Robbie Anderson is one of many reasons why the Somerville High boys' hockey team is on the verge of clinching their first tournament berth in four years. - Courtesy photo

By Mike Rubin

After surviving three games in four days, the Somerville High boys hockey team is on the verge of clinching their first tournament appearance in four years.

Despite a 9-5 loss to Matignon on Saturday night, the Highlanders won a pair of key victories in the Greater Boston League last week. On Friday, the Highlanders coasted to a 7-3 win over Cambridge and survived a 5-4 shootout win over Everett last Wednesday. Currently, the Highlanders stand at 7-4-1 overall, but are 3-1 in the GBL. Should the Highlanders defeat league rival Medford in Wednesday night’s showdown at Veteran’s Memorial Rink, they’ll capture a share of the league title as well as an automatic berth in the Division 1 state tournament.

“It’s exciting, and this is something that you always want to play for,” said second year coach Chuck Allen. “Our goals before the season started are to win the league and to qualify for the tournament, and if we beat Medford on Wednesday night, then we’ll be able to achieve two of our pre-season goals. We’re a young team and out of the 23 kids we have; only three are seniors, and this would be a great accomplishment if we were able to achieve this.”

In last Saturday’s loss to Matignon, the Highlanders faced a quick 2-0 deficit before battling back to close within 3-2 at the end of the first period. In the second period, the Highlanders remained well within striking distance in trimming the gap within 5-4 before the Warriors added three goals in the final three minutes to pull away with the victory.

Offensively, Tyler Anderson led the way for the Highlanders in the losing effort, recording a hat trick while Dave Cooper and John Wallace added a goal apiece.

“It was one of those games where it was back and forth throughout the whole night,” said Allen. “We used a couple of goaltenders, and they (Matignon) were able to capitalize on some of their scoring chances. We committed some penalties, and they took advantage. I was happy with the way we were able to come back, and the kids never gave up.”

In Friday night’s 7-3 win over Cambridge, the Highlanders roared out to a 5-0 lead through the end of the first period before easing to the victory.

In the win, Robbie Anderson and Cooper led a balanced attack, recording two goals apiece while Dan Camara, Charlie O’Leary and Wallace each chipped in with a goal each.

“It was the type of game where everyone got some playing time, and we were able to get a lot of kids involved,” said Allen. “It was a nice win, especially after we played the night before. The kids were ready to go, and they came out with a strong first period.”

In last Wednesday night’s 5-4 win over Everett, the Highlanders trailed 2-1 after the first period before quickly facing a 4-2 deficit through the end of the second.

Battling back, the Highlanders notched two quick goals in the third before scoring the game winner with 51 seconds remaining in the contest. Leading the way was Wallace, who registered two goals while Robbie Anderson, O’Leary and Camara each recorded a goal apiece.

“It was a great win, and we’re getting a lot of offensive production from the kids,” said Allen. “We’re just hoping we can keep it going.”