D1 South Sectional State First Round: Rival Norwood Ends Walpole Boys' Hockey Season in Overtime

BOURNE - The Norwood High School boys' hockey team defeated Walpole, 3-2, in overtime Friday night at the Gallo Arena in Bourne.

The Mustangs advance to play Hingham Sunday in the MIAA Division 1 South Sectional quarterfinal round.

Walpole was able to come back with a vengeance in the third period, skating with a more aggressive game plan but still struggled to generate offense against Norwood, managing just five shots on goal in the period to Norwood's 12.

Walpole’s Todd McNamara scored seven minutes into the period, assisted by Derek Reinart and Tim Farrow, to force the game into overtime.

Norwood dominated the extra frame.

“I just told them to get the puck in the net,” said Norwood head coach Bill Clifford. “Shoot from everywhere, and go hard for the net. That’s what we did and it paid off in the end.”

Norwood kept the puck almost exclusively in Walpole territory for the majority of overtime.

Norwood’s John Galvin scored the game-winner, assisted by Glover.

“It was a very good run,” Clifford said. “It was a good game for us. Probably great for the fans to watch, but it was a little heart attack for us coaches.”

Walpole head coach Ron Dowd said his team played very well, but couldn’t get ahead of Norwood or match their shooting. In the end, Walpole had 24 shots on goal while Norwood had 37.

“Norwood’s a good team, I tip my hat and I wish them the best of luck,” he said. “Once we got our legs under us we started carrying the play a little bit, especially in the third period, but Norwood’s a good team. These kids gave everything they had an I’m very grateful for it.”

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UPDATE: 9:20 p.m.

Walpole's Tom McNamara scored to tie at 7:35 in the third period, forcing overtime.

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UPDATE: 8:50 p.m. 

The second period sees an increase in Walpole’s aggression and scoring, but Norwood is still leading them 2-1.

Four and a half minutes into the second, Walpole iwas controlling the puck more than in the first period and it paid off with a goal from John Macdonald, assisted by John White.

Norwood shot back to retake the lead with a goal from Mark Powers, assisted by Rourke Flynn and Tim Kent for a 2-1 lead.

Walpole had another opportunity to score and tie during a powe rplay c. Walpole was unable to capitalize on the advantage, however, and incurred a penalty themselves to cut their power play short and give Norwood an advantage.

While Walpole turned up the intensity, they could not hold on to the puck for long.

Norwood has 20 shots on goal as of the second period and Walpole has 14.

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UPDATE: 8:20 p.m. Walpole tied the score at one on a goal by John MacDonald with John White getting the assist at the 10:46 mark of the second period. 

UPDATED 8:11p.m.Norwood  started the game off strong with a  last minute goal in the first period for a 1-0 lead.

Norwood’s Tyler Grover scored first with 1:45 left in the period, assisted by John Galvin. The goal passed through Walpole’s net during a powerplay after a holding penalty was called on Walpole.

Norwood kept possession of the puck during most of the period, with 10  shots on goal as apposed to Walpole’s five.

UPDATE: 8:20 p.m. Walpole tied the score at one on a goal by John MacDonald with John White getting the assist at the 10:46 mark of the second period. 

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PREGAME:

The Walpole High boys' ice hockey is playing Norwood in the Division 1 South tournament tonight at the Gallo Arena in Bourne. Walpole Patch will be providing updated reports from the game.

The winner of the game will be back in Bourne to play Hingham in a 2 p.m. game Sunday. Hingham defeated Brockton, 6-0, in the first tourney.

Norwood is the seventh seed in the tournament with a 13-5-2 regular season record, while Walpole is 10th at 9-6-5. 

The Walpole High girls' ice hockey team was eliminated from the postseaon in a 1-0 heartbreaking loss to Duxbury, Friday afternoon.