RADIO: The Local Sports Lunchbox, Recapping Winter Sports

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

On this week's episode of "The Local Sports Lunchbox" we recap all the state championship action from last weekend.

WPKZ's Daniel Beaulac joins me to recap Nashoba's boys' basketball state championship game, and Shrewsbury hockey's Matty Ward and Pat Shaughnessy call in to talk about their thrilling undefeated championship season.

Plus, I recap Maynard's Division 4 boys' basketball championship. For all that, and more, continue below.

Cam Powell Stands Tall as Grafton/BVT Tops Oakmont in D3A Central

By William Aubin

FITCHBURG, Mass. - Grafton/Blackstone Valley Tech will compete for state championship against South Hadley on Thursday night, thanks to sophomore goaltender Cam Powell turning aside 25 shots, as Grafton staved off the Oakmont, 5-2, to win the Central Mass Division 3A Championship Saturday at the Wallace Civic Center in Fitchburg.

Grafton/ Blackstone Valley (16-6-1) was aided by two 2 goal performances from both sophomore forward Jake Baker and senior assistant captain Cam Thomas in the victory. Oakmont sophomore forward Ryan Peralta was the only Spartans player to solve Powell, scoring twice in his team’s loss.

RADIO: The Local Sports Lunchbox, Previewing the CMass Hoops/Hockey Sectional Finals

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

On this week's episode of the "Local Sports Lunchbox" on WPKZ, we break down each Central Mass sectional final in both boys' basketball and hockey. Chris Kyne of the Telegram & Gazette calls in to break down all the CMass hockey action, and his T&G colleague Tom Flanagan gives his thoughts on CMass hoops.

Listen in for all that, and more, below.

Shrewsbury Staves Off Marlboro's Upset Bid in Double OT

By Nick Beaudoin (@beaudoin91_)

FITCHBURG, Mass. – The first period of tonight’s Division 3 Central semifinal did not go as planned for the Shrewsbury Colonials.

But, despite a Herculean effort from Marlboro goalie Owen O'Brien, Shrewsbury came out on top, 2-1 in double overtime, thanks to a game-winner by Anthony Quinlivan.

The top-seeded Colonials seemed to have momentum through the first 8 minutes of the game, as Marlboro had not produced a shot on goal until the 7:30 mark of the first period. Marlboro came into the game with defense on their minds, and it showed. The Panthers continued to dump and chase, forcing the Colonials into mistakes, then capitalizing on them.

Your MIAA D3 Central Hockey Primer

By Nick Beaudoin (@beaudoin91_)

Ed. Note- SuiteSports is thrilled to welcome our newest correspondent, St. John's (Shrewsbury) alum and current Quinnipiac journalism student Nick Beaudoin. Nick will be manning our Division 3 Central hockey coverage, and was kind enough to provide us with this preview. Welcome aboard Nick!

As the 2017 MIAA hockey playoffs are set to begin, here is your Division 3 Central Mass boys’ preview.

Let’s start with the favorites, the undefeated Shrewsbury Colonials. Entering the playoffs with a tie to Wachusett as their only non-win this season, the Colonials are poised to make a run back to the district final. After a disappointing loss last season to Algonquin in a shootout, head coach Steve Turnblom and his team know what it takes to get back and pull through with a win this time around.

With three of the top five scorers in Central Massachusetts in Matt Ward, and the Quinlivan brothers, Anthony and Liam, offensive firepower will not be lacking for Shrewsbury. If rookie goaltender Pat Shaughnessy can stay hot, there is no team getting in the way of this Colonial squad.

Shrewsbury Closes Dominant Regular Season With Emphatic Win Over Algonquin

By Billy Aubin

WESTBORO, Mass. - Call it a statement game. Fresh off of a less than inspired effort against Wachusett, which resulted in Shrewsbury tying the Mountaineers 3-3 for its first non-win of the season, the Colonials blew out the Algonquin Tomahawks 7-0 on Friday afternoon, their regular season ending in an impressive 19-0-1 record.

The Shrewsbury Colonials displayed dominance, leaving no question as to who the premiere high school team in Central Massachusetts is this season.

In the process, Coach Steve Turnblom notched his 100th career win as Shrewsbury’s bench-boss. Turnblom credits his program’s success to the high standard of character he expects in his team.

The Local Sports Lunchbox: Shrewsbury Hockey, Nashoba Wrestling and More

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

We had a fantastic Local Sports Lunchbox earlier today on WPKZ, and if you missed it live, you'll definitely want to check it out now. We were joined by Shrewsbury hockey stars Matty Ward and Liam Quinlivan, who will look to help Shrewsbury hockey avoid the "Joe Parello jinx" (the last two weeks our guests came into the show undefeated, then suffered multiple losses immediately thereafter) against rival Algonquin Saturday.

We also had SuiteSports reporter Jason Siegel on the show to talk Central Mass hoops, and gave out our weekly awards, which included Nashoba wrestler Lucas Cordio, who may be the best athlete in Central Mass you've never heard of.

All that, and more, in this week's episode below.