Watertown (14-9-1) will face the winner of Tuesday’s different semifinal between No. 1 Norwell and No. 4 Sandwich.
On the profitable objective, Andrade began the play within the defensive zone by chipping the puck out to Alec Banosian on the blue line. Banosian rushed up the left wing, round a fallen Stoneham defender after which reduce tight to the left put up. His preliminary shot was stopped, however Andrade was in the correct spot to knock dwelling the rebound.
“It simply popped out fast, so I wished to shoot it fast, as a result of the goalie wasn’t prepared for it,” Andrade mentioned.
After Banosian and Stoneham’s Jack Heneghan traded objectives within the opening half of the primary interval, Watertown struck for a pair 53 seconds aside. Banosian (two objectives, help) adopted up after Anthony Venezia misfired on a shot, then Michael Cormier took a go within the excessive slot and wristed it dwelling to make it 3-1 after one.
Stoneham (15-9) got here out blazing within the second interval and pulled even on objectives from Kolby Horgan on a rebound at 9:35, and Danny Storella (objective, two assists) on a 2-on-1 rush at 12:11. The Spartans actually cranked up the stress the remainder of the interval, however junior goalie Casey Williams (28 saves) and the Watertown protection have been capable of forestall additional injury going into the third.
“We wanted to erase that second interval,” Vlachos mentioned. “They did an excellent job getting again into the sport, nevertheless it was tied. We mentioned to [the players], whoever received that quarter-hour was going to get to the Backyard. They have been able to go.”
Watertown final performed on the Backyard in 2015, however skilled a bumpy street since, together with a quick stretch when low numbers led to the Raiders taking part in a JV schedule for one season.
“I’m excited. It’s been a dream of ours since, I can’t even bear in mind,” Andrade mentioned. “I’m simply excited to get it completed. Let’s go on Sunday.”
Division 3 State
Marlborough 3, Lynnfield 2 — In a sport that featured a number of the high scorers within the state on each side, it was Noah Lind who made the distinction for the Panthers.
The senior ahead scored the eventual profitable objective 58 seconds into the third interval to raise the top-seeded Panthers previous the No. 4 Pioneers at Tsongas Heart.
Lind’s objective got here moments after Lynnfield goalie Phineas Mitchener stoned Marlborough’s dynamic Marcus Chrisafideis on a breakaway within the opening 30 seconds of the third. Skating into the zone, Lind obtained to the highest of the left circle and appeared to make use of a defender as a display screen earlier than flipping a wrister contained in the far proper put up.
“That would have been a giant momentum swing for [Lynnfield],” Marlborough coach Mike O’Brien mentioned. “Then Noah comes proper again … Any feeling of perhaps a letdown for us with Marcus lacking that, immediately became a optimistic for us.”
Chrisafideis, who had a five-goal sport earlier within the event and entered the evening with 36 this season, actually did his share of the injury. He mixed with Jeremy Lacroix and Mark Evangelous for a pair of objectives 1:54 aside late within the second because the Panthers (21-1-1) erased an early deficit and took a 2-1 lead into the third.
“Marcus has been nice all yr,” O’Brien mentioned. “Tonight you noticed, they have been attempting to concentrate to him, however Marcus is a extremely good hockey participant. He’s sensible, he might not be the most important participant, however he is aware of the place to go. He scored two actually hard-working objectives.”
Lynnfield (19-4-1) responded to Lind’s objective as Will Steadman banged one dwelling from the doorstep with 11:47 to play. The Pioneers had two energy performs within the ultimate 5 minutes, however couldn’t get the equalizer. Tyler Scoppettuolo gave Lynnfield the lead after one interval when he crashed the online and knocked dwelling a feed from his brother Jarett.
“These guys actually imagine in themselves, imagine of their teammates,” O’Brien mentioned. “They haven’t panicked but, which is an effective factor.”
Jim Clark will be reached at jim.clark@globe.com.