A new year brings new opportunity, and we’re ready to turn the page from 2023 for a big rest of the season for the crystal ball.
Last week was another good rebound from the opening week’s meltdown, but there’s always room to improve whenever there is a loss. It didn’t exactly start pretty, either, with three early losses on the boys’ side, but a 6-0-1 week on the girls side made up for it.
Just as another friendly reminder, there are no repeat picks for one team in a single week. The Hopkinton, Arlington, Catholic Memorial, Reading and Xaverian boys, as well as the Duxbury and Hingham girls, are a just a few teams with multiple tough challenges this week.
Let’s kick off 2024 on the right foot:
LAST WEEK’S RECORD: 11-3-1
OVERALL RECORD: 25-16-1
**WINNERS in CAPS
BOYS
Monday
READING vs St. John’s Prep, 4 p.m. – AJ Farese’s strong Pete Frates Winter Classic showing leads into a quality goalie battle against Chris Hanifan. Advantage goes to the home team.
Wednesday
Gloucester vs NEWBURYPORT, 6 p.m. – Big-time early matchup between two Div. 2 threats. Clippers take another step forward.
Arlington vs POPE FRANCIS, 6 p.m. – Young Spy Ponders have turned heads so far, but run into a recharged Div. 1 title contender for their first loss.
Essex Tech vs TRITON, 6:30 p.m. – Vikings maintain the momentum from winning the Lions Cup against a dangerous league foe.
XAVERIAN vs Catholic Memorial, 7 p.m. – Hawks have allowed more than one goal just once so far. Attack gets what it needs to set the tone in the Catholic Conference against the reigning champs.
Saturday
NORWOOD vs Hopkinton, 4 p.m. – Mustangs maintain early lead in the Tri-Valley League Large with a signature win.
Canton vs FRANKLIN, 6 p.m. – Panthers split the regular season series with the Bulldogs.
Girls
Monday
Braintree vs NDA (H) (Tenney Cup), 6:30 p.m. – The whole Tenney Cup has been much-watch hockey, and this will be a thrilling conclusion to another big day. Hard to pick against Braintree amid its current stretch, but the Cougars get revenge to claim the championship.
Wednesday
FALMOUTH vs Sandwich, 5 p.m. – The Coach Ferreira Cup. Brian’s squad has a loaded attack that will do enough to beat his brother’s.
HINGHAM vs Malden Catholic, 6 p.m. – Lancers are off to one of the best starts in the state, but the home-team Harborwomen break Malden Catholic’s unbeaten streak behind a clutch goal.
Thursday
DUXBURY vs Andover, 7:20 p.m. – Dragons should be battle-tested after a difficult schedule in the Tenney Cup, will need that grit against a tough Andover defense.
Saturday
BOSTON LATIN vs Waltham, 2 p.m. – The Wolfpack’s streak has ended, but they get back on track against a familiar foe.
HPNA vs SHREWSBURY, 3 p.m. – Two of the state’s best goaltenders go head-to-head in a big MVC/DCL Large matchup.
Billerica/Chelmsford vs METHUEN/TEWKSBURY, 5 p.m. – Red Rangers’ returning attack has erupted as of late. No better time to prove its ability than against one of Div. 1’s best goalies.