Youth hockey falls just shy of titles, Vikings play Thursday
Squirt Grizzlies
The Gateway Squirt Grizzlies lost 2-1 in the Yankee Conference championship game on Sunday to Braintree. The Grizzlies outshot Braintree in the third period but just couldn't get anything past the Braintree goalie. The Grizzlies had previously beaten Braintree 3-2 in the playoffs and ended the season 2-2-1 against them on the year. Overall the Grizzlies had a 25-2-2 record in the Yankee Conference for the year.
Pee Wee Warriors
The Gateway Warriors lost 1-0 in their Yankee Conference Pee Wee championship game against the North Devils. In the end, a bouncing puck that somehow made its way past the Warrior goal line decided the game. Both Zachary Pateakos and Steven Strachan were superb in their ability to fend off the Devil’s legitimate scoring chances. The defensive pairings of Beth Davis/Jared Westgate and Jackson St. Don/Noah Demoranville allowed little open ice for Devil skaters.
Middle School Vikings
The Middle School Vikings faced Mansfield in the third game of the championship playoffs Friday night. The Vikings were first to find the net, with Kaitlin Kelley scoring early in the first period, assisted by Zack Lovendale. Mansfield tied it up with five minutes left in the second period, but the Vikings quickly regained the lead with a goal by Lovendale. Less than a minute later, Mansfield tied it up again. The Vikings gained the lead again with one minute left in the game as Vittorio Consoletti scored with an assist by Kelley, but it was short-lived as Mansfield tied it up again thirty seconds later. The game ended in a tie, 3-3.
Coach Howie Long said he was pleased with the Vikings' performance. Goalies Steven Strachan and Teaghin Andre combined for 28 saves. With two wins and a tie in the series, the Vikings will play in the Championship game on Thursday night, facing Mansfield once again.