WA takes it one at a time.

• Position: SPORTS

Byline: Jay Gearan

COLUMN: HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY

Like the New England Patriots, the Worcester Academy hockey team hasn't lost a game yet. Asked about his team's chances for finishing unbeaten, coach Kevin Magnani laughed and said, "Well, I'm going to give you a Bill Belichick answer: We're taking it one game at a time."

So far, so very good for the 8-0-1 Hilltoppers, currently the top-ranked team in Division 2 of the New England Prep School Athletic Conference.

"We knew we were going to have a good team coming into the season," Magnani said, "but I didn't expect we would be this successful. In past years, we've left for the Christmas break with records like 1-4 or 2-5."

In their last outings before the holiday break, the Hilltoppers captured the Barber Christmas Tournament, defeating host St. Mark's, 5-0, Vermont Academy, 3-0, and Hebron, 4-1.

The Hilltoppers' top scorer is first-line center Taylor "Bubba" Larsen, a 6-foot, 165-pound postgrad from Valley Tech who played on the Grafton-Valley Tech co-op team. Said Magnani, "He's been a man among boys on the ice, outhustling everyone."

Larsen has six goals and nine assists, leading the way for his team, which is also ranked first in the Holt South Conference.

On Larsen's line, the team's No. 1 power-play line, are two skaters from Leominster, sophomore left wing Anthony Bilotta and junior right wing Cam Maillet. Both have been very effective, Bilotta with eight goals and four assists and Maillet with seven goals and nine assists.

The Hilltoppers opened in mid-November with wins over Phillips Andover, Northfield Mount Hermon and Hebron. A 3-3 tie with Kents Hill followed, and then came three more successive wins over Pingree, New Hampton and Berwick.

About the New Hampton victory, a 2-1 decision, Magnani, now in his third year, said, "That game kind of defined us as a team. We played poorly, but still found a way to win. In just about every game the second period is when we really turn it up. Then we stay in the lead."

Key to the Hilltoppers' success is senior goalie Nick Blanchette from Stuart, Fla. Blanchette is the leading Division 2 netminder, logging 456 minutes with 244 saves and a .956 save percentage.

"Nick is the real foundation of our team," Magnani said. "He's a veteran, having started 23 of our 25 games a year ago."

The Hilltoppers' top defenseman is senior Alex Essaris, a 5-10, 180-pounder from Dollard-des Ormeaux, Quebec.

Said Magnani, "Alex is one of those offensive defenseman...