Beavers have shown improvement throughout winter

By Chris Villani

Blackstone Valley Tech’s hockey team began the month of February with a winning record and a path to the postseason, something head coach Turk Chambliss was pleased to see with so many new players on the ice.

“We have 11 seniors, but only a few of them really played varsity minutes before this year, and we have a lot of underclassmen,” Chambliss said. “We have some talent, we were just inexperienced.”

BVT has showcased its work ethic all year, however, and put together several strong victories in the month of January. 

Although many players are new, Valley Tech does have a strong group of veterans leading the way. The Beavers’ offense has been driven by senior forwards Max Krauss and Maximus Pilkington, both of whom are captains. Ben Peshler, another four-year starter, has been a key contributor. In goal, captain Finn Lozeau is a mainstay, having started nearly every game of his high school career since his freshman year.

“They are the top four that have really stabilized everything,” Chambliss said. “They are good kids, good leaders, and they care about their teammates. They have been huge.”

The coach added, “I really couldn’t be happier with how they conduct themselves on and off the ice, and how they are leaders for the younger kids.”

Many of those newer players are already key cogs for the Beavers. Twins Jamus and Jake Greenstein, both sophomores, are contributing on the forward and defense lines, respectively.

“Both are high quality, tough kids,” Chambliss said. “They play football, they play basketball, they are just good athletes, and we are lucky to have them.”

Freshmen Jackson Giombetti and Devon Medeiros have also been playing big roles, Chambliss said.

BVT set several goals at the start of the season, including winning their division, getting to the tournament, and getting a home game in the tournament. 

Valley Tech sat on the cusp of the top-16 as February began, but Chambliss said they will have a chance to rise with some rivalry games to close out the regular season.

“If we keep playing the way we are capable of playing,” he said, “we have a chance to meet all of those goals.”