WEST SPRINGFIELD – When two teams are neck and neck throughout an entire game, mistakes are often costly. One slip up and it could cost you the game. 

When the Belchertown hockey team entered the final period of Saturday’s Western Massachusetts Class B championship game, the Orioles held a 3-2 lead.

But after two key penalties whistled against Belchertown, the momentum swung the other way. Ludlow’s Sean Kefalas scored two goals down the stretch, giving the Lions a 4-3 win at Olympia Ice Center. It was Ludlow’s first sectional title since 1996.

The game was physical throughout, as both teams traded first quarter penalties. Ryan Fernandes kicked the scoring off with the first goal of the game, giving the Orioles a 1-0 lead.

Then Sam Cocchi returned the favor, knocking one past Belchertown goalie Donald Rogers, tying the game up.

Then, in the blink of an eye, Cocchi found the net again, this time giving the Lions a 2-1 lead. 

As tensions began to rise, Belchertown head coach Derek Chandonnet didn't need to say anything extra to keep his team focused. 

“The game kind of controls itself,” Chandonnet said. “They've been working all year to get to this point. They know what's a stake.” 

Tied 2-2 late in the second period, Belchertown’s Francis Henderson stormed out of the penalty box as the puck was heading toward the Ludlow goal. He found the puck and slapped one at Ludlow goaltender Luke Sunderland. Although the shot was off the mark, Henderson picked up the puck off the ricochet and passed it to James Delaney for his second goal of the game, giving the Orioles a 3-2 lead.

That held until the third period. 

The first half of the final stanza went smoothly, as the Orioles and Lions continued to trade shots on goal. Up to this point, Belchertown had successfully killed off three Ludlow power plays. Their strong defense and the play of Rogers between the pipes kept the club in front.

With just over nine minutes left, Brady Moreau landed himself in the penalty box along with Ludlow’s Thomas Deroin. It became a 4-on-4, creating more open ice for both teams in the process. The Lions were able to take advantage, as AJ Stupak found Kefalas for the goal, tying it up 3-3.

“Kefalas is a really dynamic player for them,” Derek Chandonnet said. “AJ Stupak, too, he's really risen up the past few games.” 

With under three minutes to go, Delaney picked up a penalty. This time, it gave the Lions a power play, and Kefalas found himself with the puck after teammate Christopher Wood passed it from a scrum of Belchertown defenders. He took an uncontested slap shot, slipping it past Rogers to give the Lions the 4-3 lead. 

“What are you gonna do, you know?,” Chandonnet said. “Our guys are playing hard.” 

Belchertown will now look toward the preliminary round of the MIAA Division 4 state tournament. The 30th-seeded Orioles will face No. 34 Nashoba Valley Tech on Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Fitzpatrick Arena in Holyoke. 

“We're just gonna have to get motivated,” Chandonnet said. “We’re just going to have to play good, sound hockey to compete with these better teams.” 

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