NATICK – Struggling to score and mired in a three-game losing streak entering last Sunday’s game, the Bantam Natick Chill (2-3-0) put those woes behind them as they took to the ice at the William L. Chase Arena and defeated the Central Mass Cobras, 6-5, scoring a season-high in goals in the process.
The opening period set the stage for a tight match between two evenly matched teams, both sides taking turns controlling throughout the first and scoring once in the frame. Central Mass grabbed the game’s first lead on a Tim Murphy goal at 4:59, with Natick taking over later in the period and drawing back to even on a David Drew goal at 10:48.
The Cobras found themselves back on top by one early in the second, Eamon Croucher scoring off a rebound less than a minute in, but as the period wore on, the fresher legs and a rekindled scoring touch for the Chill began to tip the scales.
Ethan Colgan answered Croucher’s tally just 20-seconds later to draw things back to even at 2-2, starting a run of four unanswered for the Chill that put Natick on top 5-2. Jacob Slotnick, Andrew Christlieb and Brendan Carr joined Colgan as goal scorers in the run.
Central Mass cut their deficit to a more manageable two on a Danny Rafuse goal late in the second to make it 5-3, but Natick’s three goal advantage was restored in the opening minute of the third on the second of the game from Drew. The quick Chill response proving vital in victory.
As happened in the Peewee game earlier in the day at Chase, the Cobras embarked on a third period rally to cut into the Chill’s lead and make for an interesting finish. A Ryan Corbett goal at 4:57 put Central Mass down two at 6-4 and then Ethan Blanchard made it a one-goal game with just under 2:30 to play in regulation.
Unlike their Peewee brethren, however, the Bantam Cobras’ rally was unable to get up and over their opponent. Though Natick was unable to convert and gain a little insurance with the goaltender pulled, the Chill did hold possession through much of the closing minutes, not allowing the Cobras to complete their comeback and holding on for the 6-5 victory.
