Schools
Natick Hockey Pulls a Tie in Close Game
Natick Hockey was tie in the final minute of their game Saturday night.
'Good things happen when you put the puck on net.'
It may be one of the oldest hockey cliches around, but for the it held true Saturday night.
The boys varsity team skated to a 2-2 tie against Herget Division rival Norwood with emotions still very much alive— prior to the game the Mustang program took the time to honor senior with a donation and a moment of silence. The Natick hockey player died two weeks ago of natural causes.
Once the game began, Natick was able to get on the board first after Ryan Donahue put home a rebound from a Brandon Kwok blistering post-ringing shot from the point to take the lead 1-0. However, Norwood answered 23 seconds later as they took advantage of a rebound attempt of their own to tie the game 1-1.
After a scoreless second period, Norwood had looked to take a lead early in the third as the puck was in the back of the net. The goal was disallowed, however, ruled to have been kicked in the net by one of the Norwood forwards.
That didn't stop the Mustangs though. With just over four minutes to play, they slipped one past Derek Kwok to take a 2-1 lead and at the time, it was a lead they thought would stand up.
They were wrong...
After a great back-checking play from Andrew Newis to break-up a two-on goal open net breakaway and prevent a possible empty net goal (due to the goaltender pulled for an extra attacker in the final minute of play), the Red and Blue got the puck up the ice where Tim Dunn just threw the puck on net. Fortunately for Natick, the puck had eyes and did a skip and and a roll through the Norwood goalies pads to tie the game with just forty seconds to play.
As the Natick parents were busy commenting on the play of Natick goatender Derek Kwok, the overall conclusion was he basically “stood on his head” most of the night making one impressive save after another to help Natick get their seventh point with their record going to 2-2-3 on the young season.
Next up for the Red and Blue is a matchup against Acton-Boxboro, as they look to get a bit of revenge from last year when the former Natick coach, Bob Lavin, saw his current team beat Natick 5-1.
