Taconic Hockey Returns to Western Mass Final

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Brayden Bishop scored two goals and assisted on two more Wednesday to lead the Taconic hockey team to a 4-2 win over Greenfield in the semi-finals of the Western Massachusetts Class B Tournament.

 

Taconic, which lost to Greenfield in last year's Class B title game, avenged that defeat and earned a spot in Saturday's 12:30 p.m. final against Ludlow at the Olympia Ice Center.

 

Ludlow Wednesday won its semi-final, 8-3, over Southwick.

 

Taconic got 42 saves from keeper Cam LaFerriere in its semifinal win.

 

Dom Velasco and Cody Soper each scored a goal. Velasco also had a pair of assists. Gabe Fahey and Roshan Warriar each set up a goal.

 

The win over Greenfield may have assured Taconic a spot in next week's Division 4 State Tournament. The Thunder (7-8-3) were ranked 30th in the state in the most recent MIAA in-season power rankings, released on Tuesday Saturday morning.

 

The top 32 teams plus teams with a .500 or better record after Thursday will be seeded into the Division 4 bracket, set to be released on Saturday morning. By design, the Western Mass tournament finals (in hockey and basketball and other “bracket” sports) are not counted by the MIAA for state tournament seeding purposes.