WESTBOROUGH – The Algonquin Regional High School (ARHS) boys varsity hockey game versus Westborough kept fans on the edge of their seats Jan. 4.
ARHS defeated Westborough 1-0 with just five minutes left in regulation play.
“I feel great about the win. The win was it,” ARHS Head Coach Gregory Cappello said. “It was a really tight game all the way and hard fought against a really strong opponent.”
Because the Rangers and Titans are rivals, Cappello said playing Westborough is “always a challenge.”
“We have a lot of respect for how they go about it. They play rough. They play physical and that challenges our guys to raise the level of our game and to hold up to the physical play and push through it,” Cappello said.
Junior Jack Gulachenski scored the game’s lone goal, which Cappello attributed to his patience and ability to be poised under pressure.
He said the other players who helped lead the Titans to victory include Jack Stiles, Jack Doolan, Owen Cacciatore and Andrew Hodge.
Though the team lost, Westborough Head Coach Chet Hallice said he was proud of his players.
“I believe in these kids,” he said.
Algonquin looks ahead to season
According to Cappello, the Titans’ goal for the season was to form their identity after they lost 10 seniors.
“We want to be a close-knit team and continue to win and improve week by week,” he said.
Their season record is 5-2 so far.
“We are on a good path for doing that [reaching their goal]. And everything else falls into place if we form our identity as a close-knit team who plays together, is tough defensively and can generate offense,” Cappello said.
He described the camaraderie of the team this season as “fantastic” despite having a small group of senior players.
“They [the seniors] have led the way from the start. Getting guys on board, bringing along new guys and really making sure that everyone has an equal place and an equal voice in the locker room,” he said.
