Wildcat Skaters Take Home the Hardware

Editor's Note: The following information was provided by the Wilmington Youth Hockey Association.

It has been one and awards keep arriving for the locals.

At the end of every playoff season the Valley League announces their choices for playoff MVP’s and this season five Wildcats share that honor across three levels of hockey. This shows the commitment and dedication that Wilmington’s coaches and volunteers are known for. All of Wildcat nation should be proud. These awards may be individual in nature but it takes a full team effort to have the success that we have had this season. Read on and you’ll see why. Way to go Wildcats!

First at the Mite level:

EAST AMERICAN A

Top-seeded Wilmington Mite Blue won it all.

In the quarterfinals because they finished first, Wilmington recieved a bye into the next round where in the semifinals, Agawam forced overtime with a goal with just 2:36 left in regulation. But Wilmington took the shootout, 2-1, to win the game, 4-3 – Jason Davey with 1-1-2 in the win.

In the title game, Jason Davey scored five goals, Kevin Ackerley scored four, wearing a hat in the first period, and Jack Anderson set up three goals in Wilmington’s 9-3 win over Andover.

PLAYOFF MVP: Jason Davey, Wilmington

NORTH NATIONAL AAA

Top-seeded Wilmington Mite AAA won the title.

In the quarterfinals, because they finished first, Wilmington recieved a bye into the next round where in the semifinals, Andrew Gallucci picked up a pair of assists and Ryan Ackerley scored what turned out to be the winner with 2:43 left in the second period of Wilmington’s 3-2 decision over Waltham.

In the championship game, Nolan Vigeant had 1-1-2, Nathan Alberti snapped a 1-1 tie with 2:22 left in the second period and Sam Cedrone was again strong in goal as Wilmington nipped Newburyport, 3-1.

PLAYOFF MVP: Sam Cedrone, Wilmington

Not to be outdone next up were the Squirts:

SOUTH AMERICAN A

No. 2 Wilmington Squirt AA won the division and then also won a crossover game.

In the quarterfinals, because Wilmington finished in second they received a bye into the next round where in the semifinals, Cam Banks scored two goals and assisted on another in Wilmington’s 6-2 win over Woburn.  

In the title game, Banks wore a natural hat in the third period, Taylor Padulsky had 1-1-2 and Justin Crowley two assists in Wilmington’s 5-4 victory over Nashua.

PLAYOFF MVP: Cam Banks, Wilmington

In the crossover game, Alex Fitzler lost a shutout with 58 seconds left and Jared Russell scored what turned out to be the winner with 1:51 remaining as Wilmington edged Acton-Boxboro, 2-1.

EAST AMERICAN AAA

No. 3 Wilmington Squirt AAA won the division and also won a crossover game.

In the quarterfinals, Tim Kippenberger scored four goals in Wilmington’s 5-3 win over No. 6 Woburn.

In the semifinals, Jason Thibert and Matt Pendenza scored 57 seconds apart early in the third period and Christian Robarge had 2-1-3 as Wilmington nipped Chelmsford, 5-3.

In the title game, Wilmington edged Melrose, 5-4, in a shootout -- Kipppenberger (2-2-4) scoring with 1:24 left to force overtime.

PLAYOFF MVP: Tim Kippenberger, Wilmington

In the crossover game, Kippenberger scored twice as Wilmington scored three times in a 6:39 span of the first period as Wilmington edged Everett/Revere, 3-2.

With all that hardware in front of them the Peewees would not be denied a place at the podium.

WEST NATIONAL A

No. 2 Wilmington Peewee A won the championship.

In the quarterfinals,  Ryan Collins, Jerry Brazile and Max Vale scored in a 2:58 span early in the second period and Stephen Bowker pitched a shutout in Wilmington’s 4-0 victory over No. 7 Medford.

In the semifinals, Max Shapiro scored with 8:14 left to give Wilmington a 2-1 decision over Beverly.

In the title game, Mike Daley, Brazile, Carl Beatrice and Calvin Stafford all posted a goal and an assist in Wilmington’s 6-2 win over.

PLAYOFF MVP: Stephen Bowker, Wilmington.

What a ride.

This season has been an absolute joy to be a part of and the future looks bright for the Wildcats of Wilmington. Congratulations Boys.