Hockey Earns Spot in Semifinals at Nichols-Belmont Hill Tourney

Brunswick advanced to the semifinal round of the Nichols-Belmont Hill Holiday Tournament as the second-place finisher in the Green Division. Heading into Friday’s two-game slate, the Bruins had one win under their belt. On Friday, Brunswick dropped a 2-1 decision in the opener against Rivers, while skating to a 2-2 tie in the nightcap against New Hampton on the Belmont Hill ice. The Bruins (5-5-2) will face the host school, Belmont Hill (6-3-2), in the first semifinal at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday.

 

In the opening game on Friday, Brunswick fell to Rivers, ranked third in the latest USHR Prep Hockey Poll, on a late goal in the third period. The undefeated Red Wings (8-0-2) finished round robin play as the Green Division’s top seed (2-0-1).

 

With his team trailing 1-0 after two periods, Brunswick’s Jack Forrest netted his team-leading ninth goal on a 3-on-2 rush, tying the game at 1-1 in the third stanza.

 

Despite power play chances by both squads, the game remained tied before Rivers punched in the eventual game-winner with just over two minutes left to play.

 

For the game, Brunswick goalie Dan Dachille collected 25 saves.

 

In the final game of round robin divisional play at the tournament, the Bruins and New Hampton battled to a 2-2 tie. While the Huskies needed a win to advance out of divisional play, Brunswick could punch a ticket to the semifinals with a win or a tie.

 

Brunswick jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first period on Wilson Stephenson’s first goal of the season.

 

In the opening minutes of the second frame, Christian LeSueur (seventh goal) made it a 2-0 game for the Bruins.

 

New Hampton got on the board later in the second period on a power play and tied the contest at two midway through the third period.

 

Without an overtime session, the game ended knotted at two apiece.

 

Kimball Union (11-2-1), ranked first in New England, will battle third-ranked Rivers in the second semifinal. The two teams last met in last year's New England Championship, with Kimball Union winning, 6-2.