Division: Peewee C
Saturday, January 14th – Olympia Ice Arena
Franklin County 5 Westfield Jr. Bombers 2
Westfield faced a challenging weekend, starting with their nemesis from the north Franklin County, who came out aggressive in the first period. However, Westfield was not intimidated and kept up their own offensive attack, leading to a goal by Nick Chepurin, who had been fed a sharp pass from Spencer Cloutier. However, a bit later, a failure to clear the puck led to Franklin County tying it up. Matt Brady was valiant in goal but the Franklin forces punched in a loose rebound to take a 2-1 lead. Nonetheless, Justin Oski passed the puck in from the corner and it was deflected in for a Westfield goal, so the score was tied 2-2 after one period. The second period, however, saw Franklin County assert its power. A Franklin rush goal and then a long successful shot from the blue line built the lead to 4-2. In the final frame Franklin County notched a fifth goal. Despite the 5-2 final tally, however, Westfield could be proud it held its own against the top team in the division. There were strong defensive contributions by Jack Labbe—who battles in the corners like Muhammad Ali against Frazier or Foreman—and from Tyler Bennett, John Pitoniak, and Charlie Bonatakis.
Division: Peewee C
Sunday, January 15th – Olympia Ice Arena
Holy Name Stars 4 Westfield Jr. Bombers 0
Westfield faced another tough foe in Holy Name, but came out strong. The first period featured good offensive efforts by Nate Gendron, Sarah Labbe, Dan Antonellis, and Brandon Laviolette. However, Holy Name built up more pressure than a steam engine and even though Matt Brady carried out his usual heroics to keep it close during the onslaught, Holy Name managed to score in the first period, and Holy Name’s own goalie was strong during a wild and woolly second period that featured a blazing rush by Spencer Cloutier. The same scenario played out when Nick Chepurin had a breakaway in the third period. After that point Holy Name started to exert its strengths and scored three unanswered goals, one of them a wraparound and another a power play, leading to a final score of 4-0, Holy Name.
Fire & Ice Tournament, Division: Mite A
Friday, January 13th – Amelia Park
Holy Name Stars 4 Westfield Jr. Bombers 1
The first period was a defensive battle with neither team able to score. Sensational defense and goaltending by both teams was showcased.
In the second period Holy Name opened up the scoring at the 11:03 mark off a rebound after Westfield’s goalie Andrew Morris stopped a point blank shot. Less than two minutes later the bomber’s Brandon Powell pick pocketed the biscuit off a Star’s defender and fired a laser which was stopped but got his own rebound and scored on a backhander to even the score at 1-1. It looked like that was the way the second period would end but that is when Lady Luck stepped in for the first of two goals in the game for Holy Name. With only 0:01 second left in the period following some frantic play in front of the Westfield’s net a Holy Name player poked one in to end the second period scoring at 2-1.
In the third period luck prevailed once again for Holy Name when at 4:57 during a HN power play a rolling puck that in baseball would have been deemed a bad hop became an unexpected bouncer just in front of Andrew and sailed over his head to make the score 3-1. With 3:28 left in the third Holy Name scored once again on a rebound to close the scoring. The score certainly did not indicate how close the competition was. Andrew’s stellar play between the pipes and the relentless play by the bombers kept the game within reach but sometimes you just tip your bucket to an opposing team on a job well done. Great game played and a great game to experience.
Fire & Ice Tournament, Division: Mite A
Saturday, January 14th – Amelia Park
Westfield Jr. Bombers 13 Enfield 0
With the Bomber’s goalie Andrew Morris pitching a shutout, the Enfield’s goalie was pushed early and often from the initial face off. Westfield’s offensive display began with Kevin Hosmer scoring at the 10:43 mark. Ethan Porter began the first of his four goals of the game with an unassisted goal at 10:02. Moments later Kevin would score again followed by Aidan King. Brandon Powell would score at the 8:55 mark then just over a minute later Daniel Bennett would score. Shortly after Matthew McMahon would score Kevin would secure his natural hat trick scoring his third of the period with just over a minute remaining.
