Top-ranked CHS boys hockey team off to the races
By Jay Turner
The Bulldogs celebrate with their fans after Ryan Elrick’s goal against Archies on Saturday. (Mike Tureski photo)
The atmosphere was electric at Canton’s Ponkapoag Rink on Saturday as the CHS boys varsity hockey team out-dueled Archbishop Williams with a strong third period to collect their second victory of the young season in front of a raucous home crowd.
The 3-1 win was also their second in as many seasons against the Bishops, a talented Division 1 team that came into the contest ranked 14th in the Boston Globe’s Top 20 rankings. Canton, meanwhile, fresh off a dominant road win over Falmouth in their season opener, was slotted a few spots ahead in the same poll at No. 9 — the highest ranking for a D2 team and an indicator of the sky-high expectations for this year’s Bulldog squad.
Not only are they a perennial state powerhouse, but they are coming off their fifth trip to the TD Garden in the last six postseasons, are loaded with returning talent, and itching for redemption after falling in double overtime to top-seeded Billerica in last year’s state title game.
Back on the ice to headline their revenge tour are several of last year’s top producers, led by junior Ryan Elrick, who scored twice in Saturday’s win over Archie’s and already has three on the season to go along with a key assist in their previous win against Falmouth.
Senior Andrew Gillis was also a major factor in the home opener, setting up Elrick for the game’s first goal early in the second period and then burying the eventual game-winner with just three minutes left in the final frame.
Also back and making some early noise for the Bulldogs is senior Joey Ryan, one of three 40-points scorers from last year’s team along with Elrick and 2025 grad Travis Thomas. Ryan collected his first goal of the new season in last week’s opener against Falmouth, while junior Cam Guerschuny accounted for the other two scores in the 4-1 win, including the go-ahead goal late in the middle period.
Other key varsity returners for Canton include senior defensemen Teddy Shuman, Shane Kelleher, Graidy Carr and Will Doucette, who all racked up double-digit points last season, and sophomore Kellen Labanara, who registered an assist in the opener versus Falmouth.
Now 2-0, the Bulldogs will be back in action this Saturday at home against Westwood, and next week they have two key road games versus nonleague Milton and rival Franklin.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=133119
Posted by Jay Turner
on Dec 24 2025. Filed under High School, Sports.
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