Jr. Celtics Head to Hockey Championship
By Larry Moko
Centre Mason Hunks has enjoyed a lot of success so far in his high school hockey career.
How much? Not just bits but hunks.
As a Grade 9 student last year, he helped the Bishop Ryan Celtics to a Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic junior high school hockey championship.
Earlier this season, he suited up for the senior Celtics who also captured the league title. And currently, he's the captain of BR's junior squad which defeated the St. John Henry Newman Cardinals, 4-1, in a semifinal playoff at Mohawk 4 Ice Centre Thursday.
"One more game to see if we can have back-to-back undefeated seasons," Celtics coach Jason Cannon said.
Bishop Ryan will face the St. Mary Crusaders April 29 for top honours in the five-team league.
Hunks assisted on the winning goal scored by Carter Brennan. Other BR goals went to Nolan Pond (shorthanded), Henry Barrett and Luca Moretuzzo.
Matteo Filice replied for fourth-place Newman.
"It feels great," Hunks said of BR's perfect record in junior over the past two years."The boys always work hard.
"If we play like we have been, I think we'll come out champions again."
According to Cannon, who has coached both Mason and his older brother Owen at BR, Hunks is an effective leader.
"They listen to him," Cannon said. "He does what he needs to do out there. Most of the time he's not flashy. He just does the work."
After a scoreless first period, Bishop Ryan grabbed a 3-1 advantage heading into the third.
In that final period, Moretuzzo capped the scoring with a power-play marker in the final few minutes. Of note, that goal came seconds after Ryder Drennan of the Cardinals was stopped by goaltender Liam Tocher on a shorthanded breakaway.
Said Newman coach Matt Pritchard: "It was 5-on-3. I think if that puck goes in it might have changed the game a little. Their goalie made a nice save."
Newman, 1-3 entering the playoffs, iced a lineup consisting mainly of Grade 9 players this season.
"Bishop Ryan seems to be a step ahead," Pritchard said. "They're a tough team to beat."
Cannon said against the Cardinals his speedy and aggressive team wasn't shooting as much as it usually does.
"We clawed out that victory," he said. "It wasn't a pretty hockey game.
"This year we've done a really good job of putting pucks on net. We're averaging 35-40 shots a game. But we got off that today. We weren't shooting. We were carrying the puck too long."
Goaltending and defence by BR were excellent, though, he added.
St. Mary advanced to the final with a come-from-behind 4-2 victory over the Thomas More Knights on an adjoining rink.
Noah Nevins, Lucas Wellenreifer, Lucas Hall and Nick Napoleone shared the scoring for St. Mary.
Xavier Filice and Mac Griffin answered for More.
Photos by R.F. (Bob) Butrym, RFB Sport Photography
More photos on HWCDSB Athletics Facebook Page
