Westfield’s Connor Sullivan attempts to steer the puck past Longmeadow goalie Omar Natour, right, during the 2013-14 regular season. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
SPRINGFIELD – The weather might be turning cold, but the action is about to heat up on the ice.
High expectations abound for the Westfield High School boys’ ice hockey team. The Bombers are seeking their third straight Western Massachusetts Division 3 title, and 10th in 14 years.
“We’ve got a target on our backs,” said Westfield head coach C.B. “Moose” Matthews. “They’re out to shoot us down. It will be fun for spectators, kids, and everybody.”
While the opposition will be gunning for the Bombers, it will be the Westfield defense – led by seniors Craig Lacey and Sam Evans, and sophomore Sean Moorhouse – tasked with shutting them down.
Senior goalie Garrett Matthews replaces starting goaltender Matt Blascak, who graduated last spring.
Westfield’s Chris Sullivan controls the puck against Shrewsbury. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
“We’ve got a good bunch of kids – quite a few young ones and a number of veterans, seniors who will be a plus,” coach Matthews said.
Chris Sullivan, Chris Gentile, and Mario Metallo are expected to form a solid first line, according to Matthews. Connor Sullivan is expected to lead the way on the second line.
“Connor could do it all by himself,” Matthews said. “We’re just working on getting some chemistry with the forwards. I feel we have three lines that are pretty good. We’re going to be able to score.”
Westfield’s first test comes this Thursday when the Bombers travel to West Springfield to take on the Longmeadow Lancers at the Olympia, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
For several years, Westfield and Longmeadow battled for the right to represent the western half of the state in the Massachusetts tournament. This season, the Lancers are expected to feature a younger squad.
Westfield goalie Garrett Mathews prepares to make a save against Agawam’s Seamus Curran during the 2013-14 Western Massachusetts D3 championship at the Olympia in West Springfield. Matthews and the Bombers are preparing for another strong run from the Brownies this season. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
“You can always count on Longmeadow to be there,” Matthews said. “They’re not going to be an easy game. They’re always going to be there.”
After the holidays, fans will get the opportunity to feast on a matchup between Westfield and Agawam.
Last season, Westfield and Agawam waged some bruising battles, including one in the penultimate game of the season. The Bombers rallied from a 2-goal deficit in the WMass title game, scoring three unanswered goals to cap a thrilling 6-4 come-from-behind victory over the Brownies.
With a solid nucleus returning, Agawam is expected to challenge Westfield for the WMass title again.
“We’re expecting (Agawam’s) our competition,” Matthews said, “but you never know. You can never count anybody out.”
The question remains – will someone block the path to a Westfield 3-peat? That answer is about to take shape.
Said Matthews: “It’s going to take a lot of luck … dedication … and the bounce of the puck.”
