Sports
Inching Closer: Boys Hockey Team Blanks Dedham
Red and Blue two points away from playoff berth.
Perseverance, determination and focus are just a few of the many things the Natick High School Boys Varsity Hockey team has shown in the second half of their season.
After starting the season 3-6, the Red and Blue have now won six out of their last seven to improve their record to 9-7, leaving them just two points shy of their third consecutive playoff berth.
Wednesday night the Red and Blue took care of business defeating the Dedham Marauders (5-10-2) by a score of 3-0.
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Natick goaltender Derek Kwok earned the shutout by stopping all 26 Dedham shots he faced.
Down the other end of the ice, Dedham goalie Matt Baron did the best he could to keep his team in the game, making 27 saves in the loss.
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Natick got on the board 9:30 into the first period when Andrew Newis scored after receiving a textbook cross crease pass, tape to tape pass, from Matt Kustra to give them a 1-0 lead, a lead they would never relinquish.
The Red and Blue outshot Dedham 12-9 in the second, but the shots were even at 9-9 in the second when neither team was able to put the puck in the net.
In the third period Natick was able to put Dedham away for good. Just 4:26 into the period Kustra scored (assisted by Newis and Tyler Kaplan) to give the Red and Blue a 2-0 lead.
Then, seven minutes later Kustra scored his second of the game (assisted by Newis and Johnny Bishop) after Natick goalie Derek Kwok made an initial pass to Bishop to start the offensive rush.
With four games to play on their season, Natick needs just two points to qualify for the MIAA tournament, and can get there by winning one game, or tying two of them. In fact, the Red and Blue can win the Bay State Herget Division by winning the rest of their division games.
The next game for the Red and Blue is Saturday night, February 12, at 6 p.m. at Norwood.
After Norwood, Natick will return home Wednesday night, February 16 versus Wellesley. Prior to the game the Natick seniors and their parents will be honored in the annual senior night ceremonies.
