​West Springfield, MA (3.2021) The Springfield PICS are proud to announce that the 2001 born, Matthew Kowal, native of Monson, Massachusetts has committed to Worcester State University for the fall.
 
Kowal, a two-year veteran of the Springfield Pics has amassed 20 goals and 34 assists in 77 games in his career with the Pics. He previously played for Minnechaug Regional High in which he amassed 100 points in his high school career.
 
Pics General Manager Rob Bonneau, when asked about Kowal was quoted at saying “Matt comes to us from Minnechaug after 4 seasons of high school hockey where he had a great career.  Last season was his first year in the Premier Division and he made a tremendous jump from last season to this season due to hard work in summer.  He came into this season ready to make an impact from day one and did not disappoint.  He still has another year of junior hockey eligibility, but when you are ready to make the jump to the next level, you do, and he will be a perfect fit at Worcester State.  We look forward to watching Matt at Worcester the next 4 seasons.”
 
Kowal was quoted at saying “Words can’t describe how grateful I am to further my hockey career at the next level. Playing college hockey has been a goal of mine ever since I was little, and I am more than excited to have that chance. I cannot thank my parents enough for everything they have done for me and always believing in me. I would like to thank all my coaches and teammates that helped me become the player and person I am today. Finally, I would like to thank the Springfield Pics organization. Coach Bonneau and Coach Collins have pushed me to become a better player every day and made it possible for me to succeed my goal of playing college hockey and I cannot thank them enough. I am looking forward to the next four years at Worcester State.”
 
John Sarno, college placement coach was quoted at saying “Matt plays an intense game. He is a strong skater who finishes all his checks and has a good touch in front of the net. He will be an excellent recruit for Worcester State.

Bob Deraney, head coach for Worcester State, issued this statement. "We are very excited to add Matt Kowal and his family to the Worcester State University community but especially our hockey program. Matt is a terrific young man and as a hockey player possesses terrific skill, speed and ability. He's a smart and very versatile player that has just begun to scratch the surface of his potential which is very exciting. Playing for the Springfield Pics has prepared Matt very well for us next season and we look forward to helping Matt reach his full potential as a person, student and hockey player, in that order, over the next 4 years."

The Springfield Pics would like to congratulate Matt Kowal again, and wish him the best of luck.

 ---Rink report courtesy of Dennis Prior---

The Springfield Pics organization has captured their 2nd U16 title in dominating fashion, defeating the Northern Cyclones - Premier squad 6 - 1. The Pics U16 squad tallied a staggering tournament total 29 goals, while only allowing 7.

The Pics opened the floodgates on Sunday afternoon early when Matt Hanscom was left alone and capitalized on the opportunity presented to him and put it in the far side corner of the goal. Ryan Shaw was credited with the assist.

The Cyclones slipped one past the netminder of the Hanscom duo to even up the score at one a few minutes later.

Ryan Shaw was credited with his first when he deposited one that lit the lamp on fire as it blew past the Cyclones netminder. Brandon Shuman and Coleson Hanrahan were credited with the assists to make it 2 - 1.

Shaw was then able to make the Cyclones defensive crew pay as they mistimed a pass and left the puck open for Shaw to go coast to coast to deposit the insurance goal, making it 3 - 1.

The Pics and Cyclones both got a man in the box, and Matt Hanscom got his second of the day as he went coast to coast to make it 4 - 1. Chris Foster was credited with the assist.

Nick Disanti and Chris Foster both lit the lamp for added effect and to seal the deal, making the final score 6 - 1.

John Hanscom stopped 24 out of 25 shots for the championship win.

U15

The U15 squad battled hard in the round robin, but ultimately fell 8 - 2. Ryan Hughes and Hunter Stockseth were the goal scorers for the Pics.

U16

*REPORTS COURTSEY OF DENNIS PRIOR*

The U16 team after running over teams in the first three games winning, 7-2, 6-1 and 6-0. Ran into a determined opponent in the Skipjack hockey team in game four. The game was a back and forth affair with multiple chances on both sides. As the third period started with the score 2-2. You knew both teams would buckle down and push for the win to solidly their playoff spot. As the game ground to a close Johnnie Hanscom stood tall in net and the defense led by Coleson Hanrahan, and Matty Hanscom helped preserve the tie. An incredible check by Chris Sherwood separated the Skipjacks player and the puck from what could have been a sure breakaway. The game ended in the tie 2-2 and you felt that these two teams would see each other again. To finally answer the question about which team was better. As if the hockey Gods had planned it. The playoff seedings came out with the Skipjacks and our Pics playing in the semifinals for a chance to go to the finals. The other semifinal game was the South Shore Kings versus the Northern Cyclones playing in the other half of the bracket.

ELITE

The Pics struck first, scoring two in a row in the first, but it was the Bruins who hung tough and battled back winning 3 -2 in double overtime. Eli Boyle and Sean Ferus both scored for the Pics.

PREMIER

The Pics and the Bandits battled back and forth, but it was the Bandits that ultimately prevailed 4 - 3, ending the Premier's season Saturday night. Joe Bouchard, Oliver Cookson, and Julian Perino all scored for the Pics.

PREMIER

The Bruins struck first, and were able to keep a hold onto the lead even though the Pics were the dominate force, and defeated the Pics 3 - 1, taking the rubber match on Friday morning. ​Brock Baumann scored just under 3 minutes into the 3rd period. Matthew Tullo and Oliver Cookson were both credited with the assists.

ELITE

The Elite squad struggled against a powerful Bruins team, as they fell 5 - 0 Friday afternoon.

U16

Multiple Pics made the scoresheet as they continued their domination in the opening round robin round, as they defeated the Philadelphia Hockey Club - Elite 6 - 1 .  Ryan Shaw scored his first hat trick as a member of the Pics squad in the victory, and Ray Picard stopped 17 out of 18 shots in the win.

U15

The U15 squad fell to the Jersey Hitmen 9 - 0 on Friday afternoon.

Three Dog Night once sang that "One is the Loneliest Number",  but that is all that the Pics needed to skate away with the victory as they defeated the Bandits to take game one of a three game series.

Matthew Kowal was able to get the Pics first goal of the playoffs when he picked the pocket of a Bandits defender and was able to deposit it into the near empty net as Kausch was out of position after a bad save which left him on the other side of his crease. Kausch dove for the save but missed completely. Chase Reynolds and Julian Perino were both credited with assists on the play.

The Pics added two empty net goals to secure the win. Wyatt Friedlander stopped all 26 shots he faced. These two teams face each other tomorrow.