Stoneham, MA – Game number two for us at Stoneham Arena was another Elite 8 matchup between the Wilmington Wildcats and the Winthrop Vikings. Winthrop entered the game with a 12-6-2 record, scoring 53 goals for and allowing 40 against. Wilmington came in at 11-8-1 with 58 goals for and 61 against. The Wildcats were looking to reach the Final Four for the first time in well over a decade, while Winthrop was aiming to continue their historic run and become back-to-back Division 4 State Champions.
The first period started with both teams trading shots and rushes up the ice. As the period went on, Wilmington began to gain better possession time, and their defense did a nice job holding the blue line. Winthrop had trouble getting the puck out of their zone due to Wilmington’s defense consistently stepping up, but the few times they did break out, they generated a couple of odd-man rushes that ultimately did not lead to any real scoring chances. Winthrop’s neutral zone play also became less effective as they settled for shots from the red line instead of chipping pucks into the corners, which created little pressure on Wilmington’s defense and limited any forechecking opportunities. Wilmington’s uncontested breakouts allowed them to move up ice and through the neutral zone with ease, but generating quality shots and rebounds proved difficult, even though the Wildcats were keeping their shots low. The first period ended scoreless at 0-0, with Wilmington carrying the momentum heading into the second period.
The second period started with more of the same from the first, as Wilmington controlled the pace early, but Winthrop began to pull things together. The Vikings stopped putting shots on net from the red line, which led to a more effective forecheck and allowed them to gain some offensive zone time. However, early in the period, a Winthrop player took a tripping penalty, giving Wilmington the first power play of the game. It didn’t take long for senior Isaac Tavares to capitalize when he received a pass on his backhand in the slot with his back to the net, and while turning around he ripped a quick snapshot short side, beating the goalie and giving the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. Within two minutes of going down a goal, Winthrop earned a power play of their own, and the Vikings’ power-play unit wasted no time tying the game when junior captain Paul Ferrara put a low shot on net and the rebound kicked out perfectly to Nick Romano’s stick as he was just entering the offensive zone from the bench, burying it top corner short side. Winthrop grabbed the momentum at that point and generated several good scoring chances throughout the rest of the period, although Wilmington continued to play their game and control the pace with slightly less efficiency. The remainder of the period turned into an up-and-down stretch with limited offensive zone possession from either side, and the second period ended tied 1-1.
The third period started with both teams playing conservatively and minimizing defensive-zone mistakes. If the breakout wasn’t there, both teams were not shy about chipping the puck out or even icing it in Wilmington’s case. Winthrop’s forecheck was working at full force as they got behind the defense in the corners, and their neutral-zone passing led to multiple quality scoring chances on fast breaks. For the first time of the night, Winthrop seemed to be in control and was dictating the pace through the first half of the third period. Then, Vikings’ Charlie Ferrara intercepted an offensive-zone pass, pulled the defender who was in front of the net toward him before saucing a pass to Domenic Spinale. Spinale tried to catch the pass but missed it, yet somehow still managed to redirect the puck on net, and it slipped through the five-hole, giving Winthrop a 2-1 lead with under nine minutes left in regulation. The Wildcats went into desperation mode, which caused them to lock in and control possession in the final nine minutes, with a few brief hiccups. Within seconds of going down a goal, Wilmington generated a 2-on-1 rush, only to be stonewalled by James Lyman. They went on to create a handful of other scoring chances from all over the offensive zone, but they just couldn’t crack Lyman. Winthrop held on for the 2-1 win and will move on to the Final Four.
Three Stars:
- G James Lyman, Winthrop
- F Isaac Tavares, Wilmington
- F Nick Romano, Winthrop