By Meghan Foley
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
Last season, the Rockets were 12–18 and made it to the playoffs as the 21st-seed, but were knocked out of the first round by Archbishop WIlliams (seeded 12th). The Wellesley Raiders were 10–11–1 and were seeded 32nd, but were also eliminated in the first round. The two played each other twice last year, the Rockets coming out on top both times, 4–3 on December 23rd at home and 5–3 on January 15th at Wellesley. The Rockets will not see a chance at redemption against Archbishop Williams this year, at least not in the regular season.
The Rockets entered the game against Wellesley on the 23rd with an 0–1–2 record. Wellesley scored first with a goal by Cam Lynch, assisted by Finn Reilly and Brian Pezzulich, before freshman forward James Tobin tied things up with his first goal, assisted by junior forward Joe McDonnell.
In the second period, the Raiders pulled back into the lead with a goal by Evan Farley, assisted by Cam Lynch. Only 45 seconds later, though, Needham junior defender Will Song tied things back up with an assist by junior forward Carter Alderman, so quickly it took the crowd a moment to realize it had gone in.
Entering the third quarter 2–2, the Rockets moved into first when James Tobin scored with an assist by Joe McDonnell. But the Raiders didn’t let them enjoy the lead for long, scoring with just under three minutes left in the game, the goal by Aiden O’Donnell assisted by Finn Reilly, forcing the game into overtime.
Not quite halfway through the five minute overtime, Wellesley fans behind the Needham net believed the puck had gotten by junior goalie Carson Brownridge. The refs discussed but ultimately called a no goal. On the next play, Rocket junior defender and captain Matt Ledbury stole the puck in front of the Wellesley bench and went on a breakaway, the defense chasing behind him. Raiders goalie Conor Foley moved into position for the one-on-one but Ledbury was able to put away the goal, winning the game 4–3 in overtime.
Needham and Wellesley will play each other again on January 10th at Babson. The Rockets’ next game will be facing the Newton North Tigers at the John A. Ryan Arena in Watertown on January 7th at 5:45. The Rockets’ full schedule can be found at: www.arbiterlive.com.
