RANDOLPH – Defenseman senior Matt Morelli scored twice on Saturday, netting the game-winning goal in overtime to earn a 2-1 victory for Braintree boys hockey over Walpole in the Wamps’ season opener at Zapustas Ice Arena.
“Good way to start, ”said Braintree head coach David Fasano. “We got a long way to go, but we work hard. I think we put a lot of shot on that tonight. Walpole really made a lot of good stops… we outshot them pretty good but credit to Walpole, they battled that.”
In the early minutes of the game, junior defenseman Chris Anderson took a shot and junior forward Matt Swain almost scored on the rebound, but it was blocked on left side padding senior goalie Michael Roof.
The first power play of the game went against the Wamps with 11:44 left in the opening period after junior Aiden Hoyle went into the box for roughing.
Morelli was on the left side of the net outside of the left circle and shot it perfectly to give Braintree a 1-0 lead, assisted by senior defenseman Matt Hanlon.
“I remember getting the pass from (Hanlon), and without that pass, I don’t score that goal,” Morelli said. “We got a lot of traffic in front, I don’t think the goalie can see, and my shot (went into the net).”
The Wamps were looking to double their lead as forward junior Henry Kippenhan was on a breakaway looking to build momentum however, he couldn’t find the puck into the net.
With just under three minutes left on the clock, the Wamps came close to add to their lead once again. They were attacking the Walpole zone, but Braintree forward Luke Joyce went into the box for slashing, giving Walpole a power play that carried over to the next period.
In the second period of action, the Timberwolves turn the puck over as junior forward Mike Ryan took a shot and it was glove save by Roof. The Wamps had another power play opportunity late into the period, but they didn’t capitalize and after 30 minutes of play, Braintree held a 1-0 lead heading into the final period of regulation.
The Timberwolves had their backs against the wall in the final period, desperate to get onto the board. They were looking to even up the score in the early minutes, but the Timberwolves were denied by Braintree goalie Cam Barron.
However, the Timberwolves had another power play opportunity and junior Aiden Hoyle scored between the keeper’s legs to even up the score.
The Wamps later received a power play and looked to capitalize, but Walpole did well to kill off the play and both teams resumed at full strength strength.
The Timberwolves were inches away from winning the game in regulation when senior Landon Lipsett took a shot and hit the left side of the cross bar with 1:05 left in regulation. With the teams still tied after three periods of play, it was on to sudden-death overtime.
Braintree forward Jason Williams took a shot with under 3:30 left on the clock, but it hit the mask of Roof.
Senior defender Tommy O’Brien looked to win it for Walpole on a breakaway, but his shot went wide in the left side of the net. Braintree eventually took advantage of the situation with Morelli scoring with 2:06 left into the period. Morelli reacted first to a shot that rebounded off the Timberwolves’ keeper, sending the puck back towards goal to score the game-winner.
“My teammates kind of just shot it, and I kind of just went through the two defensemen and joined the pile for my rebound,” Morelli said.
Braintree (1-0) will look to carry this momentum forward when the Wamps take on Weymouth on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. at Connell Rink.
Walpole (0-1) will look to bounce back when the Timberwolves take on Milton on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. at Rodman Arena.
