Courtesy: HCAM Television (Hopkinton Local Access)
On Wednesday, the South Sectional Champion, Hopkinton Hillers hockey team took on North Sectional Champion, Lowell Red Raiders at the Tsongas Arena. The 1st period featured nonstop action, Sean Walsh got the 9 goal period started 36 seconds in. At 12:03, Tommy Hamblet netted a goal with an assist by Kyle Rogers. 32 seconds later, Sean Walsh scored his 2nd goal of the period to make it a 3-0 game. Lowell responded with 2 goals of their own within the next 2 and a half minutes. 12 seconds after Lowell’s 2nd goal, Tommy Hamblet struck for a 2nd time with an assist by Sean Walsh to make it a 4-2 game. Lowell responded with a goal at 7:34 left but Sean Walsh secured a hat trick just 1 minute and 9 seconds later. Kyle Rogers added a 6th Hillers goal in the period with 34.8 seconds left. Hillers led after the 1st period 6-3.
After a crazy 1st period, the rest of the game was a defensive battle. The next goal came with just under a minute left in the 2nd period from Will Quinlan off of a tremendous assist by Dan Kirk. The only other goal would be an empty netter by Will Quinlan with 1:57 left in the 3rd period.
The Hillers advance to the State Championship game to take on Central Sectional champion Wachusett. The game will take place Sunday March 17th, 11am at the TD Garden in Boston.
In the below video, view highlights of the incredible win and post-game interviews with Coach Chris MacPherson, Sean Walsh, Dan Kirk and Kyle Rogers.
