The Littleton/Bromfield Tigers pushed through a tough game Feb. 2 and tied the Fitchburg Red Raiders 3-3 at the Groton School Rink #2, another step in their advance to the playoffs. As of Feb. 11 the team needed only 4 more points to qualify. Three games remain in the season, offering up to 6 points. A win counts as 2 points, while a tie counts as 1. Winning two of their next three games would earn the Tigers a spot in the playoffs.
The Tigers’ starting line for the first period included Bromfield freshman Maddox Lizotte, Littleton seniors Christopher Berger, Danny Angell, Justin Montepeluso, and Sean Keefe, and Littleton junior goalkeeper Ben Canfield. Only three minutes into the period, Lizotte attempted the first goal for the Tigers, but the Red Raiders’ goalkeeper caught it. Seconds later, the Red Raiders attempted to score; however, Canfield stopped the puck. Seven minutes later, with a Tiger in the penalty box, Fitchburg scored with a power play. The Tigers pushed harder to stay in the fight for playoffs and with three seconds left in the period, Angell made the first goal, assisted by Montepeluso.The first period ended in a 1-1 tie. The first period also brought Littleton junior Nicholas Brown back into action after being out with an arm injury for four games.
Four minutes into the second period, the Red Raiders scored again on Canfield. Littleton/Bromfield took the puck up the ice and Angell attempted another goal, but the Red Raiders’ goalkeeper caught it in his glove. About two minutes after the Red Raiders’ previous goal, they scored once more with a power play. With six minutes left on the clock, Littleton senior Dan Paxton pushed the puck into the net with an assist by Littleton sophomore Timmy Kelleher. Only a minute later, Berger flicked the puck upward into the netting and scored without an assist. The second period ended in a tie once again, 3-3.
The third period brought no goals, but it did bring penalties. The Tigers got one penalty on Bromfield senior Alex Magan for cross-checking, but the Red Raiders took most of the penalties. At one point, Fitchburg had two men off the ice for hooking and interference, so the Tigers had an advantage. However, the Tiger forwards couldn’t bring it up the ice in the time left in the game, so it ended tied at three goals apiece.
As of Feb. 11, the Tigers were fourth in the five-member Coughlin Conference with an overall record of 7-8-2. They are scheduled to play Assabet Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Groton School Rink #2, when they will also celebrate senior night.
Erin Flynn is a Bromfield freshman.
