Three-Goal Run Leads St. John's Prep past Burlington in Super 8

By Mike Abelson (@ABELS0N)

Lowell, Mass. - Despite trailing twice, and giving up a major penalty, St. John’s Prep did what it had to do down the stretch to defeat Burlington, 5-3, in the opening round of the Super 8 tournament at Tsongas Center.

The Eagles scored the final three goals of the game, and were anchored by sophomore forward Brian Carrabes. The tying goal came off Carrabes’ stick late in the second period, and he added an empty netter with 21 seconds left to put a bow on the victory.

“I think all the guys on the team were all in tonight,” Carrabes said. “We knew Burlington was really physical and we respect them. Everyone in the locker room had to give it their all tonight to get the W.”

Prep struck first with a goal off the stick of David Sacco, but less than three minutes later Sacco was called for a contact-to-the-head penalty that sat him for 15 minutes and gave the Red Devils a five-minute power play.

With the extra man the Red Devils found their mojo. First it was senior Andrew McDonough tying the game for Burlington and junior C.J. Martin followed 2:15 later with a laser wrist shot into the top corner.

Despite falling behind, the Eagles rebounded with a goal from senior captain Ryan Farrow in the final minute of the period.

“We got out to a great start,” Prep coach Kristian Hanson said. “I thought we were controlling play. David gets that penalty, they’re on a power play. They score twice. We come back and tie that game two. We just felt like if we kept chippin away things will be alright in the end.”

Burlington retook the lead midway through the second thanks to a goal from junior Joe Barbieri before the Eagles retook the mantel and scored the final three of the game. Carrabes’ first of the game came four minutes after the Devils retook the lead.

Despite being outshot 12-6 in the third period, the Eagles added to the lead and senior Cam Ludwig held firm in net. Ludwig finished with 27 saves and fought through Burlington traffic in front of him all game.

“We thought it was a great team win,” Hanson said. “Everyone stepped up tonight. Everybody competed tonight. It felt like we had so many missed opportunities so you didn’t know if it was going to come. The kids just kept believing and staying positive on the bench.”

Prep will get the winner of the BC-High v Pope Francis game while Burlington will get the loser in an elimination game.

“I think we have some time to recover,” Burlington coach Bob Conceison said. “We have to get the right focus going and try to play them as hard as we can play them.”