Lapine, Wahconah Icers Open Season Strong
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Thirteen minutes into Wednesday's season opener against Taconic, the Wahconah hockey team had a 1-0 lead.
Then, all hell broke loose.
Wahconah scored six goals in the next three minutes -- including four goals in the first minute of the second period -- en route to a 12-5 win at the Peter W. Foote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Rink.
Nate Lapine scored five times for Wahconah, including twice during the one-minute blitz at the start of the second.
Mike Bloom scored 13 seconds into the period with an assist from Mitch Andrews. Eleven seconds later, Bloom scored again witn Andrews on the assist. Ten seconds later, Lapine scored from the slot with help from Vinnie Orlandi to make it 6-0.
Finally, just four seconds later, Lapine ripped a shot from just inside the blue line to give his team a 7-0 cushion.
Lapine said it was the first time he has been part of a sequence like that.
"We've definitely had it against us during states, but never in our favor," Lapine said.
Wahconah coach Don Disbrow his team was a little sluggish coming out of the gate, but once it kicked into gear it was able to generate some chances.
"It took us a while to get going," he said. "I thought the play was pretty even at the beginning. I was getting on the kids about moving their feet and picking up the pace a little bit. Once we did that, we started carrying the play.
"They've got good players and a decent two lines. The unfortunate part is they've got inexperience in net. They're going to be working on that, working those things out. And those kids will improve as they go through the season."
Taconic coach Steve Terpak said he went into the game with two goaltenders -- one who picked up the position last year in bantams and another who picked up the position this week. They combined for 14 saves, but Terpak knows it is going to be a learning process between the pipes.
"We have rookie, inexperienced goaltending, and unfortunately it's on of the key positions on the team," Terpak said. "When he makes a mistake, the red light goes on. When anybody else makes a mistake, they've got somebody behind them.
"But the kids didn't give up, they kept trying, and that's what I ask them to do: Keep trying, keep digging, find something positive to happen. And they did. "I'm proud of them for that."
Kevin Quinto scored four of Taconic's five goals in the third period as it cut into an 11-0 Wahconah lead. Andy Cella scored a goal, and Shane Tierney had a pair of assists.
For Wahconah, Andrew Beaudoin scored three goals and added an assist, and Orlandi and Mike Moreno scored a goal apiece.
Nico Romano stopped seven shots in two scoreless periods in the Wahconah goal before Cole Seaman came on to play the third.
Hunter Phair and Aaron Houghtaling shared goaltending duties for Taconic.
"Goaltnding is going to be an issue all year," Terpak said. "We're going to do everything we can ... to think of methods and strategies to keep them positive. That's going to be one of our key issues this year.
"We're going to work with the goaltenders. We have a special goaltending coach who puts on goalie clinics and is working with these goalies. But you know how it is. It takes years.
"But we are going to try our hardest. I give the kids credit. They don't quit."
Wahconah travels to play Turners Falls on Friday. Taconic hosts St. Mary's on Saturday night at the Boys and Girls Club.