The Littleton/Bromfield Tigers paired off against two local opponents, adding two more wins to the team’s record, first against the Acton-Boxborough Revolution and then the Groton-Dunstable Crusaders.
On Wednesday, Jan. 15, the Tigers made the quick drive over to Boxborough’s Nashoba Valley Olympia. The home rink to several professional hockey players and Olympic figure skaters, it has a smaller surface than today’s standard playing area. The smaller space challenged the Tigers’ preferred style of high-speed play, which benefits from more ice.
The Tigers scored first, late in the first period when Harvard junior Liam Glew scored on a power play. Three minutes into the second period, the Tigers scored again. Harvard senior captain Zachary Lizotte patiently handled the puck behind the goal line until Littleton sophomore Ryan Pittorino moved to an open space in front of the net and from there shot Lizotte’s crisp pass into the net. A-B was able to cut into the Tigers’ lead, scoring at the end of the second period when two Tigers players were in the penalty box.
In the first minute of third-period play, A-B was able to tie the game with a quick goal. The game remained 2-2 until, with two minutes remaining in the period, Littleton’s Pittorino scored the game-winning goal by stickhandling around two defenders and lifting the puck with the back of his stick underneath the goalie’s arm and into the back of the net, giving the Tigers the 3-2 victory.
Three days later, on Saturday, Jan. 18, the Tigers were designated the visiting team, playing against the Groton-Dunstable Crusaders on the home rink of both teams. It was a hockey fan’s ideal game, with back-and-forth scoring and frequent body checks ultimately having the Tigers prevail in a 6-4 victory. With a 9-2 overall record the Tigers remain a highly ranked Division 4 team and in a three-way tie for first place in the Coughlin Conference.
Brian Piekos is a Tigers ice hockey parent.
