Mansfield Hockey Stings the Attleboro Bombardiers

The unbeaten Mansfield High Hornets' ice hockey team overcame nine penalties to pick up a 7-3 victory over the Attleboro High Bombardiers in a Hockomock League match-up at Aleixo Arena in Taunton.

The Bombardiers had a 1-0 lead after the first period, but the Hornets picked things up in the second, scoring four goals to earn the win.

Senior captain Steve Folan had two goals and and two assists for the Hornets, but head coach Rick Anastos was concerned that his team has been behind in the first period in all three of their victories to start the season.

"We were a little lethargic on our back check and I think we did a much better job in the second and well into the third period," said the Mansfield head coach.

The Bombardiers took advantage of the power play for two of their goals, both from sophomore defenseman Travis Tanguay slap shots.

Attleboro head coach Mike Cripps was pleased with the effort of Tanguay on both ends of the ice, "Definitely one of our best defenseman. He's solid at both ends, can skate the puck well, in top condition. We're only skating four deep at defense so he's getting plenty of ice time."

Attleboro are still without junior forward Ryan Holske, who is out with a wrist injury and the coaches hope to have him back soon, and sophomore Cam Richard suffered a concussion last time out in the win over Taunton, which left the team trying to compete with little more than two lines.

Cripps believes that was critical. "Depth was definitely a factor. They can roll three or four lines and we're putting out two, sometimes three."

In addition to Folan's outstanding night the Hornets also got two goals and an assist from fellow captain Matt Blackman. Ollie Gemba had the Bombardiers' third goal.

The Hornets (3-0) will play back to back games on the Dec. 26-27, while Attleboro (1-1-1) will not play again until Jan. 4.