Despite displaying some encouraging moments, boys’ hockey suffered a 5-0 loss away to Brookline Saturday, Feb. 4.

It was a tough game for the Tigers, especially given the absence of several key experienced players due to illness. According to head coach Dan Doucette, North still remained competitive throughout the game. 

“The game was certainly closer than the final score suggests,” he said. “While it was not the result we had hoped for on the whole, the boys competed and played hard. We did a number of positive things, blocked a number of shots, got out of our defensive zone better, and successfully killed their only power play.”

In the first period, the Tigers played an aggressive offensive. Juniors Aiden Umina and Hayden Willen, both captains, had several scoring chances. Defensively, North blocked several passes and shots from Brookline. However, with only a few minutes left, Brookline scored two quick goals, and North found themselves 2-0 down at the end of the period. 

North returned with a higher intensity in the second and third periods but could not convert their scoring opportunities. After some more offensive pressure from Brookline in the second period, the Tigers conceded twice again to make it 4-0 Brookline. 

North seemed to be gaining some momentum in the game’s closing stages, but Brookline scored against the run of play with 50 seconds left to put the game to bed. 

Despite the loss, Umina enjoyed the atmosphere during the game at the historic BU womens’ ice hockey arena. “Walter Brown is a super fun rink with a lot of history behind it,” he said. “Whenever you play there, it is super competitive, and everyone works a little harder to try and pull off a win.”

Despite the loss, Doucette is optimistic about his team. “I think we have improved greatly since the beginning of the season,” he said. “The boys are working hard, and we’re making sure we compete for entire games. Continuing to improve practice habits, increasing skills, and competition has helped us be able to play more balanced and competitive games, regardless of the score.”

The Tigers finished the season 1-17, and they will look for more improvement next winter.