For first time ever, it’s Hawks-Rams in the state hockey final

Matt Metcalf, Sports Editor
Posted 3/19/15

Bishop Hendricken and La Salle have met in several big sporting events in recent years. Typically, in the playoffs or state championship games because of the talent that teams from both schools …

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For first time ever, it’s Hawks-Rams in the state hockey final

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Bishop Hendricken and La Salle have met in several big sporting events in recent years. Typically, in the playoffs or state championship games because of the talent that teams from both schools normally possess.

But even with all of the significant games between the Hawks and Rams over the years, the two schools have never met in the state hockey final. That is, until this weekend.

In the large scheme of things, that it easily understandable, as Mount St. Charles dominated the hockey ranks for so many years, rattling off 26-straight titles from 1977-2003.

The Hawks have been in the state finals in three of the last five years, while the Rams have made it in two of the last five, but they’ve never met each other. The common denominator is that Mount had breezed into the state finals in each of the last nine seasons, until Hendricken knocked off the Mounties in the semifinals this past weekend with 6-2 and 6-3 victories.

And, just like that, the Rhode Island hockey community will enjoy a first this weekend – the Hawks and Rams in the state hockey finals.

The Hawks will be looking for their fourth state title and first since the 2011-12 season, when they defeated Mount in three games.

The Rams, on the other hand, will be looking for their seventh state title, but first since the 1976-77 season – the season before Mount’s streak of 26 state championships began.

In terms of this season, La Salle earned the top seed, winning three of the four match-ups against second-place Hendricken.

La Salle senior goaltender, Tyler Walsh, has stifled the Hawks’ offense this year, shutting them out in one win, while allowing just one goal in his other two starts, en route to an unblemished 3-0 record.

In the one game that Hendricken won against La Salle this season, Walsh didn’t play due to an illness.

Hendricken head coach Jim Creamer believes that his team stacks up well against anyone in the state, but the key to whether or not his team will be hoisting the championship trophy will be contingent on the Hawks’ ability to get the puck past Walsh.

“La Salle’s a great team and they’ve had our number a few times this year,” Creamer said. “We have to find a way to beat Tyler Walsh.”

Another key for the Hawks will be whether or not they can play discipline hockey, as they’re confident in their ability at even strength, but can get themselves into penalty trouble at times.

“We need to stay out of the penalty box because we kill ourselves sometimes,” Creamer said. “Five-on-five we can play with anybody. It’s when we put ourselves in that hole – fortunately, we don’t do it too much.”

Much like Hendricken, La Salle received a bye into the state semifinals, before sweeping fourth-seeded Smithfield to earn a berth in the finals.

Hendricken, the top offensive team in the league, will rely on its balanced attack, led by its top line of Pat Creamer, Reilly Miller and Andrew Hopgood.

Pat Creamer won the scoring title this season with 16 goals and 16 assists for a total of 32 points. Miller finished with 23 points – good for fourth in the state – and Hopgood was third on the Hawks with 16 points.

La Salle has the top goal scorer in the state this season in Joe Manown, who found twine 19 times in the regular season.

However, the Rams pride themselves on their defensive game, surrendering the fewest goals in the league – just 27 in 18 games.

Walsh is a big reason for that, allowing just 10 goals in 590 minutes played between the pipes this year, to the tune of a .962 save percentage and a microscopic 0.76 goals against average.

Jim Creamer and the Hawks will look to lean of their group of nine seniors – many of whom played in the state finals a season ago.

“We have nine seniors,” Jim Creamer said. “Seniors play well in big spots.”

Game one between the Hawks and Rams will be on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Brown, while the puck will drop for game two on Saturday at 8 p.m.

It should be a great battle between the state’s best offense and a defensive juggernaut.

The hockey community is in for a treat this weekend.

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