Super 8 Play-in Game Review: Central Catholic, Hingham Advance

Billerica, Mass. -- Hingham and Central Catholic punched their tickets to the quarterfinals of the 2016 MIAA Super 8 Tournament on Monday evening with wins over Arlington and Reading, respectively.

Junior left defenseman Marc O'Rourke scored twice for Hingham, including the game-winner to give the Harbormen a 4-2 victory over Arlington in the first game. Marshall Terres and Jack Hennessey also scored for Tony Messina's team, the defending state champion at the Division 1 level. Senior goaltender Matt Personeni was solid between the pipes. Kevin Ouellette and Mic Curran were the goal scorers for John Messuri's Spy Ponders.

The second game was a thriller, lasting past two overtimes before Sean Brown's goal in the sixth round of the shootout ended it for a 4-3 Central Catholic triumph. Junior Robert Ferreira scored twice and Brown scored a regulation tally as well for the Raiders.  Patrick Jordan, Colin Doherty and Matt Thomson scored for the Rockets.

Boston University recruit and US NTDP candidate Jake Wise, who had an assist on Brown's goal, had his moments. On the assist, he dangled through several Reading defenders before getting the puck out front for the finish from Brown. He made a few other real strong moves, showing off his hands, skating ability and offensive skill set. He also unleashed a few absolute bombs from the high slot that sailed just wide or over the net.

Thomson, a Northeastern commit, has a quick, accurate release and carries the load on his line. He made a great play, stealing a puck away from Wise at the blue line and going to the other end for a beauty shorthanded goal. He slipped a backhander through the five-hole for the finish.

ESPN Boston's Scott Barboza has a great video recap with game highlights.

Here's a look at several uncommitted prospects (in alphabetical order) who stood out on Monday evening, leaving out some of the top players that have been discussed here previously, such as Cam Gendron of Central Catholic and Gray Betts of Hingham.

Sean Brown, Central Catholic #91, Right Wing, '00 Freshman - He has good offensive skill set and drove the net. Not sure if it was injury or not, but he seemed to miss a few shifts in the third period. He had strong net drive, was strong on his skates and moves well. His move in the shootout was very simple, but it showed off his skating and hands as he quickly snapped a wrist shot into the top corner without breaking stride.

Robert Ferreira, Central Catholic #49, Center (Left Shot), '99 Junior - He was the most serious threat after the first line. The first goal he scored was on a two-on-one after his linemate took advantage of a bad turnover at the blue line. The second goal he took the time and space he got and walked out from the right corner and roofed a wrist shot.

Jack Grady, Hingham #14, Center (Left Shot), '98 Junior - Decent size, he had good speed and was quick to get in on the forecheck and in puck pursuit. He didn't do much offensively this game, but there is potential there and he should be watched closely in the quarterfinals against Pope Francis.

Frankie Higgins, Hingham #9, Center (Right Shot), '99 Sophomore - Had a good head on his shoulders, played smart and was a complete two-way center. He read plays well and made a few nice passes.

Marc O'Rourke, Hingham #6, Left Defenseman, '99 Junior - A Division I lacrosse commit to Bryant University, he was the best defenseman in the rink Monday. He has good mobility and can make quick, heady lead passes in transition. Both his goals came from wrist shots from the left side. The first one was a high wrist shot from the left point that beat a screened goaltender. The second one came when he anticipated a pass and stepped up in the neutral zone to pick it off. He came into the zone and fired a hard, low wrist shot without breaking stride. He has a good stick and recovers nicely. The one thing to nitpick was how he read plays, but that can be taught.

Johnny Pigott, Arlington #8, Center (Right Shot), '98 Junior - Out of the uncommitted players, he had the best offensive instincts of anyone on the four teams Monday night. Perfect example was the extra-attacker goal Arlington scored in the final minute. He walked the blue line and sent a purposeful shot down to the right of the goal mouth where for Mic Curran to redirect into the net. He quarterbacks the power play and is able to possess the puck for long periods of time. He's a good skater who uses his edges to increase lateral mobility. He made a great pass from the right boards up to the left wing in transition through the neutral zone. He also made a terrific move into the zone in the second period.

Kevin Tobin, Reading #29, Center (Right Shot), '98 Junior - Everyone points to him being undersized, but he's quick, gritty and has a heart of gold. The line he centered was able to minimize the impact of Jake Wise in this game. His speed created chances in transition and enhanced his ability to be solid in puck pursuit. He plays to the whistle and doesn't back down to anyone regardless of the opponent's size. The jury is still out on if he can play Division I, but he's a heck of an athlete and is a good lacrosse player as well.

Hingham Line Combinations

#27 Jeff Gordon - #9 Frankie Higgins - #8 Billy McNally
#10 Gray Betts - #14 Jack Grady - #26 Jack Hennessey
#16 Marshall Terres - #15 Avery Iaria - #3 Andrew Driscoll
#18 Jake Quilty - #11 Austin Cohen - #29 Joe Menesale

#44 Stephen Jacobs - #21 Will Jones
#6 Marc O'Rourke - #12 Tommy Kornack
#33 Caleb Woodin/#22 Joe Rooney - #7 John Lastoria

#35 Matt Personeni

Arlington Line Combinations

#4 Colin Hanley - #18 Peter Scheschareg - #13 Mic Curran
#6 Steven Liakos - #8 John Pigott - #19 Kevin Ouellette
#1 Cam Ryan/#16 John Ahern - #17 Sean Tomaszewski - #3 Dapa Conneely

#7 Jeff MacDonald - #10 Michael Addorisio
#9 Sean Foran - #5 Jeff Gorman
#2 Matt Hart

#29 Jack Pinard

Central Catholic Line Combinations

#91 Sean Brown - #87 Jake Wise (BU) - #71 Cam Gendron
#15 Chad Thompson - #49 Robert Ferreira - #21 William Winship
#14 Andrew Nadeau - #37 Noah Jankowski - #9 Joe Faro

#22 Joseph Biddle - #6 Nick Foderaro
#33 Landon Krekorian - #17 Matt Poulin
#8 Larry Galasso - #4 Steve Birch

#35 Matthew Pasquale

Reading Line Combinations

#21 James Reilly - #29 Kevin Tobin - #19 Michael Tobin
#9 Jay Gallagher - #15 Matt Thomson (Northeastern) - #10 Liam O'Neill
#20 Colin Doherty - #8 John Tierney - #14 Brendan Donaghey

#4 Jack Giuliotti/#25 Jake Conte - #6 Patrick Jordan
#23 Anthony D'Avolio - #2 Nick Tango

#1 Sean Dynan