N. BILLERICA--Tonight, through our partnership with the NFHS Network, My Hockey Live will be broadcasting a pair of Division 1 North first round games. Here's all you need to know about the four teams.
Game 1: No. 8 Belmont Marauders vs. No. 9 St. John's Prep Eagles, 5 p.m.
Winner faces No. 1 Austin Prep in Quarterfinals, Saturday
Previous meeting: N/A
Common opponents: Woburn, Catholic Memorial
Belmont Marauders (10-7-4, 7-6-2 Middlesex League)
Finished in fourth place in Middlesex League - Liberty Division, 16 points
Goal differential: plus-11 (55-44); nonleague differential: plus-7 (14-7)
Last postseason appearance: 2011 (Lost vs. Wakefield, 4-1, in Div. 1 North first round)
MHL RPI: 31
Streak: Tied 1
Last game: Tied @ Woburn, 3-3, Feb. 20
Biggest win: 6-1 vs. Woburn, Feb. 8
Worst loss: 6-1 vs. Arlington, Jan. 4 & Feb. 4
Best win (RPI): No. 26 Winchester, 4-1 on Jan. 14
Roster breakdown: Seniors-7 Juniors-13 Sophomores-3 Freshmen-1
Leading scorer: N/A
Last state championship: None
St. John's Prep Eagles (11-7-2, 2-5-1 Catholic Conference)
Finished in fourth place in Catholic Conference, 5 points
Goal differential: plus-32 (66-34); nonleague differential: plus-40 (56-16)
Last postseason appearance: 2016 (Lost in Super Eight Championship Game, 2-1 (OT) vs. Malden Catholic)
First appearance in Division 1 North bracket since 2010
MHL RPI: 14
Streak: Won 6
Last game: Won vs. Xaverian, 3-2, on Feb. 24
Biggest win: 9-0 @ St. Peter-Marian, Jan. 12
Worst loss: 4-0 @ BC High, Jan. 18
Best win (RPI): No. 15 Braintree, 4-1, Feb. 22
Roster breakdown: Seniors-10 Juniors-9 Sophomores-1 Freshmen-6
Leading scorer: Kyle Hentosh, Sr. F (6-17--23)
Last state championship: 2015 (Super Eight)
Totals state championships: 3
Game 2: No. 7 Waltham Hawks vs. No. 10 Arlington Catholic Cougars, 7 p.m.
Winner faces No. 2 Burlington in Quarterfinals, Saturday
Previous meeting: Feb. 24, 2016 (Tied, 1-1)
Common opponents: Billerica, Matignon
Waltham Hawks (11-6-4, 4-5-3 DCL/MVC 1)
Finished fourth in DCL/MVC 1, 11 points
Goal differential: plus-14 (58-44); nonleague differential: plus-19 (33-14)
Last postseason appearance: 2016 (Lost vs. Andover, 1-0, in Div. 1 North first round)
MHL RPI: 24
Streak: Tied 1
Last game: Tied vs. Wellesley, 3-3, on Feb. 22
Biggest win: 7-1 @ Matignon, Dec. 30
Worst loss: 7-2 vs. Marshfield, Dec. 21 & 5-0 vs. Andover, Dec. 31
Best win (RPI): No. 25 Falmouth, 1-0, Jan. 16
Roster breakdown: Seniors-7 Juniors-9 Sophomores-3 Freshmen-3
Leading scorer: Andrew Miller, Jr. F (12-6--18)
Last state championship: 2002 (Division 1)
Arlington Catholic Cougars (10-7-4, 6-4-0 Catholic Central 1)
Finished third in Catholic Central 1, 12 points
Goal differential: plus-2 (45-43); nonleague differential: plus-2 (25-23)
Last postseason appearance: 2016 (Lost vs. St. Mary's Lynn, 3-1, in Div. 1 North finals)
MHL RPI: 20
Streak: Lost 1
Last game: Lost vs. BC High, 4-2, on Feb. 23 (Buddy Ferreira Classic Championship Game)
Biggest win: 5-1 @ Matignon, Jan. 30
Worst loss: 4-0 @ Austin Prep, Dec. 28
Best win (RPI): No. 12 St. Mary's Lynn, 3-2, Dec. 17
Roster breakdown: Seniors-12 Juniors-6 Sophomores-3 Freshmen-3
Leading scorer: Mason Beecher, Jr. F (8-9--17)
Last state championship: 2010 (Division 1)
Total state championships: 4