01:00 AM EST on Sunday, March 20, 2005

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

PROVIDENCE -- The Toll Gate Titans made history a year ago by ending Mount St. Charles' 26-year reign as state hockey champion. Last night, they put the icing on the cake by successfully defending their state crown.

In what may have been one of the most lopsided games in championship play history, Toll Gate dismanted Bishop Hendricken, 9-1, at Schneider Arena and swept the best-of-three Blue Cross/Blue Shield R.I. Interscholastic League Coaches Association state title series.

The Titans explosive offense was lead by senior Dean Smith's five-point performance, that included four goals and one assist. Senior captain John Cavanagh added two goals and two assists, while assistant captain Patrick Aldridge contributed seven assists.

"To end the streak against Mount St. Charles," said Toll Gate coach Will Parker, "and then to come back the next year and beat your city rival, you can't ask for anything more than that. It took us a little while to get going, but once we got the first and second goal, we were a team that was on a mission. And we were rolling."

A quick glance at the Division I regular-season scoring leaders will not show Smith's name among the top 10. No big deal, because Smith showed up when it counted.

"He had a career night," said Parker. "What more can you say about a senior, who has progressively gotten better every game he's played. To walk out of here with four goals in a state final game is something he'll remember forever."

Smith certainly couldn't believe the game he had to end his scholastic career.

"It was an unbelievable night," he said. "I just got the bounces. My teammates set me up with some great passes, and I just happened to be in the right spot at the right time."

Because of the potent offense, twice is certainly a charm for the Titans.

"It's unbelievable," said Smith. "To end Mount's streak was incredible, but this is just as good to win two in a row. I can't describe it."

The end result was quite different from how the game began.

The Hawks controlled the play early in the opening period, until the Titans unleashed a barrage of offense. Toll Gate scored five unanswered goals in the first period, including Smith's hat trick.

Smith's first goal came at 4:55 of the first period and gave the Titans a 1-0 lead. Smith collected the rebound off a John Cavanagh shot and beat Scott Hefferman. Toll Gate added its second goal at 9:19 when Rinn beat Hefferman to the top right corner, and John Cavanagh notched his first of the game at 12:22 for a 3-0 advantage.

Just 27 seconds later Smith netted his second of the game and that's when the Titan faithful began to chant "We want Mount." Smith recorded his hat trick at 14:15 to give Toll Gate a 5-0 first-period lead.

The Hawks' Connor Moore put Hendricken on the board early in the second, scoring at 2:47. But, the Titans' relentless attack could not be halted.

Smith scored his fourth of the game, again off a rebound, at 4:50 of the second, before Jeffrey Scott notched a power-play goal at 8:16 and John Cavanagh added a short-anded bid at 11:58 for an 8-1 lead.

The Hawks were issued a penalty at the end of the second period and Toll Gate quickly capitalized at 1:24 of the third when Labella scored his first of the game for a 9-1 lead.

Despite the loss, the young Hendricken squad gained valuable experience from this season.

"I'm tremendously proud," said Hendricken coach Jim Creamer. "It got away from us, but we played tremendously well the first six minutes. We're exceptional young (only three seniors) and this was a great experience for the kids coming back. I'm proud of their effort."

Toll Gate 5 3 1 -- 9

Hendricken0 1 0 -- 1

First period -- TG, Smith (J. Cavanagh, Aldridge) 4:55; Rinn (D. Cavanagh, Visinho) 9:19; J. Cavanagh (Smith, Aldridge) 12:22; Smith (Labella, Aldridge) 12:49; Smith (D. Cavanagh, Aldridge) 14:15. Penalties -- TG 2-4; H 1-2.

Second period -- H, Moore (Cardullo, Ruggiero) 2:47. TG, Smith (J. Cavanagh, Aldridge) 4:50; Scott (Labella) 8:16 (pp); J. Cavanagh (Aldridge, D. Cavanagh) 11:58 (sh). Penalties -- TG 2-4; H 3-6.

Third period -- TG, Labella (J. Cavanagh, Aldridge) 1:24 (pp). Penalties -- None.

Saves -- Scott, TG, 19; Hefferman, H, 12; Leahey, H, 6.