One Sided Battle: Acton/Boxboro Defeats Red and Blue Hockey Team

When it was all said and done, it was some return for former Natick High School hockey coach Bob Lavin.

Returning to William Chase Arena  for the first time since departing as the Red and Blue coach three years ago, and as an opposing coach, Lavin led his Acton/Boxborough Colonials (5-3-1) to a decisive 6-1 victory over Natick (3-6) in what was an out of conference game for both schools.

Acton/Boxborough came storming out of the gates, never giving Natick a chance to get their feet wet in the game, scoring just 46 seconds into the first period on a goal by Tom Hannahan.

The bad news for Natick was that Hannhan's goal wouldnt be the only tally of the period. In fact, the Colonials scored three more first period goals at 5:49, 12:01 and 14:10 into the period.

Kurt Tugah, Brian Manlil and Travis Hamilton all scored in that stretch to give Acton/Boxboro a commanding 4-0 lead going into the first intermission.

In the first period Natick goalie Derek Kwok was peppered with 16 shots on net, while Natick was only able to get the puck on net two times in the first 15 minutes of play.

Acton/Boxboro put the game away in the second, getting two more goals past Kwok. Their first of the second period, and fifth of the game, came just 3:46 into the period when Justin Stewart scored. Then, about six minutes later the Colonial's Mike Belicley made it 6-0.

Despite trailing 6-0, Natick came out strong in the third period, having their best statistical period of the game.

The Red and Blue were able to get one goal in the third as Johnny Bishop followed a rebound attempt from Matt Kustra and Ryan Nee (both getting assists on the goal), to keep Natick from being shutout for the third time this season.

By the end of the game, Natick was outshot 39 to 16 as they lost their fourth in  a row.

Next up for Natick is a game against Herget Division rival Wellesley. The game is Wednesday, Jan. 19th at 8:00 p.m. at Babson College.