Tom Mulherin’s high school hockey crystal ball

This is always a special time of the year in Hockeyland.

School breaks are starting. Families and friends get in some extra time together for the holidays. Holiday tournaments, good-hearted competition, food drives, toy drives, Hockey Fights Cancer fundraisers, well wishes – Hockeyland is ripe with it all. Showing that, at the end of the day, the hockey community is all in the same boat, together.

We got another reminder of it Sunday night, when posts flooded social media in mourning of King Philip girls hockey head coach Ken Assad, who tragically passed unexpectedly at age 60 on Sunday morning.

The Warriors had just moved to 3-0 on the year the night before, which Assad praised his team for, as he always did. His preparation, dedication, passion, support, leadership, inspiration, competitiveness, mentorship and caring aren’t lost on the hockey community, and it’s here to help celebrate and mourn Assad for all he brought to high school hockey and those around him.

Rest in peace, Ken.

While keeping him, his family and the programs he impacted in mind, the holiday slate is always a good one to watch out for. The crystal ball got off to a hot start in its opening week, losing just twice and previewing seven games decided by one goal or less. Though there was still some rust, previewing three games decided by three or more goals, and one game that was scheduled for a different day.

We look to tighten the margin this time, and there’s an extra game in this week’s crystal ball to make up for missing one last week.

As a reminder, the crystal ball highlights games to watch out for in the week, aiming to correctly predict the winner, but is more-so focused on previewing close or meaningful battles. No team has more than one game previewed in the same week, with special exceptions.

This is not one of them. Here we go …

LAST WEEK’S RECORD: 9-2-2

OVERALL: 9-2-2 (.769)

AVERAGE MARGIN: 1.77 goals

**PREDICTED WINNERS in ALL-CAPS**

BOYS

MONDAY

WESTWOOD at King Philip, 6:10 p.m. – A hot start turned scorching when Westwood (3-0) edged reigning Div. 3 state finalist Medfield in overtime Saturday. The turnaround is a Warriors (2-0) group coming off an overtime win over another Tri-Valley League foe (Hopkinton). A Westwood win would be its best start in the power rankings era.

TUESDAY

Scituate at MARSHFIELD, 4 p.m. – None of the last four matchups between these Patriot League powers have been separated by more than one goal, with the Sailors going 2-1-1 against the Rams since 2021. Scituate (3-0) again looks like a threat to win the head-to-head, but Marshfield (2-0) has rolled over competition early and will be hungry to take this year’s round.

FRIDAY

Winthrop at HANOVER (Michael Giordano Christmas Classic at Murphy Rink), 2 p.m. – This matchup loses a bit of its bite with Hanover (3-0) no longer in Div. 4, but it’s still a great measuring stick for both. Winthrop (3-1) won this holiday tournament in 2023, beating Hanover in the championship. Hanover already won the Gormley Cup to kick off its season, looks to go 2-for-2 in tournaments so far this year. Winner gets the winner of Boston Latin-Lynnfield, which should also be a great matchup (noon).

BC High at ST. JOHN’S PREP (Peter Frates Winter Classic at Essex Sports Center), 3:20 p.m. – It’s the same three core goals for St. John’s Prep (1-0-1) every year – win the Frates tournament, take the Catholic Conference and win the state championship. It has BC High’s (1-1) number in this matchup over the last two years, and is off to a strong start despite many in new key roles. Never count out BC High and the Catholic Conference parity, though. Winner gets the winner of Pope Francis-Central Catholic (1:10 p.m.) in the championship.

SATURDAY

Xaverian at Archbishop Williams (SS Holiday Classic at Pilgrim Arena), 2 p.m. – An experienced Hawks (2-0) attack is clicking with 16 goals already, but could be challenged by freshman goalie Austin Gaylord coming off a standout showing against Canton on Saturday (32 saves). It’s a meeting of major Div. 1 threats, with potential for big implications. Winner gets Hingham or Braintree (4 p.m.) in the tournament championship.

