Mite Bobcats: The Mite Bobcats lost a close game, 6-4, to the SC Panthers. The Panthers came out flying, scoring the first four goals of the game in the first two periods, but the Bobcats roared back in the third to score four goals. The Panthers scored on a power play to get ahead and kept the lead despite numerous chances by the Bobcats. Derek Gauvin, Juni Suarez, Thomas Leger and Christian Fiore had the goals for the Bobcats. Charlie Carroll played solid in net with several break away saves.
Squirt Grizzlies: The Gateway Squirt Grizzlies traveled to Pembroke Sunday for their final regular season game in the Yankee conference. The Grizzlies beat the Hawks of WHK, 6-4, to finish in first place. Chris Gauvin led the offense with four goals and two assists. Bailey Tieu and Matt Quinlan had the other goals. Austin Fleming had two assists, and Ben Martins and Jack Satterley each had one assist. Ryker King had 20 saves in net for the win.
Pee Wee Warriors: The Gateway Warriors finished their regular season with a 6-0 shutout over the Lower Cape Coyotes. The defensive efforts of Jackson St. Don, Noah DeMoranville, and Jameson Woodward allowed merely a handful of shots, which were easily handled by goalies Steven Strachan and Zachary Pateakos, who combined for the Warriors’ 18th win. Outstanding back-checking from centermen Robert Ramsay and Jake Demoranville further supported the understaffed defense. Offensively, each forward contributed to the Warrior victory. Ben Demoranville had two goals, while brother, Jake, notched a pair of assists. Ramsay, RJ Vickery, Zachary Barris, and Danny Flynn each found the back of the Coyote net. Barris also had two assists, finishing the season as the team’s leading playmaker, while line-mates Ramsay and Flynn also added helpers. The Warriors enter this month’s Yankee Conference top-tier playoffs as the No. 2 seed, and will likely face a formidable foe in either the Cyclones or North Devils; each split their regular season match ups against the Gateway team with a win and a loss.
Middle School 1 Vikings: The Vikings won a hard-fought game Friday night against Taunton. The Tigers found the net first, scoring on Vikings’ goalie Steven Strachan midway through the first period. The Vikings soon tied it up, with a goal by Matt Maloney, assisted by Zack Lovendale. Vyper LaTulippe scored to start the second, with assists by Lovendale and Quirino DoCanto. The Tigers scored again, this time on relief goalie Teaghin Andre. Cameron DeMarco scored to lead off the third period, with the help of DoCanto and Seth Tomasik. Play was very aggressive between the two teams, and with the referees barely making any calls, the game quickly got out of hand. Taunton had a giant of a player that bulldozed his away across the ice, but the Vikings’ players were undaunted. DoCanto and Kaitlin Kelley especially pestered him, keeping close at his heels despite getting tossed around the ice. Their efforts, combined with the always excellent Vikings’ defense, kept the net safe for the rest of the third period, earning the Vikings a 3-2 win. The Vikings’ goalies had identical stats, making 13 saves apiece.
Sunday’s game was not as successful against Canton. The referees had better control of this game, but it was still chippy, with penalties called on both teams. Defense had a heck of a game, doing their part to protect the net. Jackson St. Don continued to display the fire he’s had of late, making several key plays to keep the puck out of the net. Makayla Wood, playing injured, also made a huge defensive contribution on the ice. Goalie Teaghin Andre had a shutout for his half, making 14 saves. Relief goalie Steven Strachan also did a great job, protecting the net with 15 saves, though two goals slipped by. Despite several attempts on net, Vikings’ offense could not make the rebounds work for them, and the game ended in a 2-0 loss.