Arlington Men’s Hockey Scores Long-Awaited Victory Over Pope Francis In Spectacular Late Comeback

“[Russell] slipped it to me and I did the job,” Hirsch said. “It’s a very good feeling.”

The other three goals came on the power play. Senior Brendan Flynn took a stealth feed from Fecteau with 1:34 left in the first to put Arlington (9-1-1) in the lead, but rookie Bryce Russ tied Pope Francis (5-3-0) with 14.9 seconds left in the period.

It stayed that way until the third when rookie Matthew Bolduc gave Pope Francis a 2-1 power-play lead with 5:39 left.

“I said [Pope Francis coach Brian] Foley after the game, it wouldn’t have mattered when they were up 2-1, it was just a really good high school hockey game,” Arlington coach John Messuri said. “Obviously we’re delighted to come out on the winning side, but both teams played very well.”

Junior Jake Davies made 18 saves for Arlington.

Although there were only 11 players left in total for both sides from two seasons ago, when the teams shared the Super 8 championship after the state finals were canceled at the start of the pandemic, the incentive stayed Wednesday night.

“It was a big win,” Hirsch said. “I think two years ago when they couldn’t play in [TD] Garden, it was a very big match for the whole program.

Burlington 1, Watertown 0 — Senior goalkeeper Chris Bosby recorded 23 saves for his first college shutout and senior captain defender Anthony Androlo scored the only goal 2:27 into the third period in the Middlesex League victory for the Red Devils (2-6- 1).

Cambridge 3, Methuen 0 — Special teams ended up making the difference in the third meeting of the season between Dual County/Merrimack Valley 3 rivals Cambridge and Methuen. Senior Chris Gould and sophomore Jack Toner scored at both ends of a 5-for-3 power play in the second period, and Cambridge junior defenseman and goaltender Oliver Ransom did the rest at the Simoni Memorial Rink . Ransom finished with 24 saves for the Falcons (6-2-4), who killed all six power play Rangers (8-3-2), including a 5-on-3 lasting 1:26 early in the game. third period. Senior Caleb Jaffe scored Cambridge’s final goal with 2:37 to go. Teams have battled for a tied pair before in the space of six days in December, including in the First Responders Cup championship match at Simoni (won by Methuen in a shootout). Junior Noah Page made 20 saves for the Rangers.

Catholic Memorial 4, Catholic Malden 3 — The Knights (8-1-1) survived a late push from Malden Catholic (4-4-0) for the Catholic Conference victory at Warrior Ice Arena. MC struck first in the second period on a shorthanded goal from Joe Gaffney. With one second left on the power play, sophomore Connor Fryberger tied the game at 1-1 with a pass from rookie Matt Harvey. Evan England put CM in the lead with a shorthanded shot to end the period. Early in the third, James Koo pushed the lead to 3-1. Gaffney answered for the Lancers. But that was short-lived, when captain Ty Magliozzi gave CM a 4-2 lead. Seamus Condon scored with 25 seconds left for the 4-3 final. “We’re 2-0-1 in the Catholic Conference, and every game in this conference will be close,” CM coach Larry Rooney said. “We had to make do, and it was nice to finally have our whole team back and healthy,” Catholic Memorial coach Larry Rooney said. Second-year guard Nick Hubbard (39 saves) has been sensational for MC. “Despite losing one-goal games, one common constant is that our efforts have been there,” said MC coach Chris Kuchar. “We had a few breakdowns, and in the Catholic Conference, breakdowns are what cost team games.”

Central Catholic 4, Chelmsford 3 — Andrew Duval scored the winner in overtime on a pass from AJ Songin in the MVC/DCL 1 win for the Raiders (4-3-1) at Icenter.

Framingham 6, Newton North 1 — Sophomores Robbie White, Brendan Peck and Jeremy Auren scored their first college goals as the Flyers (2-3) cruised to the Bay State Conference victory at John A. Ryan Skating Arena.

Franklin 7, Taunton 1 — Senior Christian Shabbick had a hat trick, second Ben Paterson had four points (1 goal, 3 assists) and senior Dylan Marchand added two goals to lead the Panthers (8-5) to a Hockomock victory League against the Tigers.

Norwood 10, Dover-Sherborn/Weston 2 — Junior Ben McDougal scored his first college goal as the No. 13 Mustangs (7-2) edged past the Raiders in a Tri-Valley League victory at the Skating Club in Boston.

Waltham 3, Andover 0 — Senior goaltender Jack Perry stopped 26 shots for the Hawks (5-2-1) in the MVC/DCL 1 win at the Valley Forum.

Wellesley 2, Belmont 0 — Junior goaltender Reagan O’Neil made 14 saves to secure the Raiders’ non-league victory (4-1-2).

Whitman-Hanson 7, North Quincy 2 — Senior goaltender Erik Dean made 29 saves to lead the Panthers (6-4, 4-3) to a Patriot League win at Quincy Youth Arena.

Jim Clark also reported from Cambridge. Sarah Barber, Ethan McDowell, Joseph Pohoryles and Vitoria Pojoe contributed to this story. To report scores, call 617-929-2860/3235 or email hssports@globe.com. Tweet tag @GlobeSchools.

Jim Clark can be contacted at jim.clark@globe.com.