Second Line Puts Norwood in Final-This Day In Norwood History-March 12, 1965

By JIM DUNLAP

For three hockey tourney games Norwood had looked like just another club. They won, but somehow they never really impressed. All season Walpole coach Charley Onto had been claiming his second line one of the finest in the state, but going into Thursday night’s semi-final round game with Arlington, the second line was still considered the Bay State League champion’s weakest link. Thursday night, however, everything changed. Suddenly Norwood skated like the wind and scored a 2-1 overtime triumph over Newton.

Walpole’s second line came through with a bang and proved to be the difference in a 1-0 victory over Arlington.

“This was definitely our best game, said an elated coach Don Wheeler following Norwood’s victory. “We hadn’t played well In this tournament until tonight, but tonight we really came through. “We knew we would need our best game if we were to beat Newton and we got it. Our defensive play was immense.”

This was our best game for fore-checking. Everybody played well.” Wheeler was especially happy with the play of forward Richie Hebner, who scored the first Norwood goal early in the third period, and defenseman Tim Twomey. “Richie fore-checked like crazy and Twomey did a marvelous job for us.”

Wheeler is looking forward to meeting Walpole again, the only team to beat his club this season (4-3, 2-0).

“Walpole is awfully tough, It’s going to be a great final, and it’s a great thing for the Bay State League to have two of its teams in the championship game.”

A short distance from the Norwood dressing room, coach Cinto of Walpole happily telling of the vindication his second line Bob Lee. Gordon Goodband and Brad Brooks had given him. “Everyone has been saying our second line was weak; well, it sure proved it wasn’t tonight. The way the kids on that line were hustling and skating, we forced Arlington to use Its first line against them.” Cinto had good reason to be proud of his second line. Not only did it haunt Arlington all night, but Goodband, who had been shutout in the three previous games, fired the winning goal in the opening period.

“We showed we had plenty of depth tonight. The kids played two overtimes Tuesday against Hudson and four more Wednesday before winning and these kids were tired. The only thing that kept them going was courage.” said Cinto. He also praised his 14-year-old goaltender, Kevin Woods, as the “finest freshman goalie I’ve ever seen. He Is already one of the best high school goalies around.

He’s as cool as they come.” Woods was a tremendous factor in Walpole’s victory. The youngster stopped 13 Arlington shots, many of his saves on the sensational side. And so Saturday, after 31 tourney games, it comes down to just two teams.

(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)