Mike Iovanna's goal midway through the third period was just the edge the Lancer's needed to top BC High in the Division 1A championship game Sunday night at TD Garden. Casey Fitzgerald added an empty-net goal in the waning seconds to make a 3-1 game and give Malden Catholic its 20th win of the year and its second straight Super 8 hockey title.
The win also marked an emotional tribute to "Coach" Chris Serino, whose battle with cancer this season forced him off the bench, but his inspiration was prominent throughout the championship season.
The Lancers were rocked early when BC High's Sam Topham slipped a shot past Connor Maloney's stick side barely two minutes into the game, and the lead held through the first period. But from there, Malden Catholic asserted its dominance. With both teams playing a tight-checking, no-risk game, the Lancers pumped 17 shots at BC High goalie Peter Cronin in the second period. Only a Brendan Collier shot found home, but that tied the game at 1 each.
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Midway through the third period, Mike Iovanna cut in front of Cronin and lifted a backhander past Cronin to give Malden Catholic a 2-1 lead. The Lancer's forechecking kept any serious threats far from Maloney's crease, and Casey Fitzgerald topped the scoring with an empty net goal with seconds remaining.
Malden Catholic finished a dominant season with a 20-1-4 slate and sat perched atop the State schoolboy hockey standings all season. Now they have their second straight Super 8 trophy to prove their prowess.
