Peewee 3

Wakefield Pee Wee A’s Win District 10 Championship

    The Wakefield Pee Wee A’s magical 2013 journey will include a weekend at the Massachusetts Pee Wee Championships.  The Warriors punched their ticket with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Melrose to win the District 10 crown.   Wakefield used their winning formula of strong defense, timely offense and tremendous goaltending to survive a nerve-wracking afternoon of playoff hockey.

    Taking the ice in front of a boisterous Wakefield crowd, the Warriors came out flying.  On just the 2^nd shift, the fore checking of Nick Ippolito, Brian Reilly and Jack Callahan paid huge dividends.  The trio forced a Melrose turnover, and Ippolito found the back of the Melrose net for a 1-0 Wakefield lead.

     Midway through the first period, Wakefield struck again.  Johnny Knowles hit Scott Elwell with a perfect breakout pass.  Elwell found Chris Coombs streaking up the right wing, and Coombs finished the play with a wicked wrist shot to the top corner.  The 2-0 lead had the Wakefield fans delirious with joy and thinking about a blowout victory.

     At that point Melrose dug in, and the game was on. The Red Raiders went on the attack, but were continually stymied by Wakefield’s strong defense of Joey Alden, Peter Jenkins, Owen Lucey, Ian Macdonald and Matt “Slapshot” Sartori.  Any shots that Melrose did get on net were ably handled by goaltender Michael Rossino.

     The game tightened up late in the 3^rd period, when Melrose scored off a scramble in front.  It was the 1^st and only goal Rossino allowed in the entire district tournament. 

      Melrose pulled their goalie with a minute to play and made an all-out assault on the Wakefield net.  Rossino made several spectacular saves in the final seconds to hold off the determined Red Raiders.  When the final horn sounded, the Warriors stormed the ice for a wild celebration. 

  The afternoon got better when the players returned to the locker room.  In honor of the big win, Mrs. Callahan sent not only her famous brownies, but some phenomenal cookies as well.  It was a feast fit for District Champions!

    Fortunately for the Pee Wee A’s large contingent of fans, the State Championships will be held in nearby Waltham.  The Tournament will be the weekend of March 8-10.  Exact times will be announced the week of the championships.  Stay tuned!