By Christopher Tremblay, Staff Sports Writer

Tri-County Regional Vocational boys’ hockey has advanced into the Division 4 State Tournament for the past three seasons under head coach Stephen Smith, and the Cougars are looking to make it four this winter.

Largely senior based with talent, the team found themselves in trouble earlier in the season when they were hit with an illness bug and compounded on that some injuries. Near the end of the season, they will have to take on a couple of Division 3 teams in Southeastern Voke and Bishop Stang; thankfully, the team has  gotten some key players back just in time.

The Cougars will have its three captains back on the ice in time to make a hopeful run through the State Tournament.

“They have been leaders on and off the ice while doing an amazing job with our underclassmen,” Smith said. “Its all about developing the underclassmen  - they take care of them in school as well as encouraging them on the ice.”

The Cougar senior captains are Nolan Feeley, defenseman on the first line who has not missed a game all season; Kyle Daly, the teams first line center, who is probably the most talented athlete on the ice. He also plays for the Walpole Express Junior. Rounding out the captains is Colby Scarsciotti, who, unfortunately, pulled a quad muscle earlier in the season; being a serious leg injury, the senior was forced to sit out nine games but has since returned  to his right-wing position in the lineup.

In addition to the trio of captains, the Cougars also have two alternate captains in forward CJ Cobb and defenseman Matt McNeil. Cobb, who was a third-line player last winter, giving everything he had every time that he took to the ice. With all his hard work, he was elevated to the second line this year.

“He has a great attitude, and when he is on the ice, we tell the other players to watch what he does,” the Cougar Coach said. “He currently is the team’s leading scorer, with 8 goals and 5 assists.” 

Sitting just behind Cobb and his 13 total points are both Daly and Scarsciotti, each with 12 points (9 goals and 3 assists). Junior Matt Laughman provides the playmaking skills to maintain the Tri-County pressure through the offensive zone. 

The last line of defense is goalie Declan Buckler, who currently has an .800 goals against average with two shutouts to his credit.

“He is a 6’3” athletic goaltender that has played well and is one of the reasons why we are where we are,” the Cougar Coach said. 

Being that the top 32 teams will advance into the Division 4 Tournament, Tri County finds themselves sitting in the 34th position at the time of this writing and hoping to make the jump in. Coach Smith is hoping that the team’s strength of schedule will help the Cougars win or lose, but he’s hoping that they win more than they lose.

“We’ve struggled with health this year, but I believe that we have the depth and a solid team,” Smith said. “The senior leadership, who has been with me the last two years, will help us with our focus and preparation for the tournament.”