Second Line Key For Norwood in Emass Final-This Day In Norwood History-March 15, 1971

The Norwood shift is on for tonight’s Eastern Massachusetts Hockey Tournament 7:30 final at Boston Garden that matches the undefeated Bay State League champions against highly regarded Arlington. The reorganized second Norwood hockey showdown tonight line that was so instrumental in Saturday afternoon’s semifinal victory over Catholic Memorial remains intact. The schoolboy hockey game that has equaled the buildup of the Ali-Frazier heavyweight fight as the high school game of the o relies on year will probably end up as a battle of the lines. Arlington, the once-beaten Suburban League champions, skates three well-drilled lines.

Norwood goes generally with two lines. Its first line ‘ did the bulk of the scoring during the Bay State League season, but in the Revamraec tournament the trio of Jack Clifford, Ed King and Bob Rosata has contributed on, an equal basis. It’s a strong second line. The second line shift came about Saturday afternoon at Boston Garden between the second and third periods against Memorial.

Coach Don Wheeler started the game with Clifford on left wing, King at center and Rosata on right wing. Looking for a bit more backchecking at center ice, he reshuffled his line. Clifford moved over to right wing, Rosata was the center and King was at left wing.

“I liked the way that line worked together in that third period. In fact, I have been very pleased with the way they have played during the entire tournament,” Wheeler said. “They could be the key. Rosata is playing excellent hockey now. He played well at the start of the season, broke some ribs against Walpole, and never really regained his top form until very late in the season. Now it’s a new sea-. son in the tournament and he’s playing well. “Clifford has been, a consistent scorer for us in the tournament He has scored as much in this tournament as he did during the entire season.

He has been excellent,” said Wheeler. “King is a kid who got a chance to play midway through the season and has come on strong. I moved Rosata to center because he handles the puck better. And it helped in another way because King is very strong in the corners. It could be a big factor against Arlington.” Almost anything could be a key factor as these two high school powers battle for the championship. They are so evenly matched the little things could be the only difference.”

By Kevin Walsh Globe Staff