An exciting game for the Springfield Pics Premier Hockey Team at the
Olympia Ice Center in West Springfield MA this afternoon. The Pics scored 2
goals in the 2nd period one by Nicolas Bondra, the other by Scott Swanson, to
take a 2-1 lead into the final 3rd period. A good South Shore Kings Team came
back to tie it at 2-2 until 4:44 left in the game. With a battle at the net the
Pics Brett Mercrones was able to push the puck in for a score in what proved to
be the winning goal.
#17 Pics (Premier) Brett Mercrones
Shown Scoring Winning Goal
Photo by Alfredo
Skidmore College's Assistant Coach, Mike Zannella, was there scouting the
game. It was great to see Skidmore represented since Western Mass has a
treasure chest of upcoming hockey talent proven by the MANY currently playing in
D1 and D3 hockey and the pros, as well as those on the way. I talked to Mike
briefly about Skidmore player, Mickey Foley, well known in Western Mass who played
for Cathedral High and the Pics. He said Mickey was an excellent player and an
even better person...a great guy! Always nice to hear.
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Earlier this season Pics U18 Coach, Rob Bonneau, mentioned that he had the
type of team this year that would steadily improve. Recently this has shown to
be true with 5 wins over the last 6 games, with a 2-1 showing this weekend at
the Olympia Ice Center. The Pics have recruited well with players from Florida,
Indiana, Ohio, New York, Minnesota, California, and of course various towns in
Connecticut and Massachusetts. They also have a player from Canada, and one from
Riga, Latvia who is the leading point getter on the team and an excellent hockey
player.
Pics U-18 Janis Vizabelis
Top Point Getter
From Riga, Latvia
Photo by Alfredo
The Pics U-18 is fun to watch since they are a very scrappy, never quit
bunch of players. This was exemplified Friday night where the Rochester Monarchs
kept taking the lead but the Pics fought back and were down 4-3 with only 9.4
seconds to play. Then the Pics scored to tie it at 4-4 ! They went into a 3 on 3
sudden death Over Time with nobody scoring . Then a Shoot Out. The Pics scored 2
goals in the Shoot Out to none for the Monarchs (Good goalie play by Pics Mike
Adorno) to win the game 5-4 ! It was an exciting and fun game to watch.
I encourage you to follow and watch the Springfield Pics for some very good Junior
level of hockey in the USPHL a league that is providing more and more players in
both D1 and D3 college hockey in the Northeast.
Al DiLascia
Image News Service
Footnote: Congratulations to the Springfield Thunderbirds, Springfield's
new AHL Hockey Team that won their home opener before a sold out Mass Mutual
Center packed with over 6,700 fans. Exciting it was as the game went into OT.
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