During the past week the Littleton/Bromfield/Parker boys hockey team beat two Coughlin Conference opponents, a 1-0 win against the Gardner Wildcats and 4-0 against the Leominster Blue Devils. While hosting the Blue Devils Feb.14, the Tigers held their senior night game in which the seniors on the varsity roster contributed significantly to the victory.
Prior to the start of Wednesday’s game, a brief ceremony recognized the team’s 11 senior players and served as a reminder of the family connections among seven Harvard players on the varsity roster, including Coach Kevin Lizotte and his son, junior Zack; Parker senior Ethan Dangel and sophomore goaltender Jacob Dangel; second-year captain senior Evan Piekos, junior Fin Piekos, and freshman Cael Piekos; and sophomore twins Conor and Liam Glew.
Senior Joe Donahue’s slapshot flies into the goal. (Courtesy photo)
For the opening faceoff, Coach Lizotte started six seniors who seized the spotlight, scoring 27 seconds into the game when defenseman Evan Piekos carried the puck from the offensive blue line across the front of the net before passing to Littleton senior co-captain Ryan Johnson, who slammed the puck behind the goalie. The last minute of the first period provided another boost of senior night cheer when Parker senior Drew Romeo passed the puck up to the offensive blue line where Harvard senior defenseman Joe Donahue quickly released a slapshot that sailed into the top of the net. This was his first varsity goal and gave the Tigers a 2-0 lead.
Halfway through the second period, the Tigers scored another all-senior goal when Evan Piekos received the puck at the offensive blue line from Littleton seniors Johnson and Nathan Smith. He skated around a couple of Blue Devil defenders before placing a shot under the goalie’s arm, giving the Tigers a 3-0 lead. In the opening play of the third period, the Tigers scored for a fourth time when leading scorers Lizotte and Conor Glew combined for Lizotte’s 10th goal of the season. Capping off the game, senior goalies Parker’s Charles Becker and Littleton’s Luke Buretta combined for a shutout.
Following Wednesday’s win, the Tigers faced off against Coughlin Conference opponent Gardner Wildcats, looking to avenge the 4-3 overtime loss earlier this season. With historically competitive games and both teams looking to increase their ranking ahead of the postseason state tournament, the game started with high pace and intensity, seeing play move back and forth between offensive zones. Through two periods of evenly matched play and each team’s goaltender confidently stopping all shots on net, the game was scoreless.
When third period play began, the Tigers displayed strong forechecking and offensive blue line plays, keeping the puck in the Wildcats’ zone for most of the period. Despite several opportunities, the Tigers were not able to score, and at the other end of the ice Tigers goaltender Bromfield junior Tyler Proteau remained sharp, saving all the shots he faced. The result was a scoreless game through three periods. As they had in the earlier game, the teams went into overtime. The Tigers continued to outplay the Wildcats and were rewarded when Liam Glew passed to the high slot and found a streaking Zack Lizotte, who one-timed a shot into the far side of the net for the game-winning goal and a 1-0 victory.
With an overall record of 10-9 and a 21st ranking in Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 4, the Tigers were scheduled for a final week of games, including the Nashoba Valley Cup—an end-of-season tournament—before MIAA Division 4 state tournament begins the week of Feb. 26.
Brian Piekos is a Littleton/Bromfield/Parker ice hockey parent.
