WOBURN — Matchups like Tuesday’s matinee between the highest two groups within the MIAA Div. 2 boys hockey energy rankings are sometimes the springboard for a “statement win” this late within the 12 months.
Woburn was extra involved with simply getting again within the win column.
Following a three-game skid in Middlesex League Liberty play, that’s precisely what the Tanners did by defeating beforehand unbeaten Billerica, 5-1, within the opening spherical of the Irish American Shootout in-season match.
Senior Jack Lee (aim, two assists) joined linemate Jack McEleney as 100-point scorers within the win. Dillon Scallese potted two objectives. Particular groups starred in a momentum-shifting second interval, and Adam Gerry (25 saves) was clutch early on to stave off a sizzling Billerica begin.
So far as bounce-backs go, beating the highest ranked Indians (17-1-1) – the final undefeated group left in Div. 2 – is pretty much as good because it will get.
“We were just trying to win the next game because we’ve been leaking oil for the last couple weeks here,” mentioned Woburn head coach Jim Duran. “We knew the schedule going down the stretch (was tough). We’re battle tested every night. … We’re looking at it as, we’re trying to get ready for the tournament and this is a good battle game for them, too.”
“We knew they were a great team, obviously, them being (No. 1) and us being (No. 2) coming into it,” Lee added. “We just try to not really think about that during the game. … We came and gave a great effort, but we’ve still got a lot more to go.”
A Billerica turnover on the level helped Lee generate an early rush and feed Scallese for a 1-0 Tanners lead, however a lot of the primary interval’s second half noticed the Indians threatening in a significant construct of momentum.
A quick and bodily forecheck stored the strain up in lengthy waves, serving to Billerica get 10 pictures on aim. Woburn didn’t have any during the last 5 minutes of the body, whereas fairly a number of Indians probabilities have been simply one other inch or second shy.
Gerry got here up huge to keep up the 1-0 benefit.
“(Gerry) had to save us a little bit in the first period,” Duran mentioned. “They could’ve had two or three goals there. … We weren’t very good.”
Billerica picked up the place it left off within the second, lastly neutralizing the rating at 1-1 when James Columbus reduce in entrance of a shot towards the web to select it off, change the angle, and rating. Simply 23 seconds later, a Woburn journey then put the Indians on the ability play.
However Woburn’s Finn Murphy made a big-time hustle play to win a puck within the offensive proper nook that Billerica was gradual to assemble. He reduce in entrance with the puck off a pleasant transfer, and lifted it up and over for a shorthanded aim and the 2-1 lead.
Momentum actually shifted as penalties racked up the remainder of the body for each groups, and Lee’s power-play aim from the purpose with 26 seconds left within the second proved a significant increase heading into the intermission.
“They’ve got a really good power play,” Duran mentioned. “(Murphy) made a great individual play. … Senior leadership is something that we talk a lot about and they stepped up, the seniors.”
“We just stuck to our game plan,” Lee added. “We knew they were a physical team. We kind of just took it and kept skating, which we knew we kind of had the advantage of. It worked.”
Frustration appeared to kick in for Billerica with three extra penalties referred to as in opposition to it within the third interval to complete with seven. Woburn completed with six, however nonetheless generated two extra objectives.
McEleney tipped in a 4-1 lead within the first minute earlier than he and Lee arrange Scallese to blow it open.
Lee credited his rapport with McEleney when talking about what cracking 100 profession factors meant to him.
“I know it’s a good accomplishment, but (I have) great teammates,” he mentioned. “Jack (McEleney) is also on my line with 100. … Playing with him has been awesome the last few years. It’s helped a lot.”
