Western Mass. Top 10 Poll
| Rank | Team | [tooltip text="PR*" gravity="ne"]Previous Ranking[/tooltip] | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnechaug | 1 | 13 | 2 | 0 |
| 2 | Longmeadow | 2 | 12 | 4 | 0 |
| 3 | E. Longmeadow | 3 | 11 | 4 | 1 |
| 4 | Westfield | 4 | 6 | 9 | 1 |
| 5 | Amherst | 5 | 11 | 1 | 3 |
| 6 | Chicopee | 7 | 10 | 4 | 0 |
| 7 | Chicopee Comp | 6 | 10 | 4 | 2 |
| 8 | Wahconah | 8 | 9 | 3 | 1 |
| 9 | West Springfield | 9 | 6 | 10 | 1 |
| 10 | Belchertown | 10 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
The importance of special teams was never more evident than it was during No. 6 Chicopee’s 5-2 win against crosstown rival No. 7 Chicopee Comp.
The Colts failed to capitalize on a two-man advantage late in the game and the Pacers held on for the victory against the reigning sectional Division 3A champs.
Ben Jablonski, John Baker and freshman Mike Palermo keyed the penalty kill against the area’s highest-scoring offense.
No one gave the Pacers much of a chance after graduation took many of their top players away. One of the Pacers’ young players, sophomore Ryan McDonough scored two goals, including one late in the second period to give his team a 2-1 lead.
Dominic Gallant and Dan Doyle were outstanding on defense for the Pacers. The win ended a three-game losing streak for Chicopee and assured the Pacers of a Division 3A tournament berth.
Cam Mariani scored four goals for his first career hat trick in No. 1 Minnechaug’s 10-4 triumph over Marlborough. Noah Hemenway had two goals and an assist. Matt Kowal, Tyler DeCarolis, Liam Walsh and Josh DeCarrolis each had one goal and an assist. Eric Symnczyk had 14 saves and John Hardin had six saves in his first varsity appearance.
No. 2 Longmeadow earned its second straight win over a Central Mass. opponent with a 2-1 decision over Groton-Dunstable. No. 3 East Longmeadow got a goal and an assist from Nick Corbin in its independent, 4-1 win over Abington. The Spartans secured a tournament berth earlier in the week with an 8-3 win over No. 9 West Springfield.
No. 4 Westfield is doing it with defense and goaltending. Cam Parent’s 26 saves sparked a 2-0 win over Wachusett.
The race for the final playoff spot in Division 3 got a lot closer after Ludlow stunned Agawam, 5-3. The win enabled the Lions to pull to within one point of the fourth place Brownies.
No. 5 Amherst had a big offensive output in its 11-1 triumph over Turners Falls.
No. 8 Wahconah boosted its playoff hopes after it beat West Springfield and now the Warriors are within one point of clinching a tournament spot. No. 10 Belchertown remains in the hunt after a 3-2 win over South Hadley.
