Corcoran guides Rebels in Super Eight opener

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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor

The nucleus of Walpole High School’s success throughout this 2016-2017 hockey season has been the play of senior goaltender James Corcoran, who recorded more shutouts (12) than goals allowed (11) during the regular season.

After allowing just one goal on 25 shots in Walpole’s 2-1 overtime victory over Catholic Memorial in the Super Eight play-in round on February 27, Corcoran again showed why he is one of the state’s best high school goaltenders on Sunday at Tsongas Arena in Lowell. The senior captain Corcoran posted 35 saves (19 in the third period) and propelled the Rebels (23-0-1) to a 1-0 victory over No. 2 seed Boston College High School in the quarterfinal series of the Super Eight, putting the Rebels just one win away from taking the best-of-three series and advancing to the Super Eight semifinals.

Despite going up against one of the state’s all-time great programs in BC High, it didn’t take long for the high-powered Rebel offense to find the back of the net in this one. With 13:20 left to play in the first period, sophomore forward Conor Foley split the defense and broke into the offensive zone on a mini-breakaway. Foley skillfully faked to his forehand and cut back to tuck the puck in on his backhand past the right pad of the BC High goaltender to give Walpole the early 1-0 edge.

Following the goal by Foley, both teams tightened up defensively for the remainder of the first period, as the game entered the first intermission with Walpole still ahead by one. The Rebels were forced to face a little adversity midway through the second period, however, when the Eagles went on the power play. Following the penalty, the Walpole penalty kill unit did a phenomenal job of getting in the way of shots and clearing the puck down the ice. BC’s one major scoring chance of the second period was turned away by Corcoran on a sprawling diving save to preserve the 1-0 Rebel lead at the second intermission.

In the third period, the Eagles showed why they were awarded the No. 2 seed in the tournament by putting together a collection of incredible scoring opportunities and sustaining prolonged offensive zone time.

Despite the puck being in the Walpole end for a good portion of the third period, however, Corcoran stood tall in net, turning away every one of BC High’s shots on goal for a total of 19 third period saves. With under a minute to play and still down a goal, the Eagles opted to pull their goaltender for the six-on-five advantage, but the Rebel defensive unit stood tall once again and was able to clear the puck out of the zone several times. With 28 seconds to play and a faceoff in the Walpole end, senior captain Owen Hunter won a draw back to the corner, where the Rebels tied the puck up along the boards and let the clock bleed out. With six seconds to play, the Rebels cleared the puck out of the zone one final time and were able to hold on for the 1-0 victory.

The win on Sunday puts Walpole up 1-0 in the best-of-three series, and at the time of print, the Rebels will look to close out the Eagles on Tuesday night in game-two at Chelmsford Forum.