Brunswick School’s hockey team is making an impressive showing at the St. Sebastian’s Tournament in Needham, Massachusetts.

The Bruins advanced to the championship game of the St. Sebastian’s Tournament by edging Northwood School in a shootout after 50 minutes of outstanding hockey from both teams. The score was tied at 2-2 after three periods, then remained knotted after a five-minute overtime period. Brunswick beat Northwood in the shootout for a 3-2 win.

The game will be counted as a tie on Brunswick’s overall record, but is recorded as a victory in the tournament scorebook. Brunswick held a two-goal lead with 18 minutes left to play in the game on two goals by senior alternate-captain (and Yale commit) Eli Friedman. Junior Drew DellaSalla was in on both tallies, while senior Hunter Spiess, who made a great headman pass on the second goal.

Northwood was relentless, however, turned the pressure up and netted a power play goal, then the equalizer with 6:17 left remaining. 

The Bruins had a power play chance in overtime, but couldn’t move the puck through the piles of snow on the ice at that point and didn’t score.

Junior Sean Gibbons was the shootout hero after the teams were tied with one goal each after the initial three rounds. 

But the game puck went, yet again, to senior goaltender Brendan Holahan, who turned a lot of heads among the numerous scouts in the building. 

Brunswick plays the hosts – St. Sebastian’s tomorrow in the tournament’s final at 3 p.m.

The Bruins topped St. Andrew’s College, 6-2, on Friday night in the opening round the St. Sebastian’s Tournament. 

The Bruins did all the little things it takes to win hockey games in this league — blocking shots, backchecking, chipping pucks out and in, and playing a deep game. 

Sophomore Tucker Spiess started the scoring in the first half, which finished with Brunswick leading 1-0. Senior Daniel Hu also had one after causing a turnover and sniping one off the rush. 

The team’s defensive corps excelled at keeping the St. Andrew’s forwards – many of whom are committed to top DI programs – at bay and to the outside, especially on the rush. 

When they did get the puck to the net (which they did a lot), senior goaltender Brendan Holahan was there to shut the door. The co-captain was exceptional, tracking the puck and eating up rebounds all night long.