Milton, MA – MassNZ made the trip south to visit Ulin Rink in Milton for a D2 showdown that would have big Power Rankings implications. The 5th-ranked Milton Wildcats were taking on the 11th-ranked Walpole Timberwolves and with only a couple weeks remaining in the regular season, every result is critical. This was our first time seeing The U and it was one of the more venerable old-school barns we’ve seen on the recruiting trail. After some quick sightseeing, we were on to the game at hand.
In the first period, it did not take long for this game to take shape. An outlet pass was stolen by senior Shane O’Donnell at the faceoff dot and he buried a wrist shot to make it 1-0 Walpole just 12 seconds in. The goal was a stunner for Milton, but like most good teams they were able to answer right back just over a minute later. Junior Logan Jackson found sophomore Patrick Lovett open in the slot and he stepped into a wrister to tie the game at 1-1. The game then became a track meet as both teams traded chances up and down the ice. It was a cavalcade of penalties that slowed the pace down as the period advanced and special teams became more of a factor. On the power play, Milton would take their first lead of the game at the 5:15 mark as senior Daniel Sullivan stayed strong at the netfront, burying through the five hole to make it 2-1 Milton. The remainder of the period would be marred by further penalties and no additional goals. The score was 2-1 after one.
In the second period, it was a continuation of the first period as both teams were trading chances for all 15 minutes. There wasn’t a great deal of sustained attacking zone time for either team and interestingly, not many penalties either. As a result, there was a smooth game flow and both teams were playing at a high pace. Walpole was throwing their weight around and Milton was content to use their quickness to pounce on turnovers and use odd man rushes to create their scoring chances. Both goalies were stingy in this frame but just before the end of the period, Milton would pad its lead. With 49 seconds to go senior Peter Buckley found fellow senior Nathan Kenney up the right wing and he barreled in to fire a quick shot that surprised the goalie and tickle the twine: 3-1 Wildcats. That would be our score after 30 minutes of play.
In the third period, Walpole made it’s strongest push of the night. They were more aggressive and worked the puck deep more effectively. They were strong on their sticks, but they were also moving the puck more quickly than the first two periods. They put more quality looks on net, but Milton was able to block several of them with good positioning in the house. The opening five minutes were all Timberwolves but slowly the Wildcats began to tilt the ice back in their favor. It was a gradual process but eventually they began to use their speed to win races to loose pucks and create quality attacking zone time pinning Walpole in their own end. Neither team was able to generate the scoring opportunities they wanted and ultimately, this game would end as a 3-1 victory for Milton.
Three Stars:
- F Nathan Kenney, Milton
- D Peter Buckley, Milton
- F Michael Connors, Walpole