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MIAA HOCKEY FINALS AT A GLANCE

There are 6 MIAA hockey finals Sunday at TD Garden. Here’s a look at the boys’ and girls’ matchups.

Jack McCourt (13) sent Catholic Memorial to the Division 1 title game with his tally against Pope Francis in the semifinals.Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff


Division 1 boys

Sunday at TD Garden, 1 p.m.

No. 4 CATHOLIC MEMORIAL (18-6-1) vs. No. 14 ST. JOHN’S SHREWSBURY (12-12-0)

When: Sunday, 1 p.m.

Coaches: Larry Rooney, nine season (Catholic Memorial); G. Michael Mead, 12th season as head coach, 28th season on staff (St. John’s Shrewsbury)

Player to watch/Catholic Memorial: F Luke Long (Sr.) — The senior assistant captain from Braintree has a knack for scoring in the clutch, potting several overtime goals near the end of the regular season. He owns a 17-14–31 line centering the first line.

Player to watch/St. John’s Shrewsbury: F Daniel Menyalkin (Sr.) — Committed to Bowdoin, the senior from Shrewsbury netted consecutive overtime winners to put the Pioneers on his back. With nine goals and 17 assists in 18 games, he leads the team in points and plus/minus rating (+14).

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In net: Catholic Memorial, eighth grader Jaxson Fleming (17-4-1, 1.22 GAA, .933 save percentage, seven shutouts); St. John’s Shrewsbury, sophomore Colin McCarthy (4-0-0, 1.99 GAA, .880 save percentage)

The lowdown: The most successful hockey program in state history, the Knights have a record 17 championships, with the most state title games appearances (22), and most consecutive state championships (6, from 1990-95). Aside from the contributions of dynamic senior forwards Long, Cam Reed, and Morgan Lenehan, the Knights pride themselves on their defense. Freshman Colin Yandle and sophomore Liam McKinney represent a stellar first pairing, bolstered by senior captain Seamus Tattan and junior James Baker on the second unit. The Knights have not lost a game away from their home rink of Warrior Ice Arena this season. Catholic Memorial bested the Pioneers in both of their Catholic Conference matchups, 3-1 on Jan. 8 and 4-2 on Jan. 25. Much can be made of the Pioneers limping into the tournament with a 1-9-0 record in their last 10 regular season games or calling up junior varsity goaltender Colin McCarthy for the playoffs. Junior Brady Chenevert boasts a team-leading 17 goals and is a pest around the boards and the net front. Senior captain Dom Reidy and junior Caleb Keyes have 12 goals and 10 goals, respectively. The Bisson brothers, Ryder and Kevin, bring physicality and athleticism on the backend.

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Last finals appearance: Catholic Memorial — 2010 (Super 8), 1-0 loss vs. Hingham; St. John’s Shrewsbury — 2004 (Division 1), 4-0 win vs. Framingham.

The top seed in Division 2, Billerica survived an overtime thriller against Tewksbury. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff

Division 2 boys

Sunday at TD Garden, 3 p.m.

No. 1 BILLERICA (22-1-1) vs. No. 3 CANTON (23-1-1)

Coaches: Jim Egan, 11th season (Billerica); Brian Shuman, 20th season (Canton)

Player to Watch/Billerica: F Danny Viscione (Sr.) — The Dual County/Merrimack Valley 1 Most Valuable Player produced at a prolific clip for the Indians, recording a 38-18–56 line.

Player to Watch/Canton: F Travis Thomas (Sr.) — No stranger to trips to TD Garden as a member of the Bulldogs, the center has been producing at better than two points per game this season (25 goals, 26 assists in 25 games).

In net: Canton, senior Connor Geoghan (1.10 goals against average, .910 save percentage, five shutouts); Billerica, senior Steve MacIntosh (1.67 goals against average, .920 save percentage, four shutouts)

The lowdown: If you’re going to lose a game, is it better to get that loss out of the way early, or as late as possible in the regular season? Canton is unbeaten since dropping its opener against Barnstable, 5-2; Billerica, meanwhile, was the last unbeaten team in the Division 2 ranks before a 5-1 setback in its penultimate contest of the regular season against Woburn. The Bulldogs are no strangers to Causeway Street. Canton won it all in 2019 and was declared co-champs in 2020; the Bulldogs made it back to the Garden in 2022, losing to Tewksbury, before coming back again in 2023 and downing Hopkinton. Billerica, on the other hand, will be making its first championship appearance in nearly half a century.

