Stoneham Ices Trip To State Title Game

It was hard to tell what was more important to the Stoneham hockey players. Was it the Division 2 North title they had just earned with a 2-1 win over Boston Latin? Or was it the fact James Luti's No. 11 jersey had one more trip to make, this time to the TD Garden for the state championship game?

"It means the world to us," said coach Paul Sacco of winning for their former defenseman who passed away last November. "James was a special player, a special person and the kids are just rallying around him. They feel him here and they're playing for him."

Not only was their friend's memory in their thoughts, but his parents Maria and John were there as well and spoke to the team in the Tsongas Center locker room following the emotional win. With the state title game Sunday at the Garden, it's a scene they hope to repeat.

As for the game, it's played on ice, so it's no surprise how Sacco described the hero of Sunday's win.

"He's slippery," said Sacco of Nick Feliciano, whose power play goal with 7:11 to play Sunday gave Stoneham the win. "We tell him to shoot the puck more, but he's always coming up with that big goal. He's always pushing the offensive zone, and he's dangerous any time he's got the puck on his stick."

The game didn't start well for Stoneham (18-4-2). A penalty 13 seconds into the game led to a Boston Latin (13-8-3) power play goal by Devin Gallagher at 1:36. But Stoneham tied it on a goal by Nick Deltrecco with assists going to Brandon Stewart and Jake Burridge. It was 1-1 after one, and with no scoring in the second period the stage was set for Feliciano's winner.

After Feliciano's goal, it was nailbiting time as the Wolfpack applied pressure. Sacco called a timeout with 4:25 to play, and Latin did the same with 1:28 on the clock. But Stoneham and senior goalie Peter Barry held off the Wolfpack.

"Peter Barry (23 saves) came up with some huge saves," said Sacco. "He's been solid all year. We just did what he had to do to win the game. We're not done yet hopefully."

Photo by Bob Holmes