Turnovers Hold Wildcats Back, Lose 7-5 to Berkshire

by Team Reporter Nate Gordon ’16

The Wildcats displayed in each period against Berkshire (9-5-1) on Saturday, January 17th, that they were capabale of competing and scoring against the Bears.  However, numerous turnovers and a lack of protection in front of its own net prevented Williston Boys Hockey (6-7-1) from staying in this game.

Williston Head Coach Derek Cunha told the team after the game, “Every turnover we had resulted in a goal for them. We did a lot of really good things out there today, but we leave here, down 7-5, because of bad plays, just irresponsible with the puck all across the ice.”

Down by three goals in the third period, Williston scored two goals to cut the Bears’ lead to one. With 1:29 to play, Williston turned the puck over to Berkshire in the defensive zone and the Bears eventually knocked the puck into the net off a rebound to take a 7-5 lead.

Williston senior captain Rourke Ferguson said after the game, “I think we did a good job just not giving up [in the third period]. We were moving the puck well. Moving forward we need to be better defensively, we have to backcheck and cover our man.”

This week, the WIldcats captured four of a possible six points to move up in the standings. With this loss, the Wildcats moved to one game below .500.

Last Saturday, the Wildcats tied the Bears 3-3 in overtime at Williston. Berkshire’s ice surface is Olympic sized; the rink is fifteen feet wider than an NHL rink, the size that most prep schools have.

The Wildcats were without first-line forward Nick Schofield who injured his knee on Friday night against Winchendon. This meant that most members of the team were playing on different lines than usual.

Senior forward and captain Tyler Scroggins had a goal and two assists in this game. Scroggins has recorded ten points since the team’s last game against Berkshire. In his second year on the team, Scroggins leads the team with 19 assists and 24 points.

This upcoming week, the Wildcats have two away games against Vermont Academy and Gunnery. The WIldcats’ first game against Gunnery this season, a game marred by penalties, resulted in a 9-5 home loss for the Wildcats.

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