New England Prep Hockey: Dexter and Brooks battle to 1-1 tie

The swords were drawn and the battle lines distinct as these two prep heavyweights threw wave after wave of attacks against each other in a thrilling 1-1 tie.

While the fireworks would truly come on later in the game, the first period set the tone. Both teams started brightly and both were committed to playing a physical, end-to-end style that was never short on excitement. Yet, after 1 period, both teams were tied at 0.

As the second period got underway, Brooks came out the brighter side. With 20 seconds left on a power play, Brooks' Vito Bavaro found Henry Cormier who deposited the puck in the net. Brooks had the early lead and would control large swaths of the second period. Dexter goalie Nick Lanni (27 saves) was forced to make numerous high-end saves but the theatrics in net were not just confined to Dexter's #1 as Brooks' Max Prawdzik (33 saves) also kept Dexter's high-scoring first and second lines at bay.

The third period finally saw Dexter playing its best hockey. Attack after attack almost resulted in a goal but it was until Matt Brazel's slap shot that burned a hole through the net with 5 minutes left in the game that Dexter had tied things up. As the overtime period began, the game truly took on an elevated sense of purpose. Dexter looked to have won the things in overtime but Sam D'Antuono and Pat Daly's shots both zinged off the posts. Brooks also had its chances but neither team was destined to come away a winner.

Dexter goalie Nick Lanni, a senior who has really come on in recent weeks, was keen to give all the credit after the game to his teammates. Brooks coach David Ries was quick to praise the performance of his goalie Max Prawdzik who somehow kept Ryan Donato off the scoresheet.

All in all, this game had the feeling of an Elite 8 style bout. Yet, Dexter, with the tie, maintains the edge over Brooks in the race for that final Elite 8 spot. Dexter is back at things today as they host Andover while Brooks is at Middlesex.