WORCESTER – Can winning too much become a disadvantage? Two Hudson hockey players answered that question Saturday: no.
After a physically exhausting (but undefeated) football season that ended on Dec. 4 at Gillette Stadium with an MIAA Division 6 Super Bowl championship, Owen Nanartowich and Toby Edie immediately had to focus on preparing for the hockey season, which was set to start less than 10 days later. One could forgive the duo for taking it easy after the title, but they chose to get right back to work.
After all, there’s no rest for the weary.
“We didn’t have them at practice for the first couple days, but I was very excited for them both, and I just was very excited – obviously, personally – for my own son, who was a captain on the team. I was just so happy we won,” said Owen’s father and Hudson Head Hockey Coach Michael Nanartowich. “The funny thing about Owen is I said [to him], ‘Owen, you have Thursday off,’ after they won it. He was like, ‘No, dad. I’m skating.’ He was at practice on Thursday. I was amazed by that.”
Despite the tight turnaround, the gridiron stars made the transition to the ice look effortless on Dec. 14 as they opened regular-season action against Northbridge. After an 8-2 win, senior captain Owen Nanartowich and sophomore Edie – who was banged up after the Super Bowl and returned to practice the Tuesday following the championship – agreed that while it took time to “get going,” they’re excited for the year ahead.
“I’d like to say it was natural, but I think Toby and I both needed that first period to get going with the speed. Obviously football, that’s probably our main sport for both of us, but going to hockey, that’s always special because my dad is behind the bench. It’s always a challenge, getting on the skates, getting moving,” said Owen Nanartowich.
“I got injured during the state game a little bit – it was hard to come back. I had to stay out of the first few practices and the first few scrimmages. Once I got on the ice, it was easy to be physical. I got my speed back throughout the first period,” added Edie.
From Gillette Stadium to DCU Center
After the success at Gillette Stadium, Hudson players found themselves in another big-time venue: the DCU Center, home of the Worcester Railers. The Hawks had competed at the 14,800-seat arena before, but never to start the season. The team embraced the opportunity to head down I-290 and compete in a professional setting.
“When we found out that game one we’d be at the DCU Center, our guys were very excited. It’s a great sheet of ice to play on; you don’t feel that the [crowd] is jam-packed on top of you. I told the guys about the opportunity we have here – in a great facility, and everything else. The guys really enjoy skating here,” said Michael Nanartowich.
And the Hawks got right to business. With four minutes remaining in the first period, Jordan Sousa’s shorthanded goal got Hudson on the board. Sousa would tally two more goals (both assisted by Timmy O’Malley, who also scored two) to earn a hat trick. The Sousa-O’Malley connection will be something to watch this year as both sophomores continue to improve.
“Sousa has great vision. He’s carrying on what he did last year. He started to find the net a lot last year … He works with a good friend of his, Tim O’Malley, and they have some natural chemistry together … They’re moving the puck real well. Goal-scoring is a tough thing … It’s nice to see those guys are making things happen offensively,” said Michael Nanartowich.
“We lost a couple seniors, a couple of my linemates. But this is a great group, a great family. Everybody came together and it was a hard-fought game for everybody. Me and my linemate work very well together, we play club together, and I wouldn’t have done it without him,” said Sousa. “Great way to start off the season.”
Sousa and O’Malley combined for five, and everyone got in on the action during a six-goal second period. Edie, Nolan Vasile, and Brayden Diodato rounded out the scoring, while Luke Lewis (2), Nanartowich (1), Devin Morton (1), and Sean Foley (1) each registered assists.
Hudson will face Burncoat High School, Blackstone Valley RVT, and Assabet Valley RVT before Christmas.
