Westborough, MA — With Minnechaug coming to NorthStar on the final day of the regular season, Wachusett dressed 5 JV players to gain some valuable varsity experience. Luke Kirton, Vaughn Lane, Andrew Palumbo, Ryan Stand and Thomas Viens all contributed in the win. Junior captain Cody Penniman started the scoring today with an unassisted goal at 6:17. Freshman defenseman Drew Palumbo made it 2-0 at 8:21 scoring his first career goal on a shot from the point. Shea Whalen and Matt Bjorkman earned assists on the goal. Then at 9:51, sophomore defenseman Kevin O'Keefe also scored his first career goal on another shot from the blue line. Assists went to Cody Penniman and Travis Laidlaw. Minnechaug would score at 13:49 to make the score 3-1 at the first intermission. Wachusett would score 4 more goals in the second period to stretch the lead to 7 to 1. Junior forward Ryan Flaherty scored a power play goal at 4:24 banging home a lose puck in the crease. Matt Brousseau was credited with the assist. At 6:22, senior defenseman Tanner Watkins finished off a nice 2 on 1 with a wrister over the goalie's shoulder. Ryan Stand made a nice pass on the play and Jake Penniman also earned an assist. At 8:19, Matt Brousseau found the back of the net on a goal assisted by Caden Lane and Shea Whalen. Then Cody Penniman capped off the scoring at 10:20 on a feed from Ryan Flaherty. Minnechaug would score one goal in the 3rd to make the final score 7-2. Junior goalie Trevor Staiti made 17 saves in the win. The team finishes the regular season at 15 wins, 4 losses and 1 tie. That record qualifies Wachusett for a berth into the Division I State Tournament that kicks off next week. The MIAA will release the final rankings on Saturday, 2/22. Congrats boys!