Winchester Falls In North Hockey Final

After giving up just three goals in three tournament games and knocking off the defending state champions along the way, this wasn't the ending Winchester expected.

But the tight defense and great goaltending that has been the Sachems' hallmark this season was AWOL Wednesday night at the Tsongas Center. The result was a 6-0 loss to Waltham in the Division 1 North final. Waltham advances to the TD Garden for Sunday's Division 1 state final against Marshfield. Winchester's season finishes at 15-8-2.

"We had a tough first period," said coach Bill Burns of the 3-0 deficit after 15 minutes. "They were very aggressive. They're a good team, very well coached. Defensively we kinda broke down in that first period to their pressure. They popped a quick goals and it's tough to come back from that. They play good defense themselves and plus that goaltender is one of the best in the state."

The Hawks got off to fast start against Winchester and freshman goalie Robert DiVincenzo, scoring three goals in the first period. For a Sachems team that had given up just three goals in its three tournament wins before Wednesday, it wasn't the start Winchester hoped for.

It started when Waltham sophomore Nic Dallaire beat DiVincenzo from in close at 4:14 with the assists going to Connor Blanchard and Brian Pescatore.

Four minutes later Waltham made it 2-0 when senior defenseman Gerard Jelloe fired a shot from just inside the blue line that made it through traffic and past DiVincenzo before he could react. Assists went to Declan Reynolds and Mike Burke. At the 11:06 mark, Waltham made it 3-0 when Reynolds tipped in a centering pass from Andrew Miller. Jelloe also got an assist on the goal. As the first period expired it was no surprise Waltham held an 11-3 shot advantage.

It didn't get any better in the second period for Winchester. The score went to 4-0 on a goal by Luc Dallaire with Reynolds getting the assist, then 5-0 on Chris Egan's goal at 11:28 with assists to Cullen Millerick and Zack McDonald. DiVincenzo was struggling but the Sachems weren't helping him much in front and putting little pressure on Waltham's Penton, who had faced just 12 shots in the first two periods.

Justin Moran made it 6-0 at 5:09 of the third and by then the Hawks were making plans for Sunday.

"We did have shots and we did create opportunities late," said Burns. "I was proud of the kids for that. They never quit and they played 45 minutes hard. I'm proud of the fact we came this far."