Last state finals appearance: Billerica — 1977, Division 2, won, 15-2, vs. St. Bernard’s; Canton — 2023, Division 2, won, 4-1, vs. Hopkinton

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Logan Poulin (34) has racked up 51 goals and 32 assists for top-seeded Nauset.Kylie Cooper for The Boston Globe

Division 3 boys

Sunday at TD Garden, 5:30 p.m.

No. 1 NAUSET (23-0-1) vs. No. 2 MEDFIELD (22-1-1)

Coaches: Connor Brickley, third season (Nauset); Jon Jepson, first season (Medfield)

Player to Watch/Nauset: F Logan Poulin (Sr.) — Quick hands are a key asset for the state’s most dynamic offensive force (51 goals, 32 assists) He is committed to play lacrosse at the University of Vermont.

Player to Watch/Medfield: D Ben Lusby(Sr.) — A threat in all three zones, the shifty blue liner tallied nine goals with 12 assists for 21 points, tied for third-most on the team. He will play lacrosse at Skidmore.

In net: Nauset, senior Zach Coelho (0.71 goals against average, 13 shutouts); Medfield, senior Charlie Duggan (1.14 goals against average, .954 save percentage, four shutouts)

The lowdown: Nauset has lost just twice since its first game of the 2023-24 season, and not at all since last year’s Division 3 final at TD Garden, a 1-0 defeat to Marblehead. Medfield’s lone loss? Nauset, 3-0, on Feb. 17. Poulin tallied once in that matchup at Pirelli Veterans Arena and linemate Colin Ward (26 goals, 13 assists) struck twice. Nauset also boasts junior Jake Eldridge (24-34–58) on its top line and a dynamic defenseman in junior Logan Miller (6-22–28). Medfield has been steadily building toward this moment, having reached the state quarterfinals in each of the last two seasons and having it all click this year under coach Jon Jepson – its third coach in as many seasons.

Last state finals appearance: Nauset — 2024, Division 3, lost 1-0 vs. Marblehead; Medfield —2016, Division 2, won, 3-1, vs. Lincoln-Sudbury

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Winthrop senior Phil Boncore was in a celebratory mood after scoring in the 5-1 semifinal win over Stoneham.Sam Hesketh/Nashoba Valley Technical

Division 4 boys

Sunday at TD Garden, 9 a.m.

No. 5 WINTHROP (15-6-2) VS. No. 6 DEDHAM (15-8-0)

Coaches: Dale Dunbar, 19th season (Winthrop); Dan Panciocco, second season (Dedham).

Player to watch/Winthrop: F Mike Holgersen (Sr.) — The captain his 100 career points in February, a highlight in a stellar four-year career. He finished the regular season with a line of 11-14–25.

Player to watch/Dedham: F Tim Holton (Sr.) — A Tri-Valley League All-Star, Holton tallied twice in the semifinals to power the Marauders to their first trip to the Garden.

In net: Winthrop, senior captain Mike Donahue; Dedham, senior captain Noel Adams

The lowdown: The only Division 4 team in the Northeastern Conference, the Vikings finished 7-2-1 in the NEC. Alongside Holgersen, senior captain Phil Boncore, sophomore Joe Pumphret, and senior Aidan Survilas carry the play. A fast and physical team, any team playing the Vikings will end up black and blue by the final buzzer. Entering the tournament on a three-game downswing, the Marauders have righted the ship, thanks to three shutouts in four playoff appearances by TVL MVP Noel Adams. Outscoring opponents 76-52 this season, the Marauders boast a balanced attack.

Last finals appearance: Winthrop ― 1976 (D1), 4-1 win, vs. Springfield Cathedral; Dedham: First appearance.

Hingham senior Caroline Doherty (right) has received a number of goal salutes this season, 40 in all for the top-seeded Harborwomen.Matthew Healey for The Boston Globe

Division 1 girls

Sunday at TD Garden, 11 a.m.

No. 1 HINGHAM (23-1-1) vs. No. 15 BISHOP STANG (18-5-1)

Coaches: Courtney Turner, third season (Hingham), Bill Theodore, 11th season (Bishop Stang).

