Michael Barrett picked the perfect time to have his best game of the season. The Phillips Andover forward, a 2010-born USA National 15 Team selection and Neponset Valley River Rat, exploded for two goals and an assist as Andover cruised past St. Paul's School 5-1 in the prep playoffs on Wednesday night in Andover.
It was a slow start for Andover. St. Paul's struck first when Finian Kilbourne scored at 16:37 of the opening period to give the visitors a 1-0 lead heading into the second. But Barrett answered early in the second, scoring at 3:03 with assists from Louis-Felix Beaulieu and Jack Cannon to tie the game at 1-1 heading into the third.
The third period belonged to Andover. Zachary Fedele broke the tie just 54 seconds into the frame, and Barrett followed with his second goal at 1:53 to make it 3-1. Barrett then set up Jack O'Dell at 2:23 for his assist, giving him a three-point night and Andover a commanding 4-1 lead. Jason Faith added an insurance goal late in the period to seal the 5-1 victory.
Barrett's playoff performance was the exclamation point on what has been a strong 2025-2026 campaign. During the regular season, the River Rat tallied 20 points (8G, 12A) to finish tied for seventh among all 2010-born Massachusetts prep forwards. He was one of 12 players in the class to reach the 20-point mark and one of just eight River Rats tracked across the prep landscape this season.
With the playoff 3-point night factored in, Barrett now sits at 23 points (10G, 13A) on the season, pushing him into the conversation among the top producers in the 2010 class. For a player who was already selected to the USA Boys National 15 Team, the postseason surge is a reminder that Barrett has another gear when the games matter most.
Andover goaltender Edouard Lord was also stellar, stopping 31 of 32 shots to backstop the victory. Andover advances in the playoffs and will look to Barrett and O'Dell (1G, 2A in the win) to keep the offense rolling.
Box score via Neutral Zone.