LOWELL — Try as he might, Central Catholic's Cam Fisichelli could not find a silver lining.
"This was a tough, tough way to end a great season," said the co-captain. "It is so tough to go out the way we did. This game will stay with us for a while."
Despite dominating or large portions of the game, the No. 5 Raiders were eliminated from the Super 8 tournament, falling to No. 8 Winchester 2-1 yesterday afternoon at the Tsongas Arena.
It was Central Catholic's second straight one-goal defeat, following a 3-2 shootout loss to Catholic Memorial on Wednesday. CM, winners of the early game, and Winchester advance to the semifinals on Wednesday.
"I thought we played very well," said Central coach Mike Jankowski. "We had our opportunities. But we just couldn't capitalize, and they took advantage of their chances."
The Raiders outshot the Sachems 27-15 for the game, holding an advantage in every period — including 9-6 in the final period.
"We went out and played 100 percent," said co-captain Brendan McCarron. "But it didn't happen for us. We didn't get the bounces and a few calls went against us."
Central had one last golden opportunity in the final moment. After pulling the goaltender, the Raiders moved the puck twice and seemed to have McCarron open for a shot. But a Winchester defender was just able to knock the puck away.
"We had a few plays we have run that have worked throughout the year," said Jankowski. "But it didn't work today."
The Sachems jumped out quickly, scoring just 2:08 into the game on a goal by Peter Troiano.
But Central struck back just 1:10 later. Fisichelli picked up a puck near center ice, moved in and fired a slap shot past Mike Mesuri for his 10th goal of the season, to make it 1-1. The Raiders continued to apply pressure, finishing the period with 10 shots, but could not convert.
Central held Winchester to only three shots in the second, but the Sachems struck with 5:41 left in the period for the game-winner, a shot from the right circle that just beat Raiders goalie Cam Keller (15 saves).
"I think we lost a little momentum after the second goal," said Jankowski. "But the kids regrouped. We played good enough to win, but they were one goal better than us today."
Despite surrendering three power plays, including a 5-on-3 advantage, Central still held the momentum in the third. But the Raiders could not beat Mesuri, who made 26 often outstanding saves.
"He was the difference in the game," said Jankowski. "The goalie played fantastic." Central and Ashland were the only two teams in the entire state to go unbeaten in the regular season.
The Raiders closed out the season 16-2-7, the fewest losses in team history and just two wins off the school record set during their Super 8 run of two seasons ago. In each of their trips to the elite tournament, they have finished 1-2.
"I can't say enough about what the team was able to do this season," said Jankowski. "No one picked us to win the league. We have four seniors. But we kept winning and proving people wrong. People wondered if we were really that good, and we met every challenge."
Winchester 2, Central Catholic 1
Super 8 tourney, Game 3
Goals: CC — Cam Fisichell; W — Peter Troiano, Kevin Carson
Assists: W — Bobbie Leo, Pat McGoff
Saves: CC — Cam Keller 15; W — Mike Mesuri 26
Winchester (18-4-1):1âÇ1âÇ0 — 2
Central Catholic (16-2-7):1âÇ0âÇ0 — 1
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