Canton boys' hockey rolls into Division 2 championship riding 21-game winning streak
Seeded third in the Division 2 tournament, Canton rattled off its 21st straight win Sunday, edging No. 2 Woburn, 2-1, in a semifinal at Tsongas Center on goals from Cullen O'Brien and Travis Thomas. The Bulldogs (23-1-1), who will take on the Billerica/Tewksbury winner in the state final Sunday, are making their fifth trip to TD Garden since 2019.
'These kids are idols to younger players in the community,' said Canton coach Brian Shuman. 'It feeds itself. So lucky to be a part of this community of athletics.'
Final: No. 3 Canton 2, No. 2 Woburn 1
— Cam Kerry (@camkerry7)
Disaster could have struck early.
Just 11 seconds in, the Tanners (17-6-1) tallied. Freshman Jameson Needham found Jack Lee in the high slot and Lee ripped a laser over the blocker. But from there, Canton junior defensemen Will Doucette, Graidy Carr, and Teddy Shuman took over, utilizing active sticks and swift skating.
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'If you told me that we were going to lock down defensively after that first shift, I thought there would be at least a touchdown scored in that game,' said Brian Shuman. 'The guys, to their credit, overcame the shellshock of that first shift.'
The Bulldogs responded 4:15 later, with O'Brien hitting the breaks at the right dot off a clean zone entry. He uncorked a bullet over the right shoulder of Adam Gerry for 1-1.
Lowell MA 3/09/25 10SCHBHOC. Canton High's Cullen O'Brien (11) celebrates his goal against Woburn High's during first period action in their MIAA Division 2 boys' semifinals at Tsongas Arena. Photo by Matthew J Lee/Globe Staff
Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
Canton took the lead 6:50 into the second period. Thomas timed his charge until Ryan Elrick wheeled around the net and one-timed Elrick's feed into the net, set up by a clean entry from Joey Ryan to find Elrick charging in.
'Every time we're on the ice together, something happens, good or bad,' said Thomas. 'I feel like when we're playing well, we're one of the best lines in the state.'
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Connor Geoghan made 20 saves to send the Bulldogs to the Garden for the first time since 2023.
'Growing up, seeing all of these teams go to the Garden, it's a really good thing for our program,' said Thomas. 'My brother (AJ) was a senior when I was a sophomore. We went to the Garden and it was one of the best experiences I've ever had. We don't rebuild, we reload.'
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Canton's Will Doucette (left) skates away from Woburn's Finn Murphy.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
Canton goalie Connor Geoghan denies Woburn's Matt Defeo for one of his 20 saves.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
Woburn's Braedan Blake (right) hops a ride with Canton's Ben Wright.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
Canton's Andrew Gillis (right) keeps the puck away from Woburn's Luke Hughes in the third period.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
Canton's RyanElrich (left) and Joe Ryan (middle) put defensive pressure on Woburn's Jameson Needham.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
Woburn goalie Adam Gerry denies a first-period shot from Canton's Brayden Dickie.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
Travis Thomas reacts after scoring the go-ahead goal for Canton.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
Cam Kerry can be reached at
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