Billerica Knocks Off Shrewsbury 5-1

Billerica, MA – Thanks to the wonders of the internet and the fine folks over at LiveBarn, we were able to take in tonight’s game between the Colonials of Shrewsbury who made the trek east to face the Indians from Billerica. Both teams come into tonight’s game off of wins in their previous games. Shrewsbury had won it’s last two against Algonquin and Westford Academy while Billerica shut out Triton in their last game. Who would come out the victor tonight? We would find out in 45 minutes…

In the first period neither team was able to truly grab the momentum. Both teams created quality scoring chances but each goalie was up to the task even under heavy duress. The first few minutes were firewagon action, with good looks at the net coming on both ends. Then as we neared the halfway mark of the frame, the chirping really began to pick up and the march to the penalty box ensued. The physicality picked up as the minutes ticked by and tempers started to flare after many of the whistles. Both teams were assessed a series of minor penalties but the biggest call came on a five-minute boarding major on the Indians. Luckily for them the Colonials were unable to take advantage in the first 3:30 and the period ended with the score still tied at 0-0.

In the second period, Billerica got some early momentum on their side by killing off the remainder of the major penalty. They amassed some time in the attacking zone but came up empty. First blood was drawn by the Colonials a few minutes later as senior forward Alex Martin cruised up the left wing and snapped home a wrist shot far side and celebrated in front of the Indians fans: 1-0 Shrewsbury. Billerica would answer just 23 seconds later as senior Jack Smith stole a puck in the offensive zone and waited out the goalie to flip it over him on the backhand: 1-1 was our score with 8:30 left. Nearly four minutes later the Colonials were whistled for an infraction and sophomore D James Tucker made it hurt with a shot from the point through a screen that trickled in to make it 2-1 Billerica. The assists came from defenseman Joe Harty and forward Chris Viscione. Two and a half minutes later it was deja vu: another Colonials penalty and another Indians power play goal, this one was put home by senior Justin Cataldo off a quick dish from Dan Viscione: 3-1 Billerica. Shortly thereafter the Indians were whistled for a double minor but maintained their momentum off a turnover caused by senior captain Paul Egan which sent Chris Viscione in alone to score blocker side: 4-1 Billerica. The game again began to get a bit chippy after the whistles and the Indians were called for another minor penalty. The Colonials would end the period with a 5-on-3 power play trailing by three scores.

In the final stanza, Shrewsbury looked to capitalize on it’s two man advantage with the intermission break to work on their tactics. Unfortunately for them, junior goaltender Ethan Cliff turned away every shot, plus Billerica was able to block a couple as well. There was even another minor tacked on during the 5-on-3 and Shrewsbury was still unable to break through despite four minutes of man advantage time at the start of the period. That largely set the tone for the end of this one as they were unable to establish additional consistent zone time and then five minutes later, senior defenseman Mike Riddle pinched down the right wing to keep a play alive and fed Cataldo out front for an easy tap-in to make it 5-1, which would be our final score in tonight’s game.

Three Stars: