The Jr. Bombers headed into championship Sunday (January 6, 2013) at the Clifton Park Tournament with one group game yet to be played. Essentially, the Bombers held fate in their own hands, facing a “win and you’re in” situation. With uncertainty surrounding their future, Westfield was up against an Adirondack team who had asserted themselves as early favorites in their prior two group-play games. Coming into the Sunday morning matchup, Adirondack had yet to give up a goal in the tournament. The Bombers, on the other hand, held a modest 1-0-1 record. Westfield would prove to revel in the role of the underdog, notching a 4-2 victory in their last group-play game after going down two goals early. “Fast-paced” and “heart-wrenching” were the phrases that echoed throughout the arena reflecting the timbre of the contest. This back-and-forth encounter however, would only serve as an appetizer for the championship rematch held later that day.
It was apparent the Jr. Bombers (2-0-1) were still the perceived underdogs going into the championship, despite clinching the number one seed over Adirondack (2-1-0) in their prior hard-fought victory. Adirondack supporters and neutral spectators alike, were insistent the first result was a fluke. It was also apparent the Jr. Bombers understood their role, using it to their advantage as they came out flying with chips on their shoulders. Westfield played physical, two-way hockey for a full 45 minutes. Coach Chris D’Angelo and staff did a superb job instilling composure amongst the players, proving to be an integral strategic advantage in the tense match-up. Throughout the nearly flawless illustration of pure hockey, neither team held more than a one goal lead, with eight lead changes in total. Westfield struck first on a beautiful 5-hole snipe by Andrew Poehlman with 5 minutes remaining in the first period (his first career tournament goal), assisted by Gavin Rock. Next to score for Westfield was TJ Willis on a sweet wrister from Isak Lund in the second period. Again in the second, came a wicked game-tying wrist-shot by Logan Klein from Travis McCassey on a well-executed 2-on-1. Rock scored next with his second point of the game assisted by Joe Uva. Uva seemed to have found a fifth gear on Westfield’s next goal coming off an unassisted breakaway effort. Westfield’s last goal by Uva would prove to be the game winner at 5-4. With tantalizingly close goal-line opportunities for both teams, it appeared as if the puck could have bounced either way. But in the end, the cliche proved to be true – “defense wins championships.”
Combined with their offensive prowess, Westfield’s willingness to play tough, physical, team defense was crucial in the Bombers’ success. Defensemen Andrew Warren, Mikey Neilson, Evan Glenzel and Adam Dougherty led the way in the self-sacrificing, hit crusade. D-man and Jr. Bombers’ anchor, Cian Whalen offered support from the bench, as he sat out from an injury sustained sacrificing his body to block a shot in an earlier game. Also chipping in on “D” were forwards Kenny Bonney, Connor Cottengin, and Reilly Siart, as they all exemplified two-way hockey with their hard, back-checking efforts. The grateful beneficiary of this concerted effort was goaltender Val Reopel, though his afternoon was certainly no picnic in the park. Reopel finished the game with 22 saves, handling the easy shots while mixing in a few physics-defying goal-line stops as well.
With more than commendable effort by Westfield and Adirondack, both teams were deserving of recognition for their passionate play. All those in attendance realized the rare beauty stemming from a near-perfect match-up that, if replicated, might produce different results entirely. But on this occasion, Westfield took home the hardware and will not soon forget the hard-work and determination the two-toned trophy now symbolizes.
COURTESY OF JUNIOR BOMBERS
