WHS sports roundup
WHS girls hockey  qualifies for tourney
The Winthrop High Lady Bulldawg hockey team defeated Belmont, 4-0, Friday evening to clinch a berth in the MIAA post-season state tourney. The victory also marked an appropriate celebration of Senior Night festivities at which the senior members of the team, Olivia Shkliew, Gabby Kenniston, Nicole Pucillo, and Ali Scarfo, were honored for their contributions to the girls hockey program.
After a scoreless first period, McKayla Norris broke the deadlock early in the second frame when she scored on a 2-on-1 break with teammate Kelsie Griffiths, who earned the assist on the play.
Mia Price, Winthrop’s top goal scorer with eight for the season, made it 3-0 before the period ended, unloading a pair of hard slapshots that beat the Belmont netminder. Catie O’Shea assisted on the first tally.
Norris potted her second lamplighter of the evening in the final stanza, assisted by Griffiths (who is the leading scorer for the Lady Bulldawgs with six goals and 10 assists for 16 points), for some extra insurance.
WHS netminder Gretchen Howard earned the shutout between the pipes as the Lady Bulldawgs closed out the win to punch their ticket for a Journey to the Tourney.
The triumph was sandwiched between a pair of losses to Beverly, the first place team in the Northeast Hockey League, last Wednesday by a score of 3-0, and then this past Tuesday to Masconomet, 3-2, in the first round of the Newburyport Bank Hockey Classic.
In the contest with Masco, goals by Sydney Adamson (assisted by Pucillo) and Griffiths (assisted by Shkliew and Bella Perrotti) in the middle period erased an early 1-0 Masco lead.
However, Masco responded with two unanswered markers of their own in the final frame to claim the 3-2 win.
The Lady Bulldawgs, who now stand at 9-7-1, will meet Marblehead in the Newburyport tournament consolation round today (Thursday) at 5:00 in the last game of the regular season. Coach Anthony Martucci and his crew then will have a week off to await the announcement of their seeding and first-round pairing in the MIAA Division 1 state tournament.
Howard named to
All-Conference team
Junior Gretchen Howard, the star goaltender for the Winthrop High Lady Bulldawg hockey team, has been named to the All-Conference squad of the Northeast Hockey League, an honor bestowed upon only seven girls in the league (three forwards, two defensemen, one goalie, and a seventh player).
Three Lady Bulldawg teammates, Mia Price, Olivia Shkliew, and Kelsie Griffiths, were among those selected to the league All-Star team, which is comprised of the top 20 girls in the league.
WHS boys hockey
team tops Belmont
The Winthrop High boys hockey team skated to a 4-0 shutout of Belmont Saturday at Larsen Rink in the Vikings’ only contest this past week.
Charlie Page, Winthrop’s leading scorer with 15 goals and 17 assists, gave the Vikings a quick 1-0 lead in the opening period, assisted by Noah Hodgkins. Mike Norris (five goals and nine assists), assisted by Dave Barry, made it 2-0 before the period ended.
Page, assisted by Norris and Mike Casey, upped the lead to 3-0 on the power play in the second period. Henry Brooks, Winthrop’s second-leading scorer with 11 goals and four assists, made it a 4-0 contest with another power play goal in the third stanza. Casey and Page earned assists on the goal.
Viking goalie Greg Gill earned his first shutout of the season.
“We’ve really been working on our power play in practice,†said WHS assistant coach Mike Norris with reference to the Vikings’ success this season with a man-advantage. “We’ve moved some players around to different positions, most notably putting Charlie Page, a forward, at the point, and it has made a difference.â€
The Vikings, who now stand at 10-6-3 on the season, are amidst an 11-day layoff before their season finale this Wednesday (February 24) against Mansfield in a contest that will be highlighted by Senior Night festivities. The seniors who will be honored for their contributions to the WHS hokey program are Hodgkins, Norris, Casey, and goalie Brandon Creador.
