WINTHROP – In a matchup between two of the highest Division 4 boys hockey applications, Winthrop was capable of experience robust protection and well timed scoring to safe a 2-1 victory over Dover-Sherborn/Weston.
The matchup featured the 2 most up-to-date state champions, as Winthrop gained the title final 12 months whereas Dover-Sherborn/Weston gained in 2024. It was additionally the primary matchup between the applications because the 2024 postseason, the place the Raiders defeated the Vikings 2-1 in a shootout to advance to the championship.
“We misplaced to those guys two years in the past to go to the Backyard,” Vikings head coach Dale Dunbar mentioned. “It’s completely different groups, however nonetheless, we needed to return out and proper the ship.”
Dover-Sherborn/Weston has sampled the current Div. 4 champions this season, having already confronted 2022 champion Sandwich and 2023 champion Norwell within the Jim Gormley Match. Nonetheless, head coach Alex Marlow mentioned his staff had been trying ahead to the matchup towards the Vikings particularly.
“This was positively a sport we had circled,” Marlow mentioned. “We sought them out. I needed to return right here and play on this environment and see how we are able to dwell as much as it.”
The primary interval featured robust protection from each side, with the Vikings’ impartial zone entice notably irritating the speedy Raiders’ offense. This ultimately led to a Raiders turnover within the slot, which noticed Max Dassau hearth a shot on web and Braedon Lounsbury pounce on the rebound and bury it at the back of the online.
“We performed a extremely sensible three-zone sport,” Dunbar mentioned. “We don’t quit a lot and attempt to give the opposite staff much less actual property.”
This might be the one scoring for the opening interval, and the second interval glided by with none further scoring. This was regardless of some wonderful possibilities for the Raiders, which Vikings goaltender Jim Lyman (35 saves) dealt with with ease.
“I used to be simply staying calm and seeing the puck very well,” Lyman mentioned. “My protection helped me out so much by clearing the puck and getting the our bodies away from me.”
The Vikings added to their lead early within the third interval on the ability play when Joe Pumphret fed the puck to Domenic Spinale within the slot and the junior picked a nook and buried the puck.
“Actually simply was about being gritty within the corners and attending to a spot for my guys to get me the puck,” Spinale mentioned. “It’s a extremely good staff effort, we have been good on the ability play and received nice possibilities.”
A couple of minutes later, Max Patenaude broke the scoreless stretch for the Raiders by beating Lyman five-hole to chop the deficit to 2-1. The Raiders managed play within the late phases of the interval, successful the pictures on objective battle 36-23. Nonetheless, with robust play from Lyman and well timed clears from the protection, the Vikings held on to win.
This late defensive stand got here only one sport after the Vikings squandered a 2-1 lead within the last seconds to Lynnfield earlier than dropping to the Pioneers in extra time. Dunbar mentioned his staff’s means to lock it down on this video games reveals the development they’ve already made this season.
“We don’t often give these up,” Dunbar mentioned. “To come back again and be in that state of affairs and get by way of it reveals that it was a personality win for us. It was a tricky, hard-fought battle.”
With the win over a fellow Div. 4 contender wrapped up, Spinale mentioned the Vikings really feel like they’re making constructive strides as a bunch.
“The boys are having enjoyable,” Spinale mentioned. “It’s actually good camaraderie, and when you could have that in a locker room you may go far.”
