On Feb. 7 the Littleton/Bromfield/Parker Tigers hosted the 16th-ranked Division 3 Dracut/ Tyngsboro Middies in what would be a galvanizing 3-1 loss.
Following last season’s 9-3 loss to the Middies, the Tigers expected a fast and physical game, and from the opening faceoff, that expectation was met. With the return of two senior defenseman who had been out with long-term injuries—Littleton’s David Ming and Harvard co-captain Evan Piekos—the Tigers were able to fend off the Middies’ bigger size and physical style of play, allowing only one goal in the first period. Early in the second period the Middies scored two more goals. Down 3-0 halfway through the game, the Tigers chose to compete and were able to reduce the Middies’ lead with a goal by Harvard sophomore Liam Glew.
With the score 3-1 and the Middies recognizing that the Tigers were not going to give up, there was an escalation in the physical style of play, resulting in multiple penalties to each team. The Tigers continued to play with a level of intensity and camaraderie seen only fleetingly this season. The best example came about halfway through the third period. When the Tigers had not been able to clear the puck out of their defensive zone, Parker senior Drew Romeo slid on the ice, blocking a powerful slap shot from a Middies defenseman.
Romeo’s willingness to put himself at risk for the benefit of the team was immediately recognized by the Tigers bench, with players banging the boards and yelling variations of “That’s it, Drew!” Notwithstanding the high-tempo, spirited play throughout the remainder of the game, neither team scored, resulting in a 3-1 loss for the Tigers. While a disappointing outcome, it could be considered “a good loss,” coalescing the Tigers late in the year.
On Saturday, Feb 10, the Tigers traveled for a rematch against St. Bernard’s at the Wallace Civic Center. Having suffered a 4-2 loss to the Bernardians earlier this season, the Tigers started this game with the high energy and focus they had displayed earlier in the week. The Tigers maintained their intensity and relentless pursuit of the puck with all three lines maintaining good offensive pressure and getting shots on net.
Through two periods, the Bernardians goalie saved 23 of the 24 Tigers’ shots, letting in only one goal by Harvard junior Zack Lizotte late in the second period. Although the Tigers continued to outplay the Bernardians, the score remained 1-0 late into the third period, and the team’s unease with a one-goal lead was palpable.
With about six minutes remaining in the game, the Bernardians had a great scoring opportunity, rushing into the Tigers’ zone and getting a hard shot off toward the far side of the Tigers’ net. But the drive was rejected with a thunderous right pad save by Harvard junior goaltender Tyler Proteau. While that was the flashiest save of the night, Proteau was not beaten by any of the 13 shots he faced, recording his first varsity shutout.
With an empty-net goal by Lizotte, the Tigers beat the Bernardians 2-0 to get their overall record back to 8-8 and an MIAA power ranking well within the top 32 teams that compete in the state tournament.
The Tigers had three regular season games remaining, all home matches at the Groton School, including their senior night game on Feb 14.
Brian Piekos is a Littleton/Bromfield/Parker ice hockey parent.
