This is the sixth installment of the 2025-26 Western Massachusetts Boys Hockey Top 10. Pope Francis, though, competes as an independent team, so they won’t be a part of this project. But the rankings will be updated weekly throughout the winter regular season.
If there are missing statistics, coaches can please send them to sports@masslive.com.
Previous Rankings: Dec. 11, Dec. 19, Jan. 7, Jan. 14, Jan. 21
- Greenfield (8-5-1, No. 2)
- East Longmeadow (7-5, No. 1)
- Westfield (7-6, No. 3)
- Longmeadow (7-5-1, No. 5)
- Minnechaug (9-3, No. 4)
- West Springfield (5-8-1, No. 6)
- Ludlow (6-7, No. 7)
- McCann Tech (8-1, No. 8)
- Taconic (4-7, No. 9)
- Easthampton (6-7, No. 10)
As of Wednesday, there is a new top boys hockey team in our Western Massachusetts rankings. And for sound reasoning, as Greenfield (8-5-1, 6-3-1, .650 PCT) has claimed eight of its last nine overall games to stay mere percentage points behind Westfield (7-6, 6-3, .667 PCT) for first place in the Berry Standings.
The Green Wave’s last four wins have come against Westfield, Minnechaug, East Longmeadow, and Hopedale by a combined score of 18-9.
Greenfield, though, will have an opportunity to leapfrog the Bombers in the standings since they are scheduled to compete against each other on Thursday inside Collins/Moylan Arena at 3:15 p.m.
Regardless, though, it will be an essential outcome for either team, especially since Greenfield (three) and Westfield (two) only have five combined league games left on their respective schedules.
Super 7 selection Alexander Hensch has recorded 12 goals and six assists for a team-best 18 points for Longmeadow through 13 games thus far. But none of those tallies were bigger than Hensch’s game-winning goal against Amherst last Saturday.
“We were working well as a team and getting a lot of chances,” said Hensch of the game winner. “I had a chance and just went for the slap shot. I was like, ‘Why not?’ And it ended up going in. But yeah, definitely a team goal. Everybody was trying to do their part to get the winner.”
But if the Lancers hope to extend their winning streak to five games against Westborough inside the North Star Youth Forum on Saturday, they will need Hensch to continue making essential plays as mentioned.
Longmeadow will also attempt to snap its three-game losing streak against Westborough. The Lancers have been outscored by a margin of 11-1, dating back to 2023. The puck drop time for their upcoming game is 5:30 p.m.
Other essential games to watch during the eighth week are Easthampton versus Taconic at the Pittsfield Boys & Girls Club on Wednesday at 7:15 p.m., while Pope Francis is set to welcome Shrewsbury to Olympia Rink on Thursday at 6:40 p.m.
There is also a tripleheader scheduled inside the same location on Saturday, with Ludlow versus East Longmeadow to start the fun at 12:30 p.m. Next is West Springfield against Minnechaug at 2:30 p.m., right before Chicopee and Agawam will conclude the festivities at 4:30 p.m.
