Playoff Intensity Starts a Week Early for Wilmington and Peabody Boys Hockey Teams

The Division II hockey playoffs don't start for more than a week. Someone forgot to give and Peabody that memo.

Both teams are heading to the postseason, and the two slugged out a non-league game on Saturday afternoon at . The host Wildcats earned the win, 2-1, despite falling behind in the opening period.

"That's a good team and the kind of team you're going to play in the tournament," said Wilmington head coach Steve Scanlon. "That's why we're playing these non-league, tournament-level teams at the end (of the regular season). It's a tournament tune up without the risk, so we're hoping that helps."

Steve Hatchouel pounced on a juicy rebound with 1:15 to play in the first period to provide Peabody with a 1-0 lead.

That edge stuck until nearly five minutes elapsed in the second. That's when massive Wilmington defenseman Brian Hurley fired a rebound of his own into the back of the net to knot things at 1-1.

Hurley led a stellar defensive effort for the Wildcats on the afternoon. He cleared out several would-be breakaways and also stepped up the physical game throughout.

"He's intimidating to play against. He was throwing kids all over the place," said Scanlon. "I wouldn't want to play against him either, and he plays with a mean streak. Put a helmet on him and watch out."

Sophomore Jake Rogers notched the eventual game-winner with 12:39 to play in the contest. His tally also came on a rebound as he ended up with an open net to the side of goalie Derek Savage, who managed 19 saves for the Tanners.

"We've got to find a way to get some goals," said Peabody head coach Mark Leonard. "We had some real good chances today and (Wilmington goalie Joe Aucoin) made some good saves, but we had a couple opportunities i thought we'd be able to cash in on."

Wilmington honored nine seniors prior to the game, and Scanlon said the group is critical to what's turned out to be a surprisingly dominant season for the Wildcats.

"You need your seniors to show you the way," said Scanlon. "My seniors have been around on some good teams that have gone a long way in the tournament, so they've been around that stuff. They've done a good job. You want them all to play good on senior night."

Scanlon's charges next face another pair of playoff preparation games. All eyes in the area will be on Ristuccia as Wilmington and border rival Tewksbury square off at 8 p.m. The Wildcats them host Masconomet on Friday at 2 p.m.

Peabody, meanwhile, closes out against Bishop Fenwick at home at 2 p.m. Monday.

"The playoffs start next week so it's good to play a team like that," said Leonard. "Both teams are usually good every year. As you can see it was great hockey, up and down, physical and great playoff hockey. That's why we scheduled it so late."