Westfield’s Chris Sullivan, right, moves the puck against Agawam during a 2014-15 regular season matchup at Amelia Park Ice Arena. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – There is one word that accurately describes what the Westfield-Agawam high school boys’ ice hockey series has become in such a short time – “WOW!”
Early this year, Westfield stormed back from a 4-0 deficit to tie Agawam 4-4. It was a comeback of epic proportions as the Bombers rallied for four unanswered goals, all in the third period in front of a deafening sell-out crowd at the Olympia Ice Center in West Springfield.
Senior forward Chris Sullivan scored two goals in the final 3:33, including the game-tying goal with just 25.9 seconds remaining in regulation.
Some three weeks later in late January, Agawam returned the favor. The Brownies rallied for three unanswered third period goals to stun Westfield 3-1 at their hometown arena, Amelia Park. The three goals were scored in the final 11 minutes, two seconds.
“Agawam has four lines that can skate with our first or second line,” longtime Westfield coach C.B. “Moose” Matthews said Wednesday. “We’re going to have to work hard again.”
The rivals will meet Thursday night at the Olympia to determine the Western Massachusetts Division 3 championship. Game time is set for 8:30 p.m.
Westfield (14-4-3), the tournament’s top seed, earned its way to the finals by defeating fourth-seeded Minnechaug in the semifinals, 5-2. No. 2 Agawam (16-3-2) routed third-seeded Longmeadow, 7-0.
In last year’s final, Westfield rallied from two goals down to defeat Agawam and capture the D3 title.
Since the time the two teams last met, Westfield lost two key cogs on the front line, including Connor Sullivan, who suffered a season-ending wrist injury. Chris Sullivan has stepped up in his absence, as well as a trio of defensive players – Craig Lacey, Sam Evans, and Mario Metallo – who coach Matthews dubbed “the three horsemen.”
“The ‘three horsemen’ – they’re the key,” Matthews said. “If they can hold (Agawam’s offense in check), we sneak a goal or two, and Chris has his legs, we have got a shot … We have to put everything together.”
