February 14, 2025
• The Rockets are riding a three game win streak with just one week left in regular season play. Needham girls hockey picked up a statement win over Walpole on Wednesday night, dominating the Timberwolves from start to finish in an 8-2 victory. The Rockets’ offense was relentless, with seven players finding the back of the net, but their defense was just as impressive. Needham controlled the neutral zone for most of the game and constantly disrupted Walpole’s passing, which stifled any offensive momentum for the Timberwolves. The Rockets got on the board early and often, scoring two goals in the first three minutes of the game. Ceci D’Amelio started the scoring at the 13:07 mark in the first period, collecting a loose rebound from Emmie Verville’s initial shot and putting it in the back of the net. Less than a minute later, the Timberwolves turned the puck over in the neutral zone, and Jill Peabody broke free, burying a backhander past Walpole goalie Nadia Michienzi to double the lead. Needham extended its lead with 4:55 remaining in the first period when Sarah Porras found the back of the net to make it 3-0. About two minutes later, Nora Kelly weaved through the Rockets’ defense and put a shot past Needham goaltender Caitlin McNeil to get Walpole on the board. But the Rockets wasted no time regaining their three goal lead; Katelyn Birnbaum set up in front of the net and redirected a pass from Verville into the goal. With that, Needham took a 4-1 lead into the first intermission. The Rockets put on an offensive clinic in the 2nd, adding four more goals to extend their lead. Five minutes into the period, Ceci D’Amelio skated up the right side, drawing three Walpole defenders before sending a perfect pass across the ice to her sister, Bella D’Amelio, who made it 5-1. Less than a minute later, Adrienne Giancola ripped a long shot past Michienzi for another tally. With 5:30 left, Peabody scored her second of the game, 13th of the season, roofing the puck top shelf to push the score to 7-1. Cassie Ling capped off the period, scoring the eighth goal for the Rockets with 2 minutes left. With Needham up 8-1, the officials let the clock run in the third period. Walpole added one more goal, but the Rockets’ defense remained strong, preventing any comeback attempts. While Needham had a few more shots on goal, they primarily focussed on controlling possession, playing keep-away to close the game. Needham, ranked 26th in the MIAA Division 1 Power Rankings, improves to 9-6-1 on the season with just a week left in regular season play. Mike Levin has highlights from this game, plus the girls basketball win over Walpole, in the video box below:
• The Rockets are riding a three game win streak with just one week left in regular season play. Needham girls hockey picked up a statement win over Walpole on Wednesday night, dominating the Timberwolves from start to finish in an 8-2 victory. The Rockets’ offense was relentless, with seven players finding the back of the net, but their defense was just as impressive. Needham controlled the neutral zone for most of the game and constantly disrupted Walpole’s passing, which stifled any offensive momentum for the Timberwolves. The Rockets got on the board early and often, scoring two goals in the first three minutes of the game. Ceci D’Amelio started the scoring at the 13:07 mark in the first period, collecting a loose rebound from Emmie Verville’s initial shot and putting it in the back of the net. Less than a minute later, the Timberwolves turned the puck over in the neutral zone, and Jill Peabody broke free, burying a backhander past Walpole goalie Nadia Michienzi to double the lead. Needham extended its lead with 4:55 remaining in the first period when Sarah Porras found the back of the net to make it 3-0. About two minutes later, Nora Kelly weaved through the Rockets’ defense and put a shot past Needham goaltender Caitlin McNeil to get Walpole on the board. But the Rockets wasted no time regaining their three goal lead; Katelyn Birnbaum set up in front of the net and redirected a pass from Verville into the goal. With that, Needham took a 4-1 lead into the first intermission. The Rockets put on an offensive clinic in the 2nd, adding four more goals to extend their lead. Five minutes into the period, Ceci D’Amelio skated up the right side, drawing three Walpole defenders before sending a perfect pass across the ice to her sister, Bella D’Amelio, who made it 5-1. Less than a minute later, Adrienne Giancola ripped a long shot past Michienzi for another tally. With 5:30 left, Peabody scored her second of the game, 13th of the season, roofing the puck top shelf to push the score to 7-1. Cassie Ling capped off the period, scoring the eighth goal for the Rockets with 2 minutes left. With Needham up 8-1, the officials let the clock run in the third period. Walpole added one more goal, but the Rockets’ defense remained strong, preventing any comeback attempts. While Needham had a few more shots on goal, they primarily focussed on controlling possession, playing keep-away to close the game. Needham, ranked 26th in the MIAA Division 1 Power Rankings, improves to 9-6-1 on the season with just a week left in regular season play. Mike Levin has highlights from this game, plus the girls basketball win over Walpole, in the video box below:
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The highlights above ran as part of the Needham Channel News, a weekly newscast airing on The Needham Channel every Thursday at 7:30pm. The Needham Channel News can be found on the Community Channel: Comcast 9, Astound 15 and Verizon 29. Most Thursdays it also can be viewed on our HD Channel on Verizon 2129, Astound 613 and streaming on this site. |
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