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• Western Mass. Overview •
Westfield, Minnechaug A Cut Above
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By Fran Sypek • HNIB News
he key to success in Western Mass. will be which teams have a player who will emerge as a top goaltender. Defense will be the key for perennial contender Westfield. "We have good team chemistry and some good returning defensemen,'' coach C.B. "Moose'' Matthews said. Senior Mario Metallo had 22 points last season and is arguably the region's top blueliner and may be its best overall player. The Bombers also have Nate Boucher and Sean Moorehouse back on defense. Minnechaug may be the region's most improved team. "I feel the keys to success will be discipline, good team defense and balanced scoring from all three lines,'' coach Greg Palm said. The Falcons also have Berry Division Rookie of the Year Cam Mariani back. Defending champion Agawam was hit hard by graduation. But the Brownies have some good
COughlin COnfeRenCe Experienced Oakmont Ready FItCHBurg/MoNty teCH Another team that was better on the road (84) than it was at home (4-6). Experience up front should help. Back are senior forwards Nico Peralta, Noah Sarasin, Sam Colcord, Tony Hoffman, Tyler Beliveau, defensemen Zack Cormier, Mitch Koren and Cody Leger. LuNeNBerg/Ayer/SHIrLey Seniors Dustin Powell, Carly LeBlanc, Brett Vacarelo and Ryan Dame return. Junior Nick Graham is back on defense. oAkMoNt The defending Conference champs return an experienced squad which could make them a threat to repeat. Mike Amblo, Kyle Klahre, Kyle Thibault, Brandon Truax, Lukas Belsky, Tyler Gendron, Azch Uminski and Zach Pelkey are strong up front. The defense will be led by Brendan McGuirk, Joe Zadroga, Sean Richard, Greg Morin, Trevor Brideau and Jack Halliday.
young players and should be a factor. Longmeadow may have the division's best goalie in Jack Tabb, along with a solid group of forwards led by Mike Tabb and Matt Pierson. Chicopee Comp won the Division IIIA championship last season. The Colts return fleet forwards Cam Kagan and Jeremy Lewis. Chicopee is also coming off a solid season. Defenseman Ben Jablonski and goalie Jon Santos are among the key players for the Pacers. Amherst returns a solid defenseman in Jordan Tetreault. East Longmeadow has arguably the region's top forward in Ben Wosky. Belchertown was the region's most improved team a year ago and should be strong again. Mount Everett went from one victory to 22 and the Eagles return a strong cast, led by Jakob Malicky.
AGAWAM PLAYERS cELEbRAtE GoAL in 2015 WEStERn MASS D3 FinAL LASt MARch.
Russell COnfeRenCe
Littleton, Assabet/Maynard Hope To Challenge ASSABet/MAyNArd After just missing the tournament last year, this team could get over the hump this season A solid defense will be led by Zach Magarian, Ernie Jones and R.J. Delaney. Up front, seniors Ryan Pantridge, Dmitry McQuiggan, Tom Walsh, Adam Melido and Yakov Pavlovsky will be counted on to score. LIttLetoN/BroMFIeLd The Tigers lost six players from last year, including their starting goalie. Senior goalies JJ Stadler and John Seymour should be ready to step up. Six defensemen return, including Joey DeCoste, Brian Johnson, Ricky Gilpatrick, Erik Rauker , Adam Canfield and Nick Evans. Up front, Nate Dutkewych, Ritchie Planchet, Matty Banker, Kevin Burke, Kris Cecere, Sean Kitain and Jacob Montepeluso are back. NortHBrIdge/NIpMuC/ SuttoN/uxBrIdge Will be looking to return to the postseason. Seniors Cam Sullivan, Keenan Quinama and Drew Cannistraro return. Back on defense are Kayla Peabody and Jalen Madden.
WorCeSter Coming off a solid 15-6-2 season, this team was hurt by graduation. But there should be enough experience to make another run. Seniors Cooper Blanchard, Joe Arsenault, Cameron Kasper and Derek Shea return. So do juniors Andrew Williamson, Luke Carpenter, Griffin Moore, Jake Ledoux, Derek Shea, Brett Willand and Shane Bowes. Tyler Spalding returns in goal.
HopedALe/MILLIS The Raiders look to bREtt WiLLAnD improve following a WoRcEStER three-win season. Captain Nick Tammao scored nine goals with eight assists last season and will lead the offense. Noah Luccini (6-4-10) and defenseman Shane MacQuarrie (5-3-8) return. The Raiders will look for better puck movement, system play and success on the power play.
December 16, 2015 | Hockey NigHt iN bostoN News | HNibnews.com
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