Squirt Grizzlies: The Gateway Squirt Grizzlies traveled to Canton and beat Braintree1 with a score of 3-2 for their second playoff win in the Yankee Conference. The Grizzlies faced off against Braintree 1 who they had beaten once and tied once. After a scoreless first period, Braintree struck first to take the 1-0 lead into the third period. Braintree then extended their lead to 2-0 early in the third. With eight minutes left in the game, Chris Gauvin got the Grizzlies on the board to cut the lead to 2-1. He later tied it and scored his third with 1:35 seconds left to complete his hat trick and secure the Grizzlies victory. Ryker King was outstanding in goal for the Grizzlies who face Braintree 2 next week at Hobomock.
Pee Wee Predators: The Gateway Predators completed their 2013-14 season this weekend participating in the Lakers Tournament in Worcester. The Predators were playing up a division, but played well enough to win two of the three games they played and finished third in the tournament.
In the first game, the Predators played against the Lady Crusaders of Worcester and were able to defeat them, 6-0. It was a one-sided game for the most part, with the Predators showing a little class by only winning 6-0. Scoring goals on the day were Quirino doCanto with two, and Robert Maloney, Coleby Paling, Tyler and Zack Lovendale with a goal a piece. Alex DeMarco was solid in net, stopping all the shots that came his way.
In the second game, Saturday afternoon, the Predators faced off against a tough Echo team from Connecticut. The Predators held their own in the first and most of the second periods until some mistakes proved costly. The final score was 4-1, with Quirino doCanto scoring the lone goal, assisted by Tyler Lovendale. Alex DeMarco kept the game close with a number of amazing saves, including one blocker save that had everyone in the crowd cheering, the opposing team as well.
In the Bronze Medal Game, the Predators faced the Lady Crusaders again, but this time the Lady Crusaders brought a few of their older more experienced girls. The game was definitely a little more exciting than the first matchup. The game was evenly matched through two periods with the Predators holding on to a 1-0 lead going into the third period. The Predators finally got their game going in the third, finishing the game with a 5-0 victory and the Bronze Medal. Scoring goals on the day were Zack Lovendale, who notched his team leading 30th goal, while Tyler Lovendale and Quirino doCanto each added two apiece. Kaleb Riggle chipped in with two assists as well. Alex DeMarco had another shutout making multiple saves along the way.
The Gateway Predators finished their season with an overall record of 14-9-3. It was an up-and-down season, but the Predators made some great strides throughout.
Pee Wee Warriors: The Gateway Warriors turned a lackluster team effort into a 2-1 victory over the Southeast Cyclones in Game 2 of their preliminary playoffs. Centermen Robert Ramsay and Jake Demoranville were the goal scorers, as both players truly exemplified their team’s namesake, in all three zones, each and every shift. With just over two minutes remaining, Jackson St. Don (assist) was able to free Demoranville for the game-winner. Once again, Steven Strachan and Zachary Pateakos effectively shared the net-minding duties, allowing their team the opportunity to compete. The Warriors will now have two weeks to rest and prepare for Yankee Conference rival, the North Devils.