Hopedale’s boys hockey team staged a spirited effort but came up short Tuesday night, falling 5-2 to Nashoba after a one-sided third period swung the game. The contest was deadlocked 1-1 entering the final frame after Joshua Balzarini tied the game late in the second with under a minute remaining, but Nashoba’s offense erupted for four third-period goals to pull away.
Balzarini had a goal and created momentum with his second-period strike, while Ricky Nashawaty and other playmakers continued to generate chances. Still, Hopedale could not contain Nate Carter, who scored twice in the decisive third period, and the Wolves’ finishers capitalized on opportunities that the Blue Raiders could not fully weather.
This marks Hopedale’s second straight loss and three defeats in four outings, a stretch in which one disastrous period has often decided outcomes. Hopedale will look to reset on the road at Ludlow this Saturday at 7:40 p.m. The Lions are 4-4 and should present a different look, yet the Blue Raiders’ priority will be cleaner defensive rotations, sharper goalkeeping from Hunter Letendre, and more consistent discipline to avoid another late-period collapse.
