Westfield's Nick Sibilia pumps his fist after scoring the second of three goals against Ludlow in the 2010-11 Western Massachusetts Division 3 semifinal game. A similar effort against Longmeadow in this year's title game would go a long way in boosting the Bombers' chances for a second straight championship victory. (File photo by Frederick Gore)
Sibilia points WHS in title direction
By CHRIS PUTZ
Staff Writer
WESTFIELD – Westfield High School hockey forward Nick Sibilia has been playing catch-up for the Bombers for three seasons, attempting to make up for the freshman year he spent on the Cathedral High junior varsity team. Now no one can catch him.
Sibilia and No. 3 Westfield has surged into yet another Western Massachusetts Division III championship against top-seeded Longmeadow. The two teams face-off tomorrow night at the Olympia in West Springfield at 8:30.
But the sensational senior forward still has more than a point to make.
After growing up playing hockey in the Whip City, Sibilia began his high school career at Cathedral in Springfield. The one-year experiment came to a quick end when the freshman knew it just wasn’t for him.
“It was a mistake,” Sibilia said, reflecting upon his earlier playing days after practice yesterday. “I just pretend like I never went there.”
Over the course of the next three years, Sibilia would go on to build a highly successful career under the tutelage of longtime coach C.B. “Moose” Matthews, one of the region’s most respected coaches.
Last season, Sibilia helped Westfield win a Western Massachusetts Division III championship. And now, with a second title within his grasp, he and the rest of the Bombers are on the verge of something special.
Sibilia, who racked up 50 points this season, is now eight away from 100. Westfield (15-4-2) is one win away a WMass D3 title. Standing in the way of both quests is familiar foe, Longmeadow (11-6-4).
“I’m not worried about it,” Sibilia said about the 100-point plateau. “Winning (another title) is the way I want to go out.”
The Lancers are no stranger to the big dance, having won consecutive WMass titles in 2009-10 and 2005-06. The Bombers have won six of the last 10 championships (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011), including two state titles (2003, 2008).
“The playoffs are a whole different animal,” said Sibilia. “You want to be the team to make the first big hit, the first big play. The key in the playoffs is to have momentum.”
Both teams have very little trouble in gaining momentum – as the last decade proves – which makes tomorrow night’s title fight all the more intriguing.
“It’s going to be another barn-burner, up and down,” coach Matthews said. “Everybody comes pumped.”
Matthews said Sibilia often gets so amped for the game that he sometimes gets himself into a tricky situation or two, but without him the road to the championship would have been much harder to navigate.
“It’s in his makeup and character,” Matthew said of Sibilia. “He gives us his all. He’s got it. He’s our clutch player.”
It’s time to hang on for one very wild 45-minute (or more) ride.
“For the last four years, Westfield has always come all out,” said Longmeadow freshman Charlie Kelleher, who helped steer the Lancers into the D3 title game with two goals and two assists in their incredible 5-4 shootout victory over Ludlow in the semis. “Who knows what will happen?”
Said Longmeadow coach Jim Joyce: “Westfield will be well-prepared. They’re very talented. I wouldn’t be surprised if it came down to the end.”
Chris Putz can be reached at [email protected]
