North All-Stars Edge South in Girls Hockey Shootout Thriller | Boston Herald

WORCESTER — Lydia Barnes, fresh off a dominant defensive performance in the Div. 1 state championship, punctuated her high school hockey career with a shootout victory Sunday at the Massachusetts State Hockey Coaches Association Senior All-Star Game at the Worcester Ice Center. The North All-Stars edged the South All-Stars 3-2 in a contest mirroring the tightly contested nature of the recent MIAA girls hockey season.

Barnes, who allowed the fewest goals in the state this year, saved all three shootout attempts, securing the win after Sam Toomey of Reading scored the decisive goal. “I definitely think it was an awesome way to head out,” Barnes said. “Playing with all these great players today, it’s definitely a great opportunity I’m so thankful for. Obviously, at (Methuen/Tewksbury), I had a pretty good couple years and I’m proud of that. I wouldn’t want it ending any other way.”

Barnes (15 saves) played across all periods, including overtime and the shootout. Marshfield’s Morgan Murphy (13 saves) kept the South in contention with a shutout third period and two overtime saves, forcing the shootout. Algonquin’s Addy Cagan (10 saves) and Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake’s Sadie Watchorn (11 saves) combined for a scoreless first period, while Medfield’s Kamryn Perachi (11 saves) conceded only one goal in the second, giving the North the lead.

The North’s offense saw contributions from Methuen/Tewksbury forward Ella Duffy, who scored a goal and Arlington Catholic’s Kailyn French, who capitalized on a deflection to extend the lead to 2-0 in the second period. Latin Academy/Fontbonne’s Gabby Romiza responded for the South, finishing a rebound to narrow the gap to 2-1. Duxbury’s Addy Harrington then tied the game with six minutes remaining in regulation.

“We didn’t get the win but it was still super fun to be with all the South Shore kids and just have fun, I had a smile on my face the whole time,” Harrington said. “This game just sums up our career. … It was a close game, but it was just, again, super fun. That was expected, honestly.”

Milton High School, recent Div. 2 state champions, was represented by Sabrina Stone, Nayeli Thayer, and Mairin Hart, with Wildcats head coach Matt Lodi leading the South team. Other schools with significant representation included Archbishop Williams, Algonquin, and Arlington Catholic.

The boys’ game, played prior to the girls’ contest, concluded with a 9-7 victory for the South All-Stars. After the North, led by Arlington Catholic’s Tyler Heldenbergh (two goals), took a 6-5 lead after two periods, the South mounted a four-goal third period comeback. BC High’s Nolan O’Sullivan (two goals), Duxbury’s Danny O’Connell (one goal, three assists), and Joe Von Handorf led the charge.

Barnstable’s Braden McCarthy (two goals), Abington’s Sam McDonald (one goal, two assists), and Hingham’s Brian Murray (one goal, two assists) also contributed to the South’s offensive surge. Arlington’s Nolan Russell, a Babson commit, had two goals and two assists for the North, assisting on Cam Petrillo’s goal just 33 seconds into the game.

“Oh it’s fun (to coach this game),” said Brian Shuman, head coach of Div. 2 state champion Canton, who coached the South team. “Once you get past the awkward silence of the first 15 minutes in the locker room, these guys start talking. They’re chatting on the bench, laughing on the bench. … Guys you’ve played against, guys you’ve watched play throughout the years. It’s a lot of fun.”

Waltham’s Max Polipas also stood out for the North with a goal and an assist. For Heldenbergh, the game offered a final opportunity to play alongside Arlington Catholic teammate Stephen Constantine. “It was fun,” Heldenbergh said. “We had a great season. Didn’t conclude the way we wanted it to. It’s nice to have something like this to come back to at the end, play with (Constantine).”

Canton defenseman Teddy Shuman scored for the South, marking his final varsity game under the guidance of his father, Brian Shuman, and adding another win to their record, including two state championships. “Still can’t believe I got to do that with him one more time,” Brian Shuman said. “I was appreciative of the (MSHCA) for providing that opportunity. It was fun watching him play one last time. It was great.”