Milton Defeats Natick for Trip to State Championship

On Sunday, March 11, the fans were starting to fill the Gallo Arena stands. A lonely figure could be seen slowly walking to the Wildcats bench. It was Steve Wilkie, Milton's Team Manager. 

For more than 30 years Wilkie has been the team manager and never made it to the TD Garden for the State Championship. The Wildcats carried a sign in the bench area that said "Win it for Wilkie."

Natick's team videographer and team bus driver, Bill Dempsey, knew the Natick team also wanted to dedicate a win. It was to a fallen player, Justin Bailey, who passed away earlier this year. "Recently I drove the team out to Justin's grave. It was very emotional," said Dempsey. 

A win was important to both teams.

Milton would get off to an explosive start, if you blinked, you missed it. Ten seconds into the game Brian Higgins passed off to Milton's leading scorer, Paul Curran, who got the puck pass Natick's goalie Derek Kwok for the first goal of the game.

During the first period Milton's goalie, Jay Hankard, would wait patiently in goal while his mates worked Natick's goaltender ,taking 8 shots on goal to one on Hankard.

In the second period both teams would score. First for Milton by freshman, Ryan McDougall, to make it 2-0. Then Natick's senior Michael Perry would find a chink in Hankard's defense to make it 2-1. 

Later in the period Brian Higgins would find the net for the Wildcats. The second period would end with Milton holding a 3-1 lead.

The third period would be intense as both teams tried to score. Natick would come close several times, but Hankard was on his game stopping every shot on goal.

In the end the Wildcats would take home the Division 1 South Championship trophy and a trip to Boston Garden next  Sunday for the Eastern Mass. Division 1 Championship. 

The game would rack up 23 penalties, 10 against Milton and 13 against Natick.

"It was a battle on both sides," said Wildcats goalie Jay Hankard.

Commenting on the game Head Coach Paul Noonan stated, “I knew that we had a good team with some talent, and a lot of seniors. It’s the best team we’ve had in a while, so I knew that we’d make at least a half decent run. But if I told you that I knew we’d be going to the Garden, I’d be a liar.” 

"Wow - I am just glad we won," said Milton's defenseman Dan Curran.

A very happy Steve Wilkie would hold the Division 1 trophy knowing he was finally going to the Boston Garden.