Last week, I talked about the Ludlow Lions (5-10-1) in my Weekly Feed (click here to view last weeks feed). The Lions kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating Pioneer Valley Berry Divisional opponent West Springfield (West Side) by a score of 5-2. The Lions senior A.J. Gates notched a hat trick in one of the biggest wins of the season for the Lions. Ludlow and West Springfield are battling it out for the final qualify spot for the tournament. After suffering the loss on Tuesday, the Terriers hold a one point lead over Ludlow. The top four teams in the PBV division qualify for the Western Massachusetts Division III tournament. If Ludlow passes West Springfield for fourth place, A.J. Gates will be one of the reasons why. Gates, who has recorded 13 goals and 15 assists on the season, was not on the team last season.
Gates, along with forward Dylan Larrow, and defenseman Joe Curtis, played junior hockey last season. Larrow has been a star this season as well. The junior has tallied 11 goals and 13 assists heading into the game against East Longmeadow on Tuesday at the Olympia Center in West Springfield and is second on the team in points behind Gates. Cameron Beaulieu (two goals and nine assists) and Nate Minie (six goals and nine assists) are third and fourth on the points list.
Staying in the Pioneer Valley Berry Division, The East Longmeadow Spartans (5-10-1) are having problems finding the back of the net. The last time the Spartans scored three goals or more in a game occurred against Longmeadow, one month ago, during a 4-3 loss to the Lancers. This weekend, I watched the Spartans take on the Shrewsbury Colonials and East Longmeadow got shutout by a score of 3-0. East Longmeadow, losers of their last five contests, must start winning again if they wish to hold off the surging Ludlow Lions or West Side Terriers for a playoff spot.
Sophomore forward Max Wosky leads the Spartans with 12 points, four goals and eight assists on the season. Senior captain Cam Grimes (three goals and seven assists) and Ken Morrisino (seven goals and three assists) have 10 points each on the season. Kevin Turowsky has nine points on the season. The Spartans have a balanced attack, but must find some offensive production to help the defense and goalie Chris Footit. Footit has done well in net, despite the below .500 record. There have been six contests, which the Spartans have lost by one goal. This losing streak should come to an end as the Spartans usually are able to be competitive against anyone.
East Longmeadow squares off against divisional foes Ludlow on Tuesday and Westfield on Thursday.
The Scituate Sailors (15-1-0) continue to dominate all their opponents. Star goalie Jaime Murray and the rest of the Sailors defenders have only allowed 15 goals all season long while scoring 60. The Sailors have only given up three goals in game once during an 8-3 victory over Silver Lake. There only defeat came at the hands of Hanover (10-3-2) by a score of 1-0. The Sailors will be one of the most feared teams in the playoffs because of Murrays presence in net.
The Sailors face North Quincy on Wednesday in Quincy. Scituate defeated North Quincy by a score of 1-0 during their first meeting of the season.
All eyes this week will be on Fridays matchup against the Bishop Stang Spartans at the Hetland Memorial Arena in New Bedford. Bishop Stang hosts the Spartan Cup which this year features D3 power teams Scituate, Bishop Stang, and Longmeadow. Scituate and Longmeadow are ranked second and third respectively in Hockeybarns D3 power rankings (click here to view last weeks D3 power rankings). Bishop Stang is currently one of the bubble teams for being ranked in the top 10.
Gates, along with forward Dylan Larrow, and defenseman Joe Curtis, played junior hockey last season. Larrow has been a star this season as well. The junior has tallied 11 goals and 13 assists heading into the game against East Longmeadow on Tuesday at the Olympia Center in West Springfield and is second on the team in points behind Gates. Cameron Beaulieu (two goals and nine assists) and Nate Minie (six goals and nine assists) are third and fourth on the points list.
Staying in the Pioneer Valley Berry Division, The East Longmeadow Spartans (5-10-1) are having problems finding the back of the net. The last time the Spartans scored three goals or more in a game occurred against Longmeadow, one month ago, during a 4-3 loss to the Lancers. This weekend, I watched the Spartans take on the Shrewsbury Colonials and East Longmeadow got shutout by a score of 3-0. East Longmeadow, losers of their last five contests, must start winning again if they wish to hold off the surging Ludlow Lions or West Side Terriers for a playoff spot.
Sophomore forward Max Wosky leads the Spartans with 12 points, four goals and eight assists on the season. Senior captain Cam Grimes (three goals and seven assists) and Ken Morrisino (seven goals and three assists) have 10 points each on the season. Kevin Turowsky has nine points on the season. The Spartans have a balanced attack, but must find some offensive production to help the defense and goalie Chris Footit. Footit has done well in net, despite the below .500 record. There have been six contests, which the Spartans have lost by one goal. This losing streak should come to an end as the Spartans usually are able to be competitive against anyone.
East Longmeadow squares off against divisional foes Ludlow on Tuesday and Westfield on Thursday.
The Scituate Sailors (15-1-0) continue to dominate all their opponents. Star goalie Jaime Murray and the rest of the Sailors defenders have only allowed 15 goals all season long while scoring 60. The Sailors have only given up three goals in game once during an 8-3 victory over Silver Lake. There only defeat came at the hands of Hanover (10-3-2) by a score of 1-0. The Sailors will be one of the most feared teams in the playoffs because of Murrays presence in net.
The Sailors face North Quincy on Wednesday in Quincy. Scituate defeated North Quincy by a score of 1-0 during their first meeting of the season.
All eyes this week will be on Fridays matchup against the Bishop Stang Spartans at the Hetland Memorial Arena in New Bedford. Bishop Stang hosts the Spartan Cup which this year features D3 power teams Scituate, Bishop Stang, and Longmeadow. Scituate and Longmeadow are ranked second and third respectively in Hockeybarns D3 power rankings (click here to view last weeks D3 power rankings). Bishop Stang is currently one of the bubble teams for being ranked in the top 10.
