Boston Herald

Top-ranked Norwell Clippers sail into semi

- By Jack Murray

Perhaps the worst kept secret in Division 4 boys hockey is that once Norwell scores once, the Clippers are an immediate threat to do it again. This recipe for success was in full effect in the top-ranked Clippers’ 5—0 victory over No. 8 Martha’s Vineyard in the state quarterfin­als.

Norwell (23—1—0) moves on to the semifinal where a matchup with No. 4 Grafton (22-2—0) awaits them. The Clippers reached this point a year ago, falling to eventual champion Sandwich in double overtime. Norwell coach Jim Casagrande said that the memory of that game is still with his team.

“Last year stung,” Casagrande said. “It’s a new year and it’s a different opponent. We’re excited to get to this point but (the players) are done with it. They are ready to go now.”

The final score was not the true story of the game, as the Clippers took nearly 28 minutes of game time before getting on the board. Much of this can be attributed to Vineyarder­s goaltender Zach

Mathias, who stopped the onslaught of opportunit­ies the Clippers threw at him.

“They made it really hard on us,” Casagrande said. “Even though we out-chanced them, it was 0-0 and that is all that matters.”

Austin Shea nearly broke the tie about halfway through the second frame, but it was called back due to an offside player. With 2:06 remaining in the frame, he utilized a flick of the wrist and found the top corner.

“It was a big jump start for our team,” Shea said. “I think that momentum coming into the locker room helped us put them away in the third.”

Within the first two minutes of the third period, the Clippers extended the lead to 3—0. The first came off the stick of Nolan Petrocelli, with linemate Joey Perniola adding another tally moments later.

This score would hold for a few minutes, but then it was Timmy Ward’s time to shine. The senior captain flashed exceptiona­l speed and scored twice within 30 seconds to give the Clippers the final 5—0 score.

“They open up the middle of the ice with their defenseman, so I am able to catch a pass from my defenseman and go through,” Ward said. “I just faked a shot and went around them to score.”

As the clock ran out and the Clippers earned the victory, the glamour of reaching this point was an afterthoug­ht. Shea said they are solely focused on finally breaking through.

“We got this same feeling last year but came up a little short,” Shea said. “We’re really hoping we can seal the deal in this next one and reach the final.”

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