The second period picked up where the first period left off with Epo getting his own natural hat trick in the period. Epo scored with less than one minute gone in the second. Brandon scored his second of the game when Epo would bookend a Tommy Whalley goal to close the scoring. Assists were made by Cullen Lawry, Jakob Marcoulier, Hailey Tullo, Daniel, Kevin, Brandon and Matt.
The Bombers showed they were a class act in the third period as they controlled the puck in a defensive fashion to avoid further scoring.
Fire & Ice Tournament, Division: Mite A
Sunday, January 15th – Amelia Park
Amherst 4 Westfield Jr. Bombers 0
For thirty three minutes the Bombers skated evenly against probably the best team in their division and eventual tournament winners Amherst. Aside from just over a two minute period in the first the Bombers held Amherst scoreless.
Amherst appeared to open the scoring at 5:42 in the first but the goal was waived off. One minute later Amherst would score their first goal on a breakaway. Just twelve seconds later after Andrew Morris stopped a hard shot Amherst was able to score on a rebound. After the faceoff Amherst scored on a breakaway at the 4:20 mark in the first. Amherst finished the scoring with 2:45 left in the first on a breakaway.
Afterwards excellent defensive team hockey by the Bombers shut down Amherst for the final two periods. The Bombers were relentless trying to score keeping the puck in the attack zone but could not put the biscuit in the basket.
The Bombers played excellent team hockey throughout the entire tournament. It should be mentioned the outstanding play by goaltender Andrew Morris keeping the Bombers in a position to win.
Fire & Ice Tournament, Division: Squirt B
Friday, January 13th – Amelia Park
Westfield Jr. Bombers 3 Northern Rhode Island Vikings 3
The first goal was scored by NRI. Westfield then tied the game with a goal by Nick Ensign assisted by Peter Chrisanthopoulos. The first period ended in a 1-1 tie.
In the second period Westfield scored a goal by Branden Waitt assisted by Peter Chrisanthopoulos NRI came back to tie the game at 2.
In the third period, NRI scored on a penalty shot to make the score 3 to 2. Westfield never gave up and it showed as Pat Martell scored a goal to tie the game at 3. The assist was made by Connor Fitzgerald. Aidan Fitzgerald as always played a great game.
The great defensive play of Ciro Calvanese, Thea Glenzel, Brain Daly, Cam Porter, Reid Hannan, and Alex Fisher kept the game close.
CJ Czarnecki made 10 saves in all.
Fire & Ice Tournament, Division: Squirt B
Saturday, January 14th – Amelia Park
Westfield Jr. Bombers 6 Woonsocket 0
The Squirt B team played a great game in beating Woonsocket 6-0. The first and only goal in the first period was scored by Peter Chrisanthopoulos assisted by Branden Waitt.
In the second period, Peter Chrisanthopoulos scored his second goal of the game. Branden Waitt scored the third goal which was assisted by Peter Chrisanthopoulos.
In the third period, Branden Waitt scored his second goal of the game making the score 4-0 Westfield. Minutes later, Aidan Fitzgerald made the score 5-0 on an assist by Connor Fitzgerald. The last goal of the game came from the stick of Aidan Fitzgerald assisted by Ciro Calvanese. Nick Ensign was a huge factor in the game because of his intense play.
The defensive play of Alex Fisher, Reid Hannan, Thea Glenzel, Pat Martell, Brian Daly, and Cam Porter allowed only 6 shots on goal. As Always, CJ Czarnecki played a great game making all of the saves.
Fire & Ice Tournament, Division: Squirt B
Sunday, January 15th – Amelia Park
Riverhawks 2 Westfield Jr. Bombers 1
The Westfield team gave it their all in a game that could have went either way. They ended up losing the game 2-1 to the Riverhawks.
The Riverhawks scored the first two goals of the game. The Westfield boys never gave up and scored a third period goal from Aidan Fitzgerald assisted by Pat Martell. Nick Ensign, Peter Chrisanthopoulos, Branden Waitt, Conner Fitzgerald, and Ciro Calvanese gave everything they had in order to at least tie the game but came up a little short.
The defensive play of Alex Fisher, Reid Hannan, Thea Glenzel, Pat Martell, Brian Daly, and Cam Porter allowed it to be a very close game. As Always, CJ Czarnecki played a great game making 8 saves in all. He also had two great glove saves.
