Tewksbury 6th Grade Hockey Team Wins Middle School Championship

(Editor's note: The following information was submitted by the coaches of the Tewksbury 6th Grade Hockey Team.)

The Tewksbury 6^th grade hockey team captured the Middle School Hockey Championship after an impressive playoff run. The Redmen entered the playoffs as the #7 seed, after an up and down regular season.  When the final horn sounded, they were raising the Middle School Championship Cup.

Tewksbury 7 Billerica 0

Tewksbury opened the playoffs against Billerica. From the opening faceoff they made sure that the game was never in doubt. Offensive contributions from Jack Sutherland, Mitchell Andrea, and Jamesie Cash, helped Tewksbury put seven goals on the board. The defense, led by strong play from Andrew Zampitella and Tommy Craig, gave Billerica few offensive chances. Those shots that Billerica was able to put on net were turned away by Mathew Andrea, who turned in a shutout performance.

Tewksbury 5 Woburn 5 (2-0 shootout)

Tewksbury’s next opponent was the number two seed Woburn. The Redmen found themselves down 3-1 early in the game. After two unanswered goals by Connor Doherty, the Redmen had the game tied up 3-3. Tewksbury took the lead on a goal from Richie Colarusso. The teams then traded goals, leaving the game tied 5-5 going into the last minute. Tewksbury appeared to have the game winning goal with eight seconds left, when they stuffed home a loose puck. Unfortunately the referee waived off the goal because the whistle had blown. The teams remained tied though the overtime period, setting up a shootout. First up for Tewksbury was Kelly Golini, who got the Redmen off to a good start with a goal. Woburn’s first shooter was stopped by a nice pad save. Next up for Tewksbury was Billy Giasullo, who also found the back of the net. Woburn’s second shooter had no better luck than their first, getting stoned by Andrea, giving the Redmen the shootout victory.

Tewksbury 5 Melrose 3

Obviously hoping to avoid the drama of their previous game, Tewksbury jumped out to an early lead against Melrose. Johnny Spinelli scored his first goal of the playoffs, to help pace the offensive effort. Tewksbury’s defense and goal tending were again strong, making sure the early lead held up.  A solid two-way hockey game at both ends of the ice ensured the Redmen a place in the Championship.

Tewksbury 4 Stoneham 3

In the championship game, Tewksbury faced Stoneham. Stoneham jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a shorthanded goal. Tewksbury netted the equalizer on a power play goal by Stephen Johnson later in the first period. Tewksbury’s defense frustrated the regular season’s highest scoring team throughout the game, lead by the strong physical play of Michael Andrea and Patrick Hunt. The Redmen’s defense also made its presence felt in the offensive end, aggressively working to keep the puck in the Stoneham zone. The aggressive play paid dividends when Colby Pierce broke the tie on an impressive one on one effort. Tewksbury increased the lead when Brendan Sjostedt wristed home Tewksbury’s second goal of the period. Tewksbury began the third period where they left off, when they scored off a loose puck rebound in front of net. Stoneham refused to go quietly, finally putting their high powered offense on display. Stoneham scored two quick goals to bring them within one, with about four minutes left in the game. Tewksbury shifted into defensive mode, making Stoneham work hard just to get into the offensive zone. Stoneham pulled their goalie in the final minute to try and tie the game. The Redmen held off Stoneham’s last ditch attack, clearing the puck out to center ice with only two seconds left.  As the final horn sounded the Redmen bench emptied and the celebration was one.