At first glance of each team's respective record prior to the game, it comes across that the Westfield Bombers would skate away with an easy win over the West Springfield (West Side) Terriers during Pioneer Valley Berry Divisional game on Thursday, February 4th .
Despite West Springfield's 4-9-1 overall record, the Terriers shutout Westfield by a score of 3-0 on December 10th during the first game of the 2009/2010 season. On January 14th, the Terriers played strong, but suffered a one goal defeat during the teams second meeting of the season. Thursday night's contest proved to be another exciting game between the two squads.
On Thursday night, the teams faced each other for the final time of the regular season at the Amelia Park Rink in Westfield. West Springfield's senior forward Matt Jerome tallied two goals for the Terriers, but his strong performance was not enough as Westfield was able to win the grudge match by a score of 4-3. Westfield Bomber's junior forward Matt Gagnon scored the winning goal with 4:26 remaining in the second period to break the tie and give West Springfield another one goal defeat against the Bombers. Bombers' senior captain Ryan Leonard paced the Westfield attack as he recorded one goal and two assists during the contest. Westfield improved to 12-4-0 overall and 9-3-0 in league play, good for second place in the Pioneer Valley Berry Division behind powerhouse Longmeadow (14-1-0). Westfield's next game is against Longmeadow on Tuesday, February 9th at the Amelia Park Rink. Longmeadow has came away victorious in both the previous matchups by the scores of 7-3 and 4-0, respectively. West Springfield dropped to 4-10-1 overall, 4-9-0 in the conference (4th overall), and will face Minnechaug.
West Springfield had the first opportunity to score as Westfield committed a penalty with 12:27 remaining in the first period. Terriers' Matt Jerome missed from point blank range as Westfield's penalty killers were able to prevent West Springfield from getting on the board. Westfield's senior forward Brian Elie scored on the first shot attempt of the game for the Bombers. Elie cut hard in front of the net and received a beautiful pass from Ryan Leonard and was able score top shelf right over Alex Weiss's outstretched glove. Less than one minute later, West Springfield answered. Terriers' senior forward Mike Sullivan scored a breakaway goal after receiving the puck from junior forward Nick Lane, who made an incredible blue line pass to the streaking Sullivan. West Springfield's aggressive style of play on the offensive end paid off as they were able to score with 4:26 remaining in the first period to take the 2-1 lead. Matt Jerome made up for his missed shot earlier in the period by scoring a rebound goal. Mike Sullivan and Ryan Magni were credited with the assist. Jerome was able to find a hole in the Westfield defense and positioned himself perfectly for a rebound opportunity. With 3:16 remaining in the first, Westfield's Ryan Leonard caused a turnover, received the puck from defenseman Mike Welch, skated the length of the ice along the boards, split the Terriers defense, and scored a goal to tie the score at two goals apiece. Westfield had a chance to take the lead off of a power play opportunity with 2:19 remaining, but came away empty handed. The Terriers' penalty killers did a great job of clogging the shooting lanes and rushing the shooters. At the end of the first period, the game was dead locked at 2-2.
West Springfield did not waste any time getting on the board in the second period as Matt Jerome scored an unassisted goal 32 seconds into the period to give the Terriers a 3-2 lead over division rival Westfield. Westfield's Conner Laraway and Ryan Leonard provided Nick Sibilia with an amazing pass in front of the net for the easy tap in to tie the score at 3-3 with 13:06 remaining in the second period. Laraway was able to look the defenders and goalie off before delivering the puck to Sibilia. The period was evenly matched as both teams controlled the puck equally. The Bomber's Matt Gagnon broke the tie as he took a no look spin shot from 10 feet out and was able to find the back of the net, which eventually proved to be the game winner. Nick Sibilia and Brandon Kubik assisted on the play. The Terriers' senior defenseman Kevin Green displayed great decision making as he executed a few great passes in the period. West Springfield almost scored from center ice as Westfield's goalie Nick Liberto was not paying attention and was out of position, but was able to get back into position to make the save. Liberto made 10 saves in the period and 20 for the game. At the end of the second period, Westfield led by a score of 4-3 over West Springfield.
Westfield took control of the play in the third period as West Springfield seemed to lose their aggressive nature. Midway through the period, West Springfield was unable to score off a power play opportunity with 6:51 remaining in the game. The game got chippy as frustrations began to amount as the Terriers became to run out of time. Players were constantly exchanging words during the stoppage over the course of the final few minutes. West Springfield's sophomore defenseman Jake Dalzovo played great defense during the period as he prevented Westfield from settling in the Terriers' zone. Westfield was able to hold on and beat the Terriers by a final score of 4-3.
