Dramatic Win Jolts Red Devils to State Final

After fellow Middlesex League team Wilmington clinched its return spot in the Division 2 state title game, Burlington High School decided it would do the same. Even if it did take a little longer than expected.

After two scoreless periods, Burlington and Winchester ended the third period tied at 1-1. Overtime wasn't enough despite several golden Red Devil opportunities, but the defending state champions escaped with the North Division 1 crown thanks to a 3-1 shootout win that sealed a 2-1 victory.

Joe Berardi lit the lamp early in the first period for Burlington, then scored the first Red Devil shootout tally to give his team the edge. Adam Crowley added a shootout goal and Joey Scali finished things off with his own, sending the team into Sunday's Division 1 state championship game at TD Garden.

"It was a grinding game and we knew it was going to be," said head coach Bob Conceison. "In the third period I thought we had a couple opportunities where we had to bury the puck - rebounds bouncing over our sticks, the puck hitting the post. So I think it was really fitting that we were able to win in the shootout."

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