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Division 3 state boys hockey final

Dillon lifts Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury7
Hanover1

Matt Dillon was a defenseman for the first three quarters of the season. Despite playing mostly on the back end, the sophomore was Shrewsbury’s leading scorer.

So when the Colonials needed an offensive spark up front following a loss to Leominster in late January, the sophomore made the switch to forward.

“We were having a little trouble with goal scoring . . . so we decided to shake things up,” said Dillon. “We started doing good, so we just rolled with it. It ended up working out in our favor.”

It sure did.

Dillon registered a goal and five assists to lead Shrewsbury over Hanover, 7-1, for the Division 3 state hockey title Sunday at TD Garden. The Colonials (21-2-1) finished on a 12-game unbeaten streak to capture their first state championship since 2009.

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“[Dillon] does the same thing from the defensive position as he does on offense,” said Shrewsbury coach Stephen Turnblom. “He’s just an incredibly talented kid who sees the ice. He’s been doing it all year long from Game 1.”

Facing their first deficit of the postseason following a goal from Hanover’s Matt McDougall at 5:26 of the first period, it was Dillon’s slick playmaking ability that turned things around for Shrewsbury.

Dillon, who registered 55 points in the regular season, was charging hard to the net and delivered a behind-the-back pass to linemate Dan Quinlivan (goal, two assists), who tied the game at 10:06.

Just 54 seconds later, Cole Vincequere gave Shrewsbury a 2-1 lead on a wrister from the right point that was assisted by Dillon and Jack Quinlivan (two goals, two assists).

Dillon continued his torrid scoring pace with a helper on a Jack Quinlivan goal with one second remaining in the opening period.

“That was huge,” said Turnblom, whose team outshot Hanover, 18-5, in the first, 35-14 for the game. “We were down, 1-0, it was 2-1, and you get that one with one second left. That was huge, that was a backbreaker. It gave us a good shot going into the second period with momentum.”

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The energy did carry over — senior Dave Belbin increased the lead to 4-1 only 31 seconds into the period with a wrist shot from the left circle, assisted by Dillon.

Dillon made it 5-1 at 4:29 when he dangled through the slot and fired a shot off a Hanover defenseman and past goalie Noah Clapp (28 saves). Dillon then assisted on Jack Quinlivan’s goal at 12:11 of the second.

Freshman Matt Ward capped the Colonials’ scoring 2:57 into the third.

Hanover finished 18-8-0.

“It feels incredible,” said Dillon. “It didn’t hit me until after the game. I was looking around in the Bruins’ rink. It was just awesome to have that accomplishment for myself, but most importantly for my team to get the state championship.”