Danny Velez tries to get past the West Springfield defender. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
WESTBOROUGH — It’s been an excellent stretch for Westborough hockey.
From Jan. 18 to Jan. 29, the Rangers played four games. All four games were wins, and all four games were shutouts, courtesy of junior goalie Terrell Messam. That’s nearly 200 minutes of hockey — and exactly zero goals conceded.
That defensive dominance was key Saturday afternoon. Messam stood firm in a fast-paced first period, keeping the game scoreless going into intermission. From there, the Rangers’ offense exploded, helping the team defeat West Springfield to the tune of 3-1.
It was Westborough’s fifth consecutive win.
“My defense has always been clearing the pucks in the middle, making sure I can see every shot. It always helps me out when the shots are coming from the outside. Not too many 2-on-1 opportunities, not too many odd-man rushes,” said Messam. “I know they have my back, so if I don’t have my best game, they can get pucks in the net and keep me stable.”
After Messam’s masterclass in the opening action, the Rangers’ offense came alive. Just 46 seconds after intermission, Luke Miller’s shorthanded goal put Westborough ahead 1-0, a lead the team would never relinquish. Less than four minutes after the go-ahead score, Thomas Cashman poked a rebound past the goalie and doubled his team’s lead.
“That’s our team’s attention to detail right there. We have attention to detail in our defensive zone from top to bottom, forward to [defense]. We came ready to go in that second period. We were able to pop one home, get the lead, and we never turned back,” Head Coach Dave Belbin told the Community Advocate after the win.
Westborough’s Joe Furbush looks for an open teammate. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
It was a chippy game, but that’s what this Westborough team is built for.
Toughness — you don’t win five straight without it.
“This team’s tough, really tough. They dig in, they play hard. We were 3-6 a couple of weeks ago, and now we’ve rattled off five in a row. We’re just a tough, tough group that doesn’t look back. We do things the right way,” said Belbin.
Danny Velez added the team’s third goal, an empty-netter, with 0:01 remaining.
Two players collide. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
Jackson Kelley brings the puck up the ice. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
Two players fight for possession of the puck. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
Chase Parsons rips a shot. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
A Westborough player keeps the puck away from the defender. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
Aidan Cashman looks for an open teammate. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
Will McCullough skates up the ice. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
Will McCullough takes a shot. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
Danny Velez fires away. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
