NASHOBA EARNS STATE TITLE SHOT
Lowe scores twice for Wolves in semifinal victory
LOWELL >> The magical run continues for the Nashoba Regional boys hockey team.
Entering the Division 3 state tournament as the No. 11 seed, the Wolves weren’t necessarily a favorite to make a deep run.
On Sunday af ternoon, Nashoba continued to defy odds as it punched its ticket to the state title game at the TD Garden next weekend in convincing fashion, as the Wolves dominated play from start to finish in a 4-1 victory over 10thseeded Triton Regional at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.
“As the 11-seed, I think it was a little bit of a revenge tour for us,” said Nashoba head coach Matt Biggs. “For this group, I couldn’t be prouder because they really deserve it.”
The Wolves wasted no time taking control in this one as senior Ryan May jumped on a rebound and deposited a shot into the back of the net, giving Nashoba a 1- 0 lead just 49 seconds into the contest.
With 9:47 left in the opening period, senior captain Dilan Lowe scored what proved to be the eventual game-winner when his shot hit the chest of Triton goalie Wes Rollins’ chest before jumping over the netminder’s shoulder into the back of the net. Nashoba took a 2- 0 lead into the locker after 20 minutes as the Wolves outshot the Vikings, 11- 6, in the opening period.
“It is huge,” Biggs said of his team’s fast start. “As much as we try to get the boys prepared playing on ice like this, in a rink like this and a game like this, the nerves are there so when it goes in really early you can feel the weight get lifted a little bit.”
In the middle frame, senior Joseph Quinn scored a power play goal as Nashoba extended its lead to 3- 0 heading into the final period.
Triton got on the board with 12:59 left in the third period when sophomore Mason Colby scored on an assist from classmate Josh Hersey.
But, like he has done all year, shut the door on any chances of a comeback. Mattocks wasn’t tested often but came up with 14 saves for the Wolves.
“(Mattocks) has been incredible,” Biggs said. “As a junior, he has stepped up big for us. If you look at his playoff numbers, he is in the mid 90s and his goals against average has to be in the low ones, so he has taken us this far if you want to be honest.”
Nashoba put the game away when Lowe scored an empty net goal with 41.9 seconds left remaining to send the fans into a frenzy.
The Wolves now get the opportunity to avenge last year’s season ending loss to Scituate when they play the top-seeded Sailors in the Division 2 state title game to be played at the TD Garden at a time to be determined next Sunday.