Young goaltenders, veterans in close games: Hingham boys hockey rounding into tourney form

HINGHAM – We're convinced that the music blaring inside the home team's locker room at Pilgrim Skating Arena on Monday night could be heard from one South Shore town to another.

"They're really happy in there," Hingham High boys hockey coach Tony Messina said.

This season in particular has been different for Messina's Harbormen than those of recent memory.

Just past the midway point of the regular season, Hingham (8-5-1) has already suffered more losses it has in either of the past two seasons. Four of the five defeats have come by a single tally.

So, Monday's 3-1 win over Duxbury was especially sweet. It was the team's fourth win in the past five games since it started the season 4-4-1.

Back on the high side.

"Normally, beating Duxbury, they're happy," Messina said. "But I think it's more so they feel good about their effort than the win. ... We’ve played in a lot of tight games against good teams. Any time you can come out on top, and have a good third period, you feel good about it.”

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“It’s a big relief," senior defenseman Jack Rakauskas said of the recent climb. "We’ve faced a lot of adversity, and we’ve come back from it. That’s a big part of this team.”

Hingham, ranked No. 5 in the MIAA's Division 1 power rankings, suffered one-goal losses to Xaverian (MIAA's No. 3), Catholic Memorial (No. 6), Arlington (No. 7) and Andover (No. 18).

On the upswing, the Harbormen have fit in with the state's top class – as the five-time state champions always do – in the arms of a pair of sophomore goaltenders learning on the fly.

Mike Karo (0.908 save percentage, 2.03 goals-against average) was on last year's team but didn't see action until he was promoted to be the full-time starter at the beginning of this season. Back-up James Whitmore (.882 save percentage, 1.69 goals-against average) received his first career start against Duxbury on Monday and came away with his first victory.

“I didn’t know what to expect (having youth in net)," Messina said. "These guys have been really good. They haven’t faltered for many goals all year long. James deserved to start (Monday), and this was a good one for him. He obviously proved he can handle himself. I’m happy for him.”

Props to the play between the pipes – and a backline of defense headlined by Rakauskas, sophomore Sean Carroll, junior Alec Dzavik and junior Logan Brennan – only two of Hingham's 14 opponents have scored 3-plus goals in a game.

“They’re young and a little bit inexperienced, but they’re playing great. They’re stepping up to their roles," Rakauskas said. "Karo, I firmly believe is one of the best goaltenders in the MIAA. He’s playing like that, stealing games for us. And (Whitmore) is right there behind him, playing amazing. We have two goaltenders to count on, even though they’re sophomores.”

“It’s really special," Whitmore said of his rookie season. "These guys are trying to get the ultimate goal, a state championship. They’re so supportive in trying to get everyone in the groove.”

Four Harbormen have already crossed the double-digit point threshold this season. Three of them headline the dynamic first line: senior wing Paul Dzavik (11 goals, 3 assists for 14 points), senior center Travis Rugg (5 goals, 9 assists for 14 points in six games played) and sophomore wing Conal Mulkerrin (5 goals, 7 assists for 12 points).

Second-line sophomore wing Cam McKenna (5 goals, 6 assists), junior defenseman Alec Dzavik (3 goals, 5 assists) and junior defenseman Logan Brennan (2 goals, 7 assists) have also chimed in on the offensive production.

“Our first line scores a lot of the goals, but on any given night, any line can score for us. It allows us to play the better teams," Messina said. "We throw four lines out there and feel good about it.”

Last season, Hingham went 14-3-5 in the regular season to earn the No. 3 seed in Division 1 come tournament time. The team advanced after an 8-1 win over No. 30 King Philip in the first round but suffered defeat to No. 14 Reading Memorial in the Sweet 16.

Just a few weeks separates these Harbormen from a shot at redemption. The one-goal decisions this winter have been taken as an early rehearsal.

“Looking at the Top 20 teams, anybody can beat anybody," Rakauskas said. "Even in the first round of the state tournament, it’s going to be a close game, a close battle.

“We’re looking to get on a roll," he added, in regards to Monday's win. "We know we can compete with any team in the state. … Hopefully we can get a little winning streak going.”

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Overcoming tight losses, Hingham High boys hockey in state's top class