Fiberglass Shield Gives Norwood, Martin Big Lift-This Day In Norwood History-March 1, 1971

Norwood High center Mike Martin with an assist from townsman Ernie Higgins will be able to play in the Eastern Mass. Hockey Tournament this week. Higgins is the man who designs face masks for net minders up and down the hockey ladder from pros to high schoolers. His son, Neil, is a former Norwood goaltender who now toils for Boston College.

But Ernie is also adept at making other protective devices. When Martin, the team’s top scorer, suffered a 27-stitch skate gash on his back in the regular season windup vs. Dedham Higgins came to the rescue. “It was the worst cut I’d ever seen a hockey player get,” said Norwood coach Don Wheeler, whose team won the Bay State League title, finishing 16-0-2. “Two days after the accident, Ernie fitted Mike with a fiberglass shield.

It protects the stitched area, plus the bruised ribs. I don’t think Mike could be playing this week if it wasn’t for Higgins.” Norwood, seeded No. 3 for the tourney (which began today), has been paced all season long by the senior trio of Martin (23-29 52), his linemate, Phil Nolfi, and defenseman Bob Thornton.

Nolfi scored 31 goals, breaking Rich Hebner’s school record, while Thornton, the team captain was just named the Bay State League’s most valuable player. “They’ll all be playing with some kind of injury though,” added Wheeler, “Nolfi sprained his ankle last Wednesday in a scrimmage, and Thornton has a separated shoulder that keeps popping out. He’ll need an operation right after the season. The MVP award was quite an honor for Bobby.”

That kind of thing usually goes to a big scorer. He means a lot to us, and I know he’s been playing in some pain.”

Despite the fact it racked up the first undefeated hockey season in the school’s history, Norwood wasn’t seeded No. 1. But Wheeler isn’t complaining. “Maiden Catholic was seeded first, and they won 19,” said Don.

“Arlington was second, and they won 17. I think the seeding was fair. Frankly, if we were rated No. 1, I’d be a pretty nervous guy. That can be a jinx sometimes because everybody wants to knock you off.” Norwood’s aggressive team doesn’t play its first-round game until Thursday at the Arena.

Wheeler finds the layoff to his liking because of his team’s skating wounded. “The rest will do some of them a lot of good,” he added. The opponent will be either Billerica or Maiden. , “I haven’t seen either team yet this year, but I’ll be scouting them (today at 7:50 p.m. at the Arena in the preliminary,” said Don.

“Billerica has been on a winning streak. Maiden had to play some clutch hockey at the. end of their season to stay alive for the tournament, and they did.” And what about Needham, the defending Eastern Mass. and State champs? Needham was second in the Bay State League. “They could still be dangerous because they have a great player in Steve Dagdigian,” said Wheeler.

“But when a team graduates players like Robbie Ftorek and Chuck Lambert, it means a lot of pressure on Steve. That’s a pretty young tournament team.” 

By Marvin Pave Globe Staff

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