Westfield Jr. Bombers 6, Pioneer Valley Mite 1 5
January 27th, Fitzpatrick Arena
Division: Mite 2
The Westfield Jr. Bombers (Mite 2) took on the Pioneer Valley Lighting (Mite 1) in a very close full ice game on Sunday 1/27. The teams went one-for-one during the first period with Westfield’s Jacob Jarrell starting off the scoring, 1-0. The Lightning then answered back with 2 (1-2) before Cody Collins was able to put one up for the Bombers (2-2). Pioneer Valley then fought back to up their lead (3-2), only to have Hunter Stockseth score on a breakaway to tie the score (3-3) for Westfield . Pioneer Valley came on hard during the second with a power play goal and an immediate follow-up goal, leaving Westfield behind by two goals (5-3). Westfield’s Cody Collins and Jax Grady then charged down the ice passing and faking out the Lightning’s quick goalie, with Jax tipping in a goal to bring the Jr. Bombers back to within one (5-4). The third period included a lot of defensive play from Ryan Major, Jacob Jarrell, Hunter Stockseth, Brody Fitzgerald, Gwenn Hosmer, Katie Collins and Brendan Morse holding off the Lightning’s attacks. With his first showing in net for the Mite 2 team, Josh Lecrenski proved to be a solid net minder throughout the entire game with some great saves. With less than five minutes remaining, Andrew Morris was able to shake off the Pioneer Valley defense and get into the zone for the tying goal (5-5), which rejuvenated the Jr. Bombers. With only 1:30 left, Andrew Morris, was again able to break away and score the winning goal (6-5).
Westfield Jr. Bombers 11, Capitals 1
January 26th, Amelia Park Ice Arena
Division: Squirt 3
Westfield finally put it all together and it was the Bombers’ most dominating performance of the season so far. Brad DiGiacomo got things rolling with an early goal, followed by back-to-back goals by Haley Tullo. Defense was again solid, led by a terrific effort from Steven Shaw, Jake Marcoulier, Casey Scanlon and Ian Lemieux. The Capitols got on the board with a breakaway and a wicked shot that got past Sean Rowbotham. DiGiacomo showed some skillful stick work and scored his second goal on a breakaway. Clarissa “CJ” Jarrell was able to put one past the Capitols goalie after a scramble near the net. The second period started hot with another goal from Haley Tullo, her first hat trick of the season. Some serious penalty killing by Westfield’s defense helped turn away any Capitols advances during 3-man down situations. CJ Jarrell added her second goal to close out the second period. The third period started with Brad DiGiacomo working hard to get the puck and burying a shot that gave the Bombers their second hat trick of the game. But the “hat trick duo” of DiGiacomo and Tullo were not done when they each added one more goal apiece. Rowbotham shut down the Capitols the rest of the way with aggressive goal-tending, as well as helping out on Westfield’s final goal. A head’s up save turned into a pass to Nick Langlois, who went coast to coast and beat the Capitols goalie. Springfield tried one last offensive rush, but was turned back a final time by Tullo. The Bombers coaching staff must be thrilled to see their team’s hard work in practice turn into a “W” come game time.
Amherst 4, Westfield Jr. Bombers 2
January 27th, Amelia Park Ice Arena
Division: Squirt 3
Amherst showed up today ready to avenge their last two loses to Westfield, and they got going right away. A quick breakaway led to a goal that got past Westfield goalie Sean Rowbotham. Drew Eidinger answered for Westfield with a slick goal that tied the game. Amherst came right back and took the lead with a funky shot that bounced past Rowbotham. The second period had Westfield called for a penalty during an Amherst breakaway, giving them a penalty shot on Rowbotham that he was not able to stop. Brad DiGiacomo answered back for Westfield by winning the face-off and taking it in for a goal. The Bombers continued to get quality shots on goal, but Amherst’s goalie rejected any remaining shots at him. Third period had some terrific hustle and effort shown by Westfield, namely Corey Boulay, Casey Scanlon, Harrison Klein and Ian Lemeiux. Amherst was able to tack on one last goal with another breakaway past Rowbotham.