Saves:
Westfield's Nick Liberto: 20 Saves
West Springfield's Alex Weiss: 24 saves
Despite West Springfield's 4-9-1 overall record, the Terriers shutout Westfield by a score of 3-0 on December 10th during the first game of the 2009/2010 season. On January 14th, the Terriers played strong, but suffered a one goal defeat during the teams second meeting of the season. Thursday night's contest proved to be another exciting game between the two squads.
On Thursday night, the teams faced each other for the final time of the regular season at the Amelia Park Rink in Westfield. West Springfield's senior forward Matt Jerome tallied two goals for the Terriers, but his strong performance was not enough as Westfield was able to win the grudge match by a score of 4-3. Westfield Bomber's junior forward Matt Gagnon scored the winning goal with 4:26 remaining in the second period to break the tie and give West Springfield another one goal defeat against the Bombers. Bombers' senior captain Ryan Leonard paced the Westfield attack as he recorded one goal and two assists during the contest. Westfield improved to 12-4-0 overall and 9-3-0 in league play, good for second place in the Pioneer Valley Berry Division behind powerhouse Longmeadow (14-1-0). Westfield's next game is against Longmeadow on Tuesday, February 9th at the Amelia Park Rink. Longmeadow has came away victorious in both the previous matchups by the scores of 7-3 and 4-0, respectively. West Springfield dropped to 4-10-1 overall, 4-9-0 in the conference (4th overall), and will face Minnechaug.
West Springfield had the first opportunity to score as Westfield committed a penalty with 12:27 remaining in the first period. Terriers' Matt Jerome missed from point blank range as Westfield's penalty killers were able to prevent West Springfield from getting on the board. Westfield's senior forward Brian Elie scored on the first shot attempt of the game for the Bombers. Elie cut hard in front of the net and received a beautiful pass from Ryan Leonard and was able score top shelf right over Alex Weiss's outstretched glove. Less than one minute later, West Springfield answered. Terriers' senior forward Mike Sullivan scored a breakaway goal after receiving the puck from junior forward Nick Lane, who made an incredible blue line pass to the streaking Sullivan. West Springfield's aggressive style of play on the offensive end paid off as they were able to score with 4:26 remaining in the first period to take the 2-1 lead. Matt Jerome made up for his missed shot earlier in the period by scoring a rebound goal. Mike Sullivan and Ryan Magni were credited with the assist. Jerome was able to find a hole in the Westfield defense and positioned himself perfectly for a rebound opportunity. With 3:16 remaining in the first, Westfield's Ryan Leonard caused a turnover, received the puck from defenseman Mike Welch, skated the length of the ice along the boards, split the Terriers defense, and scored a goal to tie the score at two goals apiece. Westfield had a chance to take the lead off of a power play opportunity with 2:19 remaining, but came away empty handed. The Terriers' penalty killers did a great job of clogging the shooting lanes and rushing the shooters. At the end of the first period, the game was dead locked at 2-2.
West Springfield did not waste any time getting on the board in the second period as Matt Jerome scored an unassisted goal 32 seconds into the period to give the Terriers a 3-2 lead over division rival Westfield. Westfield's Conner Laraway and Ryan Leonard provided Nick Sibilia with an amazing pass in front of the net for the easy tap in to tie the score at 3-3 with 13:06 remaining in the second period. Laraway was able to look the defenders and goalie off before delivering the puck to Sibilia. The period was evenly matched as both teams controlled the puck equally. The Bomber's Matt Gagnon broke the tie as he took a no look spin shot from 10 feet out and was able to find the back of the net, which eventually proved to be the game winner. Nick Sibilia and Brandon Kubik assisted on the play. The Terriers' senior defenseman Kevin Green displayed great decision making as he executed a few great passes in the period. West Springfield almost scored from center ice as Westfield's goalie Nick Liberto was not paying attention and was out of position, but was able to get back into position to make the save. Liberto made 10 saves in the period and 20 for the game. At the end of the second period, Westfield led by a score of 4-3 over West Springfield.
Westfield took control of the play in the third period as West Springfield seemed to lose their aggressive nature. Midway through the period, West Springfield was unable to score off a power play opportunity with 6:51 remaining in the game. The game got chippy as frustrations began to amount as the Terriers became to run out of time. Players were constantly exchanging words during the stoppage over the course of the final few minutes. West Springfield's sophomore defenseman Jake Dalzovo played great defense during the period as he prevented Westfield from settling in the Terriers' zone. Westfield was able to hold on and beat the Terriers by a final score of 4-3.
Saves:
Westfield's Nick Liberto: 20 Saves
West Springfield's Alex Weiss: 24 saves
