The Littleton-Bromfield varsity ice hockey team hosted Nashoba Regional High School in its home opener last Saturday, December 16. The Tigers won by a score of 2–1 for their second win of the season.
The scoring began less than three minutes into the first period with a goal from Tigers’ co-captain Dan Richter, assisted by fellow co-captain Dave Morse. The Tigers’ defense allowed their opponents to take only six shots during the opening period. Bromfield seniors and co-captains Matt Bohan and Charlie Broadbent both made spectacular defensive stops toward the end of the first period.
During the second period, a total of 29 shots were taken between the two teams. However, each team scored only one goal. Bromfield junior John Gill struck first on a shot just inside the blue line. Bromfield senior Ryan Chadwick and Broadbent assisted him. Nashoba soon scored their lone goal of the game against the Tigers.
The third period remained scoreless for the duration of the fifteen minutes as the Tigers held on for the win. Nashoba pulled their goalie for the final 35 seconds of the game to give the team an extra skater. The move created many scoring chances, but Littleton-Bromfield stopped them. Gill even absorbed a last-second shot with his upper body.
Gill said: “I thought we battled hard. It was tough to see who deserved to win the most, but it’s good to come out on top.”
The Tigers look to have another successful season following last year’s 14 – 8 campaign. The team won the Holiday Tournament at the Wallace Civic Center in Fitchburg with wins over Worcester and Lunenburg. The Tigers also went to the second round of the district playoffs before losing to Fitchburg by a score of 5–6 in double overtime.
Bromfield players look to make significant contributions on this cooperative team with Littleton High School. Joining senior captains Bohan and Broadbent are Chadwick, Zack Erickson, and Spencer Randall. Gill is the lone junior on the squad. Bobby Hazel, Jack Broadbent, Matt Tower, and Kevin Wilkinson make up the Bromfield sophomores on the team.
The Tigers play their home games at the Groton School. Their next home game is Saturday, December 23 at 6 p.m. against Northbridge.
