WILMINGTON, MA — The Wilmington Wildcats U18 hockey team became the first hockey team in the history of of the town to win the state championship in the top division of the state. Wilmington knocked out Framingham in a 3-2 overtime thriller.
The heroics were capped off after a Timmy Kippenberger rush up the ice and shot on net, as Ryan Barrett managed to grab the rebound and score the winner. The goal was nothing short of miraculous, with Framingham skaters draped all over him and being pulled down to the ice, he managed to get off an accurate shot just past the fantastic netminder for Framingham.
The thrilling finals game came at the conclusion of a tough competitive weekend of hockey. It was a five game weekend of success. Wilmington went the through the entire tournament unbeaten. Wilmington won over Westwood 4-1, Parkway 4-1, Tri-County 3-0. The three wins advanced Wilmington to the playoff round, first Wilmington beat Stoneham 5-2 before moving on the finals against Framingham.
The weekend was filled with solid play and good teamwork. Wilmington played with three net-minders Ryan St. Jean, Steve Bowker and Rob Farrell. As the lack of goals scored against Wilmington would indicate, the goalies were fantastic in every game.. Bowker is a wall that can’t be knocked down, St Jean is a field general running the show from the net, and Farrell is the most agile and athletic goalie around.
Defensively, the Wildcat D-men were not only stingy in the goals against but productive in the offensive zone. Jared Aucoin, Mike Fiorenza and Conlin Duffy were locked down stalwarts. Timmy Kippenberger, AJ McKearney and Dylan Bresnahan were not not only great in their zone but chipped in multiple goals..
Offensively, the centers Joe Hill, Tom Worob and Ryan Barrett were stellar. Worob is the tone setter for the team with his physical and relentless style. Barrett is a gifted goal scorer and Joe Hill launches rockets off his stick..
The line-mates of Joey Mirabella and Bobby Lord were the top productive line. Wingers Nate DiMeco and Moe DuCharme had a great weekend with 4 goals between them. The next pairing of Chris Robarge and Chris Spinazola were the grinders as they were both tenacious in all three zones. The final pairing of Conner Benoit and Jared Venezia created opportunities with their tough physical play.
Bystanders Tom Robarge and Dean Nally contributed on the bench as assistant coaches as they prepared for their turkey day battle with Tewksbury.
Coach Pat Nally could not be more proud of his players commitment to success. A lot was asked of his senior leadership particularly varsity captain AJ McKearney and also Jared Aucoin, Bobby Lord and Tom Worob as they were asked to be the leaders of the team.
“I once coached boys and now I coach men,” added Coach Nally. “I am proud of the men they have become. I hope the graduating seniors of Aucoin, McKearney, Worob, Lord, Bresnahan, DuCharme, Mirabella, Bowker, DiMeco and Robarge have Wilmington Youth Hockey memories for a lifetime.”
(NOTE: The above press release is from Wilmington Youth Hockey.)
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