Wilkinson Powers Ridgefield Hockey Over Norwalk-McMahon

Sean Wilkinson had the game of his life Monday night for the Ridgefield boys hockey team.

The junior forward erupted for three goals and four assists as the Tigers routed Norwalk-McMahon 9-0 at the Winter Garden Arena.

In addition, senior Mike Rinaldi scored his first career goal, recorded an assist and picked up a four-minute unsportsmanlike conduct penalty -- all in the third period.

It was as close as a high school player can come to a "Gordie Howe hat trick", which is known as  a goal, an assist and a fight in the same game. Fighting is not allowed on the high school level.

“He deserves it,” Ridgefield coach Shaun Gallagher said. "Rinaldi is such a hard worker, a great motivator for the team and a great kid. I am glad he got his first one.”

Wilkinson started his night by setting up Tim Kelly for the first goal of the game 7:09 into the opening period.

Wilkinson then proceeded to score three straight goals, starting at the 10-minute mark of the first period on a nifty move. He came out of the corner after receiving a pass from Matt Flanagan, faked a shot to the far side,which got the goalie off his post, and stuffed the puck in the short side. 

The period ended 2-0 with Ridgefield outshooting Norwalk 14-1.

Wilkinson made it 3-0 by scoring a shorthanded goal on a nice pass from Jack Christensen at 10:31 of the second. Matt Hrvatin also assisted on the goal. 

Wilkinson completed his hat trick at the 13:21 mark after receiving a pass from Vinnie Rella, who forwarded a puck up from Hrvatin. Wilkinson faked a low shot,  freezing the goaltender, and roofed it short side just under the crossbar.

Ridgefield outshot Norwalk 13-3 in the second period while building the 4-0 lead.

In the third period,  Kelly scored his second goal of the game after taking a pass around the back of the net from Wilkinson. He then fired at the legs of unsuspecting goaltender Dan Diaz, which deflected the puck into the net.    Hvartin earned his third assist of the game on the goal.

At the five-minute mark of the third period, Rinaldi got into it with Norwalk’s Nick Leblanc, receiving a double minor for unsportsmanlike, while Leblanc was assessed two minutes for interference.

With both players in the box, Rella tipped in the Tigers' sixth goal on a shot from the point by Ian Ball. Christensen also assisted on the goal at the 5:26 mark.

A minute later, Christensen made it 7-0 on nice passes from Wilkinson and Aidan Scott.

Norwalk then switched to freshman goaltender Anthony Chiaramonte, giving Diaz a well-deserved break. 

Callan McCormick put away a rebound at 11:25 after Rinaldi tipped Henry Gough's shot. Rinaldi then tallied with 1:23 remaining to complete the scoring.

Scott retrieved the puck for Rinaldi, a Ridgefield tradition for a player scoring his first goal. The Tigers outshot Norwalk 19-3 in the final period.

“Scoring the goal felt like a monkey off my back," Rinaldi said. "Sean Wilkinson is great. He has tried to set me up five or six times over the last couple of games, and I finally put one away."