The Winthrop squad will be making a visit during their break to Boston University to tour the B.U. hockey facility and watch the Terriers in a practice session. WHS head coach Dale Dunbar is a Terrier alum who played for the B.U. team from 1981-85.
Page, Hodgkins named
to NEC All-Conference
Two members of the Winthrop High hockey team, forward Charlie Page and defenseman Noah Hodgkins, have been named to the All-Conference team of the Northeastern Conference. Only five players and a goalie are named to the All-Conference squad.
Three of their Viking teammates also were named to the North Division All-Star team: forwards Henry Brooks, Mike Norris, and Steve Holgersen.
From the Press Box sponsored by: MSA MORTGAGE
The Truth
By: Jim Lederman
Can you name the three leading scorers in Boston Celtics history? I watched my first ‘world championship’ in the Boston Garden in 1957. I’ve been a huge Celtics fan and a former season ticket holder.
I’ve watched the greatest players in Celtics history. Bill Russell revolutionized defense, Bob Cousy was Mr. Assist. Larry Bird was a legend, Kevin McHale was sensational, and John Havlicek is on top of the Celtics all-time list!
Trivia Answer: Havlicek, Paul Pierce and Larry Bird rank top three in scoring on a team that has 17 world championships.
The ‘truth’ Paul Pierce played 15 seasons for the Boston Celtics. Paul at 38 years old may have played his last game in Boston last Wednesday night as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. ‘The Truth’ – his nickname ranks in the top ten in Celtics history. I will give my top ten Celtics al-time team – Bob Cousy, Bill Russell, Larry Bird, John Havlicek, Kevin McHale, Paul Pierce, Sam Jones, Tom Heinsohn. I watched Tom Heinsohn as a rookie on the world championship 1957 team.
Today I marvel at Tom Heinsohn the play-by-play broadcaster. Tommy at 82 years of age and 35 seasons with Mike Gorman, he is a true Celtic Legend, 8-world championships and two as a Celtic coach. From Holy Cross at forward at 6’7â€.
When I watch ‘the King’ Lebron James play – he has three rings and I don’t’ think he will win another crown!
We have been fortunate in Boston to win world champions in hockey, baseball and football. Boston and New England, “The home of world championships.â€
Let the Games Begin!
Faces in the Crowd
Belated birthday wishes to the ‘Don’ of Wilshire, aka the Commodore of the Pleasant Park Yacht Club, Joseph Crotty!
A familiar hockey name surfaced in the Revere Journal last week, Ricky Briana, son of Richard Briana Jr., scored a goal for the Patriots. Dad was an ex-Viking skater; grandfather was the original skater in the family! Tip of the Hat!
Trivia: The most famous Wesleyan University graduate coach Bill Belichick!
Forty Years
I will write a feature story on the 1976 undefeated Division One Viking hockey team (26-0-1) four thrilling games in the legendary old Boston Garden.
“Number Seven†– co-captain Steve Goddard is planning a reunion party next month to celebrate Winthrop’s greatest hockey team! To those new Viking hockey fans, the Vikings first line scored 212 points. Captain Bobby McDonald scored 57 goals! Bobby played at Harvard University. The 1976 NEC hoop champions played for a state title at Beverly, captain Steve DeMetriou, played at Tufts and is now CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Steve was inducted in the Winthrop high school Hall of Fame in 2014. Kevin ‘Spoon’ Corkhum and Billy English were two teammates on the 1976 NEC champions – 1976 – what a year in Viking sports. I will write a feature story next month.
Winthrop- Home of Championship Teams!
Lady Bulldawgs qualify for tourney
By: Jim Lederman
The Lady Bulldawgs held two celebrations on Friday night at Larsen Rink. The ‘Dawgs’ honored four seniors on Senior Night. They celebrated clinching a berth in the MIAA Tourney with a (4-0) victory over Belmont.
