Attanasio Propels Boys Hockey to Victory

The Records: On Thursday, February 17 the hockey team (16-3-2) took on the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Panthers (12-8-2) at the Woodbridge Community Center. It was the final regular season game for both teams.

The Hero: Senior Nick Attanasio netted both goals for Westfield to give his team a win in its final regular season game.

The Score: 2-1, Westfield. Senior Nick Attanasio scored both of Westfield’s goals, as the Blue Devils came from behind to earn the victory.

The Panthers kept Westfield on the defensive through most of the first period. They attacked WHS’s junior goalie Steve Wronski with six shots on net, but he was up for the challenge. Wronski turned all of them away, and finished with 23 saves. Bridgewater-Raritan out-shot Westfield 6-3 in the first, and 24-15 for the game.

The Panthers broke the scoreless tie early in the second period on a goal by senior Tanner McWain.

Juniors Aaron Golding and Eric Luetters forced Westfield to turn the puck over near the blue line, and Golding subsequently found McWain wide open in front of the net. McWain deked to his right, thereby luring Wronski out of position for an uncontested shot to the far left.

“I was already going to go left, and it helped that the goalie went out for the poke check,” McWain said. “It took me by surprise, but it worked out.”

With 14:09 remaining in the period, McWain gave his team the 1-0 lead. Golding and Luetters were credited with the assists.

Five minutes later Bridgewater-Raritan committed the game’s first penalty. Sophomore Ted Sweeney was called for high sticking at 9:01, but his teammates killed the two-minute penalty.

Westfield nearly tied the game with 6:18 left in the second on a scrum in front of the Panthers’ net, but senior goalie Mike Haggerty made back-to-back saves to preserve the lead. When Haggerty held on to the puck to stop the clock, matching penalties were assessed to Bridgewater-Raritan senior Carl Meixsell for interference and Blue Devils sophomore Nick Grawehr for roughing.

While Meixsell and Grawehr were in their respective penalty boxes, Attanasio scored on a one-timer shot with 5:47 remaining in the period. Senior C.J. Meyer had the puck in front of the net and passed it out to the right for Attanasio. He then rifled it past Haggerty to tie the game at one. Along with Meyer, senior Colin Fitzhenry also earned an assist on the play.

Attanasio broke the tie, and scored what proved to be the game-winning goal with 5:40 left in regulation.

The opportunity came as a result of a turnover committed by the Panthers in their defensive zone. Attanasio’s shot was slightly to the right of Haggerty. Meyer garnered his second assist of the day on the goal, while sophomore Ryan Morse was credited with his first.

In the final minute, Bridgewater-Raritan head coach Patrick Alvin pulled his goalie for the extra attacker. It did little to help, though, as Westfield held on for the win.

The Quote: “We focused on trying force turnovers, getting the puck in deep, and taking it to the net, but we just didn’t capitalize on our opportunities,” McWain said. “Our blocked shots weren’t popping out right in front of the net, and that also made it a little more difficult for us.”

WHS interim head coach Bob Ritchie declined a post game interview request.

What’s Next: The Blue Devils will begin the Union County Tournament on Monday, February 21 at Warinanco Park. Game time and opponent are still to be determined.