After connecting a clinical string of passes, the Blue Devils moved swiftly down the ice, finding junior Conor Heffernan, who ripped a shot into the top left corner of the net. Not even twenty seconds later, another team effort by Westfield resulted in Heffernan doubling down and finding the net once more, solidifying the fate of the Cranford Cougars.
On Jan. 5, the WHS boys ice hockey team faced Cranford for the second time this season. In their 8-1 win over the Cougars, the Blue Devils proved their offense is a powerhouse, with six different players finding the back of the net.
From the opening face-off, Westfield controlled the tempo of the game. Crisp passing and strong puck movement allowed the Blue Devils to spend the majority of their time constantly pressuring the Cougars’ defense.
Heffernan, a crucial offensive presence for the blue devils, emphasized the importance of teamwork throughout. “I feel like today was a group effort,” he said. “We all contributed to the second period with a bunch of good passes. We all like to contribute equally.”
Defensively, Westfield was just as sharp. Collectively, they hardly missed a beat, demonstrating their top-level discipline. Head coach Joe Bartucci credited Westfield’s defensive efforts with limiting Cranford’s chances. “We didn’t give up many shots. We only had 5 total on goal and the defense helped move the puck up ice to contribute to the offense,” he said.
The Blue Devils controlled the momentum of the game for the duration, apart from a minor wrinkle halfway through the third period. Despite senior defenseman Luke Fitzgerald sprawling himself into the net to block the initial shot, the consequent follow-up by the cougars found a way to sneak through.
Junior goalkeeper Matthew Grillon tallied 15 saves on the night, playing a pivotal role in the Blue Devils’ defensive presence. His stellar individual effort for the Blue Devils’ defense was undeniable. Still, Grillon attributes the overall success the team found to the defensemen surrounding him, stating, “The team played great in front of me and didn’t let many shots up.”
The Blue Devils are back in action this Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. at Warinanco Park once again to face off against West Essex.
