While most students headed home for Christmas break, Junior Team traveled to St. Sebastian’s to play in their annual tournament.
Jack Schlifke ’20 in action at the Olympic Center earlier this season (Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge).
In the first game of the weekend, the Junior Team faced off against Williston School. Starting the game with good pace was Northwood as they controlled the play, outworking Williston on both ends of the rink. The first goal of the game came from Felix Trudeau (Forward, 2021) and a feed from Elijah Devereaux (Forward, 2020). For the rest of the period, neither teams found the back of the net, giving Northwood just a one-goal lead heading into the second period.
Starting the second half, the Junior Team looked to defend their lead and take home a victory. Will Donato (Forward, 2021) found the back of the net to double the lead and make it 2-0 with twenty minutes to play in the game. But things would take a turn for the worst as Williston scored two power-play goals to send the game to overtime. At the start of overtime, Northwood looked to close the game off with some excellent opportunities but failed. After overtime, the game headed to a shootout where again Northwood wasn’t able to score and ended up facing a bitter loss.
The following morning, Northwood played against RIvers School. Neither teams scored until seven minutes left of the first period when Nate Boak (Defense, 2020) obtained a goal. Going into the half with a lead, Northwood looked to defend their lead and close out the game. But Rivers got a goal of their own to tie the game with one minute into the second half. Trudeau responded with a goal to take back the lead just minutes later, and then Jack Schlifke (Forward, 2020) found the back of the net to double the lead. The Junior Team defended well for the rest of the game and not let Rivers score again. Minutes before the game was over Zachary Sedlacek (Forward, 2022) scored to give Northwood a 4-1 win.
Coming off a good win, Northwood was ready to capture another win to go 2-1 on the weekend. The Junior Team would face off against Winchendon, where they would get off to a hot start from a goal by Cisco DelliQuadri (Forward, 2020). Winchendon responded quickly with a goal of just minutes later. Northwood scored again with a goal from Devereaux to take back the lead, but yet again, Winchendon struck back with another goal to tie the game going into the half. Going into the half, Northwood knew that they needed to shut down their opponent to win the game. That is precisely what they did for the entire half. They did not let Winchendon get any goals. Northwood also added goals from Trudeau, Devereaux, and Daniel Colabufo (Forward, 2020) to take the 5-2 victory to end the weekend.
Going 2-1 in the St. Sebastian’s tournament, Northwood will go on winter break and then head to Merrimack College for the True Prep Cup.
