Westfield’s Nathan Boucher (3) fired several shots at the West Side net Thursday night. It paid off – Boucher recorded his first high school career hat trick, and the Bombers blanked the Terriers 6-0 at the Olympia Ice Center in West Springfield. (Photo by Lynn F. Boscher)
WEST SPRINGFIELD – The Westfield High School boys’ ice hockey team enjoyed a much-needed breather. After a breathtaking first two periods, the Bombers let out a huge sigh in the final period.
Westfield exploded for five third-period goals en route to a well-timed, 6-0 shutout of West Springfield Thursday night at the Olympia Ice Center. Bombers’ sophomore Nathan Boucher recorded his first high school career hat trick, and sophomore goalie Cameron Parent made 18 saves.
“We had trouble scoring until tonight,” Westfield coach C.B. “Moose” Matthews said.
Westfield entered Thursday night’s contest, having blown a 2-0 lead against Minnechaug, a 3-2 loss, and tied Groton-Dunstable 1-1 three days before. The Bombers have scored just one goal in five games this season.
Westfield had scored four or more goals in just two contests – a 7-0 shutout of West Springfield on Dec. 18 and a 6-1 win over Ludlow on Dec. 20 – prior to the second meeting with the Terriers.
On Thursday night, Boucher and his teammates responded.
Liam Whitman, Max Maggipinto, and Josh Adams scored one goal apiece for Westfield.
With the victory, Westfield improved to 5-7-1 overall, 3-6 Berry Division.
“We’re really trying to get into the fourth spot,” coach Matthews said. For that to happen, the Bombers will likely need to win two of their three remaining league games against Ludlow (2-10-1, 1-6), Longmeadow (9-4, 6-1), or East Longmeadow (7-4-1, 5-1-1).
Westfield also has a tough independent slate upcoming with opponents such as Shrewsbury (Jan. 30), Wachusett (Feb. 6), Beverly (Feb. 18), and Acton-Boxboro (Feb. 26).
“We’ve got some tough sledding yet,” Mathews said, “but we’re going to keep working at it.”
The Bombers travel to the NorthStar Youth Forum in Westboro to battle Shrewsbury Saturday at 5:50 p.m.
