BOSTON — It was a close call for Winthrop.
Just over a minute into the second period of the MIAA Division 4 boys state title, No. 6 Dedham appeared to score the first goal of the game. Marauders senior forward Brian Dunne set his edges and drove to the front of the net in a 1-on-1, deking to his backhand and seemingly tucking it home for the lead.
But the officials conferred and went to video review, eventually waving the goal off. The net had come off before Dunne put the puck over the line.
It took no time for Winthrop to capitalize on the momentum swing.
Just 19 seconds after the disallowed goal, senior captain Michael Holgersen got the Vikings on the board. Senior captain Philip Boncore drove to the slot through multiple defenders before sliding a backhand feed to Holgersen as he was taken down. Holgersen finished an easy one-timer just 1:28 into the second.
Winthrop never looked back, winning, 3-0, as Holgersen finished with a hat trick en route to the program's second title and their first since 1976. Senior captain Michael Donahue had a 22-save shutout in net for the Vikings (12-6-2).
BOYS BRACKETS:Â Division 1Â |Â Division 2Â |Â Division 3Â |Â Division 4
Moments after Donahue made his best stop of the game on Dedham senior Tim Holton in the slot, Holgersen added insurance on the power play. Sophomore Joseph Pumphret got free from a battle to the left of the crease and swiped a rebound into open space in the slot, where Holgersen was waiting to fire it into the yawning cage with 2:45 left in regulation.
Holgersen iced it with an empty-netter from center ice 37 seconds later.
Here are some quick takeaways from the game:
1. What a game for Holgersen's line with Boncore and Pumphret. They found a groove in the second period and took over from there. Holgersen was constantly in the right places at the right times, and Boncore was everywhere. He always gave second and third efforts to win battles and make plays, and he and Pumphret combined for some great looks around the net down the stretch in the second. Pumphret made a hell of an effort in the battle in front to get free and dish to Holgersen for his second goal.
2. Donahue's numbers won't jump off the page with just 22 saves, but he was fantastic, especially down the stretch and in the first. Dedham controlled the pace for a lot of the first period, and Donahue came up big. He was Winthrop's best player early, denying Ryan Laughter in the slot on a 3-on-2 before stuffing Cam Keane in the slot. Donahue's best stop of the game came as the Vikings were holding onto the 1-0 advantage. Holton dangled into the high slot and tried to go top shelf. Donahue got to the top of his crease and made a huge shoulder save. Dedham took a penalty immediately after, and Winthrop made them pay.
GIRLS BRACKETS:Â Division 1Â |Â Division 2
3. The Marauders had their share of chances to get on the board, especially Keane's line with Sam MacDougall and Patrick Stamm. Dunne was also one of the Marauders' most dangerous attackers throughout the day. He used his speed to his advantage and gained inside position on defenders. Dedham just couldn't solve Donahue.
