The Littleton/Bromfield/Parker Tigers spent quality time together traveling for two away games last week, winning 4-2 against conference opponent St. Bernard’s and losing 6-2 against nonconference Easthampton.
On Thursday, Feb. 9, the Tigers took a quick trip down Route 2 to play St. Bernard’s at Fitchburg’s Wallace Civic Center. St. Bernard’s, wearing their home white jerseys, had only 10 of their 14 rostered skaters available for the game. The Tigers, in their away navy blue jerseys, were also missing a couple of players due to injury but were able to compete with a typical lineup of 15 skaters.
With play underway and the Tigers able to roll three lines of forwards, the puck was in St. Bernard’s zone for most of the first period. Late in the period the Tigers were first on the scoreboard when Littleton freshman Gavin Werling scored off a pass from Harvard freshman Liam Glew. St. Bernard’s quickly evened the score with a deceptive shot, beating the Tigers’ goalie five-hole. Second period play saw the puck spending more time in the St. Bernard’s defensive zone but with no additional scoring until about five minutes left in the period, when Werling knocked in a loose puck in front of the net for his second goal of the game. Quicker than the goal could be announced over the loudspeaker, Werling scored for the third time, giving him a hat trick.
After two periods of play, the Tigers had outshot their opponent 28 to 13, providing a 3-1 lead. The third period saw the Tigers extend their lead when Littleton senior and co-captain Tyler Edwards scored with an assist by Harvard freshman Conor Glew. St. Bernard’s was able to score one final time, but the Tigers held on for a 4-2 victory, remaining undefeated in conference play.
Saturday evening had the Tigers on a 90-minute bus ride west to play the Division 3 Easthampton Eagles. With the Tigers having four games to play in less than a week, Harvard freshman goalie Jacob Dangel was given the start. As they have seen all season playing against nonconference opponents, the Tigers found the pace of play faster than they experienced in conference play. But they were able to keep up, and the first period had the teams exchanging opportunities. With less than a minute remaining in the period, Harvard’s Conor Glew deflected a shot from Littleton junior defenseman Ryan Johnson, giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead. At the start of the second period, the Tigers continued their strong play. Harvard’s Thomas Welborn carried the puck deep into the Eagles’ offensive zone and passed to an open Werling, who scored with a quick shot low to the far side of the net.
The Eagles scored about four minutes into the second period, making it a 2-1 game and letting the Tigers know there was still a lot of hockey to be played. After a Tigers’ penalty, Easthampton scored a power-play goal, evening the game at two goals apiece. Seemingly rattled, the Tigers gave up two more goals in less than 30 seconds and watched a 2-0 lead turn into a 4-2 deficit in under two minutes of play. The remainder of the game saw the Eagles score two more goals, handing the Tigers a 6-2 loss and continuing the Tigers’ season-long trend of struggling against nonconference opponents.
Having won the Coughlin Conference and secured a spot in the season-ending state tournament, the Tigers finished their regular season with games on Feb. 13 and Feb. 15.
Brian Piekos is a Littleton/Bromfield/Parker Tigers parent.
