Walpole High School vs Mansfield High School
MIAA Hockey
Foxboro Sports Center Rink 1
The Mansfield Hornets and Walpole Rebels matched up in a MIAA non-league contest at the Foxboro Sports Center on Wednesday 12/12. The scoring got going early when # 6 Matthew Copponi, Mansfield sophomore forward caused a turnover at the Rebels blue line and went in a breakaway and had a nice finish on Walpole goalie # 1 Jack Curran. Just a few minutes later, the Hornets struck again on the power play. Copponi won a battle down low and then found #2 Brad Grant Senior Defensemen on the blue line and it ended up in the back of the net. At the end of 1, 2-0 Mansfield.
Just a few minutes into the second period, #3 Jack Garland, Senior Forward put Mansfield up 3-0 on the power play from the right hand circle off a feed from #22 Brian Grant, Freshman Defenseman. As the penalties calmed down, Walpole was able to answer the call with a hard working goal from #16 Connor Foley, Senior Forward. Going into the intermission, 3-1 Mansfield.
The Hornets were able to put the game out of reach with a goal from #4 Ben Ierardo coming from # 2 Brad Grant. Final 4-1, MHS.
Mansfield moves to 2-0 on the season with a big Saturday night game vs Winthrop at Foxboro Sports Center. Walpole drops to 0-1 with Newton North coming into Rodman Arena this weekend.
In the net, Mansfield Junior #30 Sean McAfferty was great in between the pipes and made some very timely saves for the Hornets to preserve the lead. Walpole goalie, Sophmore Jack Curran took the loss but battled and competed hard.
Mansfield was the better team here and have good depth. #6 Matthew Copponi lead the charge up front with 1-1-2 and was always around the puck every shift. #2 Brad James played a big role for Mansfield and saw time in all situations, he looks to log a lot of minutes this winter.
3 Stars
1.Matthew Copponi
2. Brad James
3. Sean McAfferty