Content submitted by Westford Youth Hockey volunteers. If you have sports news, email news@westfordcat.org.
Squirt AAA
The Nashoba Grizzlies came out aggressively with 3 goals in the first two minutes of play. Chuck Bonenfant got the team going with an unassisted goal 23 seconds into the game, followed 9 seconds later by a Ryan Nelken assist to Owen Crann for the front-end of his hat trick…then Ryan joined in the goal action with a nice assist from Devin Marshall.  Five minutes later, Owen followed with his second score of the afternoon. With three minutes left in the first, The Arlington Squirts took advantage of a Nashoba penalty and got on the board.
The Arlington Squirts made some adjustments between periods, playing a strong 2nd period with pressure on Nashoba and began to tilt the ice in their direction.
The 3rd period erupted much like the first, however not as the Grizzlies would have wished.  Arlington tied the game at 4 each with 6:47 left to play.  Tyler Olsen would have nothing of it, assisted by Chuck Bonenfant and giving Nashoba a 5-4 lead.  Then with less than 2 minutes left to play Owen Crann collected the back-end of his hat trick and looked to secure the game for Nashoba 6-4.  Arlington, wasn’t giving up and scored again with 1 minute left, narrowing the Nashoba margin to 1.  15 seconds later Owen connected with Devin Marshall to make it 7-5.  Then with 21 seconds left Arlington answered again cutting the Nashoba lead to 1…but it would remain there and
Nashoba would squeak out an exciting 7-6 victory.
Murphy MacLeod had as solid performance in net, capturing his first victory with 16 saves.
Peewee AAA
The Grizzlies had a tough time generating scoring opportunities against a fast SMS defense and skated off with a 4-1 loss.  Ryan McNulty deked two defenders and scored a nice goal in the first to tie the game, but that would be it for the offense.  Michael Faia and Tommy Rose each made key defensive plays in front of goalie Jon Doherty, who made 22 saves.  Nashoba held the opposition scoreless in the second half.
Midget AA
Nashoba put 33 shots on a pair of tough Burlington goalies and eventually scored halfway through the third period to break up the shutout.  Danny Cornetta made a great pass to set up Josh Doherty in the slot to make it 1-1.  Goalie Joe Cornetta made 20 stops and controlled the rebounds all game.