Lincoln-Sudbury at WALTHAM, 5 p.m. – Chris Maguire took over for father John Maguire behind the bench for Waltham, and it’s off to a 3-0 start. Mike Cipriani took over at Lincoln-Sudbury, and it’s off to a 3-0 start. The Hawks’ experienced defense will need to find a way to slow L-S down, which has 17 goals across its first three games. Good MVC/DCL crossover matchup between two programs with a chance to further make their mark under new regimes.

SUNDAY

St. Mary’s of Lynn at CATHOLIC MEMORIAL (William Hanson Tournament at Warrior Ice Arena), 8 p.m. – The defending Div. 1 state champions remain unbeaten (2-0-1), allowing just two goals as defense continues to flourish. Across 10 periods so far (one overtime), nine have been shutouts. St. Mary’s (2-1) looks to change that coming off a 4-2 loss to Archbishop Williams.

GIRLS

TUESDAY

SHAWSHEEN/BEDFORD/LOWELL at Andover, 7:10 p.m. – After thriving in their debut season in the MVC/DCL Small last year, the Rams (2-0) added more crossover matchups with the Large division as they continue their growth. Stars Becca Sobol and Violet Lorusso could put them over the top in what would be a notable win for the program, though Andover presents a challenge coming off a 4-0 loss Saturday.

SATURDAY

METHUEN/TEWKSBURY at Winchester, noon – Several coaches said in the preseason that Winchester (2-1), which skates hard and uses its tenacity and defense to outlast teams, is a team they don’t want to match up with in the state tournament. It challenges a perfect start for Methuen/Tewksbury (3-0), which hasn’t allowed a goal yet this year.

Nauset at HPNA, 2 p.m. – HPNA (2-0-1) seems to have picked up right where it left off from last year’s trip to the Div. 1 Final Four, topping signature threats Bishop Feehan and Billerica/Chelmsford before NDA (H) rallied to tie it. It’s been a rockier start for Nauset (1-2), but the Div. 2 contender is sure to bring plenty of pop to this matchup.

ALGONQUIN at Shrewsbury, 5 p.m. – A young Shrewsbury (1-0-1) has handled the start of the year well, showing it could be ready to build momentum against an unbeaten Algonquin (3-0).  Slowing down the Titans’ attack will be key, as they’ve scored at least three goals every game so far.

MILTON at Bishop Feehan (Tenney Cup at The Bog), 1 p.m. – Perhaps the best in-season tournament in girls hockey kicks off with a battle of heavyweights. Milton (2-0) gets its biggest challenge yet, coming off its trip to the Div. 2 state final. It’s otherwise rolled, but star-studded Bishop Feehan (1-2) has been battle-tested every step of the way thus far as it looks to build into a Div. 1 force.

HINGHAM at Malden Catholic (Tenney Cup at The Bog), 3 p.m. – Much of the Div. 1 title conversation has flowed through Malden Catholic and defending state champion Hingham, even though both lost signature firepower from last year. There’s still plenty of pop in both lineups, though, and this one carries heavy implications early on between top-10 teams.

Notre Dame Academy (H) at ARCHBISHOP WILLIAMS (Tenney Cup at The Bog), 5 p.m. – Archbishop Williams (2-0) is another of the young but loaded powers firmly in the middle of the Div. 1 state title conversation. NDA (0-0-2) is getting its feet under it in style thus far, tying reigning finalist Bishop Stang, and scoring three third-period goals to tie HPNA. A win here would serve as major early momentum.

Sandwich at DUXBURY (Tenney Cup at The Bog), 7 p.m. – Goaltending anchored Norwell/Scituate/Abington to an upset win over Duxbury on Saturday, in a game the Dragons (4-1) felt they got some valuable lessons as they again build up toward a deep run in Div. 2. It looks to bounce back against a Sandwich (1-1) team ready to make its mark in the division race itself.