VIDEO: First Round KO: Boys Hockey Moves On

First, the Boys Varsity ice hockey team won 12 games in the regular season, the most recorded wins on record since 1989.

Then, Wednesday night, in front of an electric crowd at William Chase Arena, the Red and Blue (13-8)  made a loud opening playoff  statement in defeating Archbishop Williams High School (9-7-5) by a score of 5-1.

In the first round of the Division 1 South MIAA hockey tournament the Red and Blue were playing at home, a rare occasion in boys hockey playoff scenarios. Coming in Natick was the eighth seed, while Archbishop Williams was the nine.

Natick got off to a fast start scoring just 2:25 into the first period. After a scramble and a few shots on net, Andrew Newis (assisted by Johnny Bishop) was able to swipe the puck in, after it had been lying by goaltender Joe Vanay for a few seconds, to give Natick the all important first goal. 

Then, six minutes later, Natick gave the fans- their biggest crowd all season, more reason to cheer. Newis and Tyler Kaplan set up Matt Kustra’s first goal of the game, after he crashed the net and put home the rebound to give Natick a 2-0 lead.

Heading into the first intermission, Natick seemingly had control. They led 2-0 on the scoreboard and had outshot Archbishop Williams 12-11, as Natick goalie Derek Kwok made several big saves to keep the score the way it was.

However, the second period appeared to be a totally different game. Archbishop Williams came out physical, using persistent hitting to get Natick on edge, and more importantly off their game. Natick only managed five shots in the second period, while Archbishop found the net seven times, including one that found the back of the net.

The Archbishop Williams goal came with just under six minutes to play, and while on the power play. Mike Boyle, assisted by Derek Newhall and Bill Sweezey, was able to put the third rebound opportunity past Kwok to cut the lead to 2-1 and give them some life heading into the third.

Natick however made the third period all about them. With the crowd heavily in Natick’s corner, they were able to put three pucks past Vanay in the Archbishop Williams net to put the game away for good.

First, Bishop netted his first of the game from Kustra and Newis just over one minute into the third period. Then, Kustra got his second goal of the game at the 8:58 mark of the period. Finally, Bishop iced the game with his second of the game as well, which sent the Natick faithful into a few spirited chants.

Natick outshot Archbishop Williams 31-28 in the game as Kwok made even bigger saves in the third period.

The win marks the second time in three years Natick is moving on to the second round and the first time under Coach Karl Infanger.

Next up for Natick is a game against the number one seed, Springfield Cathedral, this Saturday, March 5, Asiaf Arena in Brockton.  Time to be announced.