“It’s great to get into the Tourney,†praised coach Anthony ‘Butch’ Martucci we have never missed the tournament since I’ve been coach,†This is a very young squad and we play in a very strong league. The girls skate year round and work extra hard to clinch it at home (Larsen Rink) was extra sweet.†The Lady Bulldawgs scored three goals in the second period. Sophomore McKayla Norris and Mia Price scored two key goals each to lead the Dawgs victory.
Gretchen Howard, junior all-star net minder turned aside 13 shots to record the shutout victory. The Dawgs offense in the final two periods was one of their best periods of the season. The Dawgs had a (12-1) advantage in shots in the third stanza.
The four seniors honored before the game: co-captains Nicole Puccillo and Olivia Shkliew, Gabby Kenniston and Ally Scarfo celebrated their final game on the Larsen Rink ice.
The Lady Vikings played in the Newburyport Tourney this week and will find out t heir tourney game next week.
Who Let the Dawgs Out?
Let the Games Begin!
Vikings Ice Belmont (4-0)
The temperature was bitter cold (5 degrees) outside Larsen Rink at the Michael Eruzione Center, but inside Charlie Page turned up the heat, in leading the Vikings to a (4-0) victory.
The junior all-star center, scored two goals, hit the post and almost had another hat trick. The Vikings improved to (10—6-3) preparing for the Division 2 state tourney.
Charlie wasted little time on another dazzling unassisted tally at 13:56 of the first period. Co-captain Michael Norris lit the lamp with 4:41 left in the period. Michael with an assist to Dave Barry lifted the Vikings to a (2-0) advantage.
The Charlie Page explosion (5 goals in his last 3 games) continued at 7:56 of the second period. Hard working senior Mike Casey assisted on a pretty 2-on-1 play.
The final Viking goal at 6:38 of period number three was scored b y sophomore standout Henry Brooks. Captain Mike Norris had the assist. Junior Greg Gill posted the shut out for the Vikings and he was sharp all night between the pipes.
The Viking had a senior night game with Division One power Mansfield last night at Larsen Rink.
The historic Larsen Rink (41 years old) is the coldest rink on the North Shore. The Olympic legend captain Mike Eruzione was at rink side. Charlie Page has another season to continue his outstanding play at Larsen Rink!
Extra Points
The Winthrop Vikings hockey team has had a very successful season. The Vikings won 10games as they prepare for the MIAA Tourney.
The leading scorers: Charlie Page (15-17-32), Henry Brooks (11-4-15), Capt. Mike Norris (5-9-14), Noah Hodgkins (2-8-10), Sam Yarrow (8-4-12).
Goaltenders: Junior Greg Gill (5-5-2) and senior Brandon Creador (5-1-2). I will have a feature on the great goaltending team next week!
The DeFelice coaching family
Apologies to coach Bob DeFelice for the typing mistake last week. Coach Bob DeFelice led his Vikings to a NEC record 33-game ‘unbeaten streak’.
Coach DeFelice is the Bentley University Athletic Director and the only head baseball coach in Bentley history – still coaching!
Frank DeFelice, Bob’s older brother won 450 games as baseball coach at Swampscott. Coach DeFelice retired as assistant coach for 50 years! Frank coached the Big Blue vs. The Vikings! Frank is still coaching baseball as assistant coach at Endicott College.
The third coach DeFelice – Michael is the outstanding assistant coach of the Winthrop Vikings. ‘Coach Defa†had his Viking offensive line smash Revere on Thanksgiving 2015. WE salute the DeFelice coaching family!
The Commissioner
Winthrop has college athletic directors and commissioners in town. I had the pleasure of meeting Joe Walsh last week. Joe is the commissioner of the “Great Northeast Athletic Conferenceâ€, a division three-college conference. Joe is the head of all the N.E. Division three Colleges.
