Boys' Lax Player Chris Litchfield Scores Game Winner in OT

Wakefield Memorial High School’s Kevin Doherty scored the tying goal with just nine seconds remaining at on Wednesday, but it was Burlington’s Chris Litchfield who netted the game-winning score for the Red Devils in sudden death overtime on a running shot, putting Wakefield away 10-9.

“We knew that we could count on one of our best players,” said first-year BHS coach Rob Parkin. “I mean we designed the play up just so (Litchfield) was going to go all the way and basically win the game for us.

“He’s pretty good,” continued Parkin. “He’s one of the best players on the team.”

The Red Devils improve to 7-5, while Wakefield falls to 5-7 on the season.

Burlington led the entire game, having a 3-goal lead three separate times.

The first at the start of the game, with the third goal being on a Wakefield turnover at Burlington’s own net. The second going into halftime; improving from 4-2 at the end of the first to 6-3. And the third 3-goal lead was in the middle of the fourth quarter. The Red Devils were winning 9-6.

“I think the hardest part about the game is we were winning the game 9-6 and didn’t put it away right away,” Parkin said. “I think the fact that we let (Wakefield) crawl back into it; our defense had some mistakes that they made on slides.

“Certainly we didn’t want to get that close in a nail biter.”

The Warriors made it a two-goal game, 9-7, just four minutes after Burlington’s ninth goal, after a pass was received across the field for Wakefield’s score.

“We expected it to be a hard fought game,” Parkin said. “It was an emotional game for the kids because they definitely – one of (Wakefield’s) coach’s used to be one of the coach’s over here (at Burlington), so the kids wanted to win a big one for the team and win one for myself I think.”

Doherty then brought Wakefield just one-goal behind, 9-8, with 24 seconds left after numerous misses by the team. Wakefield then got the faceoff with 16 seconds remaining and took a timeout.

At nine seconds, Doherty slammed the ball in past Burlington goalie Chris Ikier and it was 9-all.

“Once they came in the huddle we said, ‘Once we get possession and we win the faceoff we’re going to call a timeout and we’re going to ride it on Litch’s shoulders and make sure that Litch can bury the goal away,’” said Parkin. “We know that Litch should take one or two players at a time, he’s that elusive, he’s got a great first step and he knows how to bury the ball back in the net with an explosive shot.”

And bury the ball in the back of the net Litchfield did against Wakefield goalie Sam Bridges, ending Wakefield’s enthusiasm and intensifying Burlington’s and its fans.

“The kids really jelled together emotionally. They certainly have the talent to take it deep in the playoffs if they want to. We’re only two wins away from getting in the playoffs, and I think at this level the team is getting better and better and we know that we’re building a program here.

“They all have great confidence in each other, and I think it just, it’s building it each game. Every game we’re getting stronger and stronger.”

For Burlington, Mike Grinell had a hat trick, R.J. Caruso netted two goals and James Haded made one.

For Wakefield, Michael Dellanno scored a hat trick and made one assist, Corey Davis scored twice and Alec Brown and Ryan Doherty each made one goal and two assists.

Download the movie