Arlington, MA – With a special shoutout to the folks at MyHockeyLive, we were able to take in today’s first game between the undefeated 10-0-0 Tewksbury Redmen from D2 and the Waltham Hawks at 6-2-2 from D1. This game was the first on the day from the quarterfinal round of the Ed Burns Coffee Pot Tournament, taking place at, you guessed it, the Ed Burns Arena in Arlington.
The first period was territorially dominated by Tewksbury, they came out very aggressive and were pinching at the blue line to keep possessions going. Waltham was able to limit their quality shots but there were a few good chances where Hawks goalie Jack Perry was the difference. Tewksbury was quick to exit their zone and looked to keep the pressure on, and they relied on their big forwards to win along the walls as well. Their game in the neutral zone was key as well, they clogged things up defensively generating turnovers that they used to create transition. As the period wore on, Waltham began to push back and with about three minutes to go they were generating the lion’s share of the chances, including a sparkling look all alone in front for junior Drew Anderson as he was streaking to the net. The first period ended at 0-0, but we wouldn’t be surprised if that changes quickly in period 2.
In the middle frame, Waltham came out with some fight and started to own the neutral zone and created a few nice chances of their own to take the momentum back. This however was short lived as Tewksbury was able to gather the puck cleanly in their own end and zip accurate outlets to their forwards in-stride. Just as the Redmen were beginning to reclaim the puck possession battle there was a slick red line pass cross-ice from senior star defender Caden Connors who found sophomore Jeremy Insogna streaking up the right wing who buried top shelf as part of a 2-on-1 break to make it 1-0 Tewksbury. This goal began to galvanize the Redmen’s attack and they were trying more and more often for home run passes, most of which were either knocked down or the puck carrier was forced wide. But in the words of Mark Jackson…”Mama there goes that man“: Connors wasn’t done as he saw sophomore forward Matthew Cooke at the blue line six minutes later and flipped it over everyone’s heads right to him. Cooke went in all alone, hesitated and buried glove side: 2-0 Tewksbury. The advantage at the start of the third period would be Waltham’s as Tewksbury was whistled for a penalty at the 15 minute mark.
In the final stanza, Tewksbury started off on the right foot by killing the penalty and creating a Grade A scoring opportunity shorthanded for Matthew Cooke. Shortly thereafter, they put more pressure on the Hawks as junior forward Brady Chapman grabbed the puck behind the net and dished it off to (who else?) Connors at the top of the circle, who deposited it bar down to make it 3-0 Tewksbury. Waltham would not go quietly as they took advantage of a power play seven minutes later. Speedy Waltham senior defender Justin Cormier broke into the offensive zone off the left wing and cut to the net, putting a shot on goal up high that produced a rebound that junior forward Kevin Dann was able to bury from the weak side: 3-1 was now the score. A minute later, the Redmen took another penalty and Waltham pulled Perry to make it a 6-on-4 halfway through the infraction. They were unable to convert on the two-man advantage and then it was that dude Connors who flipped a puck over everyone from his own red line and it trickled into the empty net: 4-1 final as Tewksbury moves on to the Semifinals and Waltham will play in the Consolation bracket. Four point afternoon for Caden Connors.
Three Stars:
- D Caden Connors, Tewksbury
- G Ben O’Keefe, Tewksbury
- D Justin Cormier, Waltham