It took North Reading resident Nolan Vesey just 14 seconds to electrify the TD Garden crowd and put Austin Preparatory ahead of Malden Catholic in the Super 8 championship game on Sunday. Unfortunately for the Cougars, that lead didn't last.

The Austin Prep boys hockey team, which features four North Reading natives, took the early lead but gave up the next three goals and eventually fell, 3-2, as the Lancers won a third straight Division 1A title.

"Any time you get Vesey going to the net, he's usually going to finish," said Austin Prep head coach Louis Finocchiaro. "It was good to get it and go ahead, but we knew they weren't going to go away either, and that's what we were telling them on the bench."

Three young North Reading residents are likely to factor into Austin Prep's future plans. Bob Carpenter saw minutes at defense for the Cougars, while fellow sophomores Dan O'Toole and Mike Paglucca are also on the roster.

Though the future is bright for Austin Prep and another appearance in the Super 8 final is certainly possible, Finocchiaro said it will still be tough to say goodbye to Vesey.

"He's played for four years and he's a dynamic player," said Finocchiaro. "He's a kid that's realy skilled and he can win a game for you every night you play. When you have someone like that in your program, it's pretty special. And he's a character kid, great kid. I've enjoyed coaching him for four years."