Canton High Boys' Ice Hockey Defeats North Attleboro; Face Oliver Ames in Semifinals

It's on to the semifinals for the Canton High boys' ice hockey team after a 3-2 win over North Attleboro Saturday night at the Asiaf Rink in Brockton. The Bulldogs will now play Oliver Ames, a 3-1 win over Coyle-Cassidy in the Division 2 South semifinals, probably on Wednesday. Franklin will play Mansfield in the other semifinal game for an All-Hockomock showdown.

"I think we've got to work on tightening up defensively," said Canton High head coach Brian Shuman said. "Also e need to get more [offensive] guys in front of the net. Their goalie saw a lot of clean shots and there was no traffic in front. We need more guys in front of the net ready to get those rebounds."

Canton's Brian Brooks wrapped up the win with an unassisted goal with 1:14 left in the game for his second score of the game.

The Bulldogs started off the first period strong against North Attleboro. The Bulldogs scored first with 6:43 left in the period, with a clear shot from freshman Will Murphy, assisted by Brian Brooks.

Canton stayed strong in offense, taking 13 shots to the goal against North Attleboro’s six.

North Attleboro shot backat 4:48 remaining in the period with a shot from Mike Finn, assisted by Tim Glynn.

Canton goalie Rich Nee made a great save during a power play in the last minute and half of the period, keeping the score tied.

In the second period, Brooks scored an unassisted goal to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead with 5:47 remaining. 

After the Bulldogs scored, North Attleboro increased their intensity, shooting five times in the first four minutes of the period, but were unable to capitalize during a power play.

Nee made an amazing grab right out of the air to stop a score during that power play only minutes into the period.

North Attleboro had six shots on goal to Canton’s 14 in the second period, despite three penalties on Canton to North's two.