Joe is related to Bruce Wright, former Arlington High School and the University of Wyoming football standout. Joe said to me, Bruce was a teammate and friend of your ex-WHS teammate – the ‘Wyoming Cowboy,’ Billy Levine, Capt. Billy Levine, a college all-American lineman. Joe moved to town –loves Winthrop and has an office in town.
He asked me the trivia question of the week – Name four college athletic directors who come from Winthrop – answer next week.
Faces at Larsen Rink
Michael McDuffee and grandchildren, Lt. Pat Staff watching his grandson Henry Brooks scores another goal for the Vikings. Please note – another proud ‘Rainbow Alley Legendâ€, Pat Staff – he can still play with the best on the Winthrop golf course!
Minnie Martucci watching captain Noah Hodgkins, excel on the ice, Mike DeFelice, cheering for some of his football players – how long till the Vikings play at Miller Field?
Coach Sean Driscoll reminded me; the off-season workouts for football players begin this month. To the Viking seniors “Championships are won during the off season†– Go Vikings!
At the Petrilli Super Bowl Party – Coaches Driscoll and Dunbar, Captain Michael Eruzione, arriving from Hawaii – always touring the country!
The Electric Man – “The Sound Manâ€, Angelo Vigliotta, Atty. Chris Tsiotos and coach Max, ex-Revere teammate of Al Petrilli – Freddy Kelloway, ex-Viking super bowl players, Al Petrilli Jr., Rob Hamilton and Vin Eruzione Jr., Mr. Construction Billy Deeb, the man behind the beautiful restaurant J.W.’s. Do you know who J.W.’s is named after?
Bruins Alumni Hockey
The Boston Bruins Alumni Hockey team will skate in a charity hockey game at Larsen Rink on Sunday, Feb. 21st at Larsen Rink.
The Bruins Alumni will face off with the Boston Strong All-Stars in partnership with the Boston Bruins Foundation to support care and research of pediatric head trauma at the Boston Children’s Hospital. Ray Bourque and teammates will be at Larsen Rink.
Face off is at 2 p.m., Sunday.
Let the Games Begin!
Viking Athlete of the Week
The MSA Mortgage ‘Viking’ Athlete of the Week is senior Olivia Grillo. Olivia is a three-sport athlete, basketball, volleyball and softball.
Olivia is a National Honor Society student. Olivia is playing on the Lady Vikings hoop team for the first time. The hard working senior has been an unsung player for coach John Gambale.
We salute this week’s MSA Athlete of the Week – Olivia Grillo
Let the Games Begin!
WHS sports Years
10 years ago
February 9, 2006
WHS head basketball coach Dave Brown said his team played “the best game by any team I’ve ever coached†after his Vikings defeated Beverly, 76-58, before a delighted home crowd at the WHS gym. Anthony Guliani and Jason Griffin scored 18 points apiece to pace Winthrop. Dave Segal hit for 12 points and Vasily Mallios added nine. Nick Leonard pulled down 12 rebounds. In a 64-38 rout of Revere, Giuliani led the way with 19 points, followed by Griffin with 16 and Segal with 10.
Ben Sena won the high jump with a leap of 5’-4†and Kareem Thompson won the 50-yard dash in 5.7 seconds to highlight the WHS boys’ track team’s recent contest with Danvers.
Jared Herdt scored both goals to lead the WHS hockey team to a 2-1 win over Saugus.
20 years ago
Feb. 22, 1996
The WHS hockey team dropped a 3-2 decision to Saugus. Jack Cimino and Jason Calla scored the goals for the Vikings. Winthrop now is 11-6-1 for the season and is preparing for the state tourney.
The only issue left for the WHS boys basketball team, which already has clinched a berth in the state tourney, is whether Lawone Bennett can win the crown as the NEC’s scoring champion. Bennett has been averaging 21 points per game, but needs 30 points in the season finale to claim the scoring title.
The newly-organized Winthrop High School Sports Hall of Fame says it will hold its first induction banquet in October.
Albie Maggio finished in