Player to watch/Hingham: F Caroline Doherty (Sr.) — The program’s all-time leading scorer, Doherty has put together a 40-goal, 60-point season, raising her career point total to 231. Her release is elite, as the Holy Cross commit can pick out a corner from nearly anywhere.

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Player to watch/Bishop Stang: F Madisyn Blanchard (So.) — After scoring the overtime winner in the semifinals — her team-leading 13th goal of the year — Blanchard is primed for another big performance. She’s a leading member of a massive 13-player sophomore class for the Spartans.

In net: Hingham, sophomore Izzi Puleo (12-1-0 1.28 GAA, 2 SO), Bishop Stang, freshman Vivienne Melo (Bishop Stang, 12-3-1, 1.15 GAA,.952 sv%, 2 SO)

The lowdown: The top-ranked team in Division 1 for the majority of the season, Hingham had its undefeated season end on the final day of the regular season. But the Harborwomen have rallied behind the elite scoring of Doherty and a strong supporting cast featuring Addy Garrity (12 goals, 26 assists), Callie Crean (18-13—31), and defenders CC Flynn (24 assists) and Shea Richardson (8-21—29). Two and a half weeks ago, Bishop Stang had never won a playoff game. Now, after a run that includes wins over the No. 2, 6, and 7 seeds, the Spartans will play for a title. They’ve got a first line with some serious punch — Blanchard, Isa Rioux (12-13—25), and Kacey Curran (10-15—25) — and the clutch scoring of D Avery Frias (10-4—14) in the postseason has been key. Vivienne Melo has delivered massive performances in net this tournament, including shutouts vs. Notre Dame (Hingham) and Bishop Feehan.

Last finals appearance: Hingham — 2011 (D1), beat Acton-Boxboro, 3-1. Bishop Stang — First appearance.

Freshman goalie Caera Hart has been a savior for Milton.Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff

Division 2

Sunday at TD Garden, 7:30 p.m.

No. 6 MILTON (20-3-2) vs. No. 13 MEDFIELD (15-7-2).

Coaches: Matt Lodi, sixth season (Milton); John Summers, third season (Medfield).

Player to watch/Milton: F Sabrina Stone (Jr.) — In the state semifinal against Marshfield, the junior came through with the tying goal with 3:48 remaining in regulation and then delivered the winner in double overtime. She leads the team with 27 goals and 43 points.

Player to watch/Medfield: D Parker Kathan (Fr.) — A smooth-moving skater and offensive weapon from the blue line, the freshman is second on the Warriors in both goals (12) and points (26).

In net: Milton, freshman Caera Hart(19-3-2, 1.82 GAA, .917 save percentage, five shutouts); Medfield, junior Kamryn Perachi (15-7-2, 2.40 GAA, three shutouts)

The lowdown: Both of these teams have used a similar formula to reach the summit: Strong team defense, stellar goaltending, and just enough scoring at opportune times. Summers described Perachi as “our MVP,” and the junior netminder has allowed just three goals in four postseason games and posted two shutouts — including a 29-save effort against top-ranked Westwood in the semifinal upset. Other top forwards include senior captains Maeve Kelly (11-13—24) and Brooke Reilly (13-15—28), and Kathan provides a scoring punch on the blue line. Another X-factor is freshman Annie Flippo (7-5—12), who returned from a broken arm injury in the semifinal and logged a goal and an assist in her first game back. Milton has not dropped a game since New Year’s Day, and is led by the scoring trio of Stone, senior Molly Murphy (15-17—32), and junior Nayeli Thayer (9-19—28). Hart took over in net for two-time Globe All-Scholastic Lila Chamoun, but the freshman has not missed a beat. The Wildcats are also strong defensively in front of her, with a deep D-core led by senior Maggie Mullen (3-10—13), junior Emily King (1-3—4), and junior Mairin Hart (4-11—15).

Last finals appearance: Milton — 2008, 6-1 loss to Hingham; Medfield — First appearance.


Cam Kerry can be reached at cam.kerry@globe.com. Mike Puzzanghera can be reached at michael.puzzanghera@globe.com. Follow him on X @mpuzzanghera. Matty Wasserman can be reached at matty.wasserman@globe.com. Follow him @Matty_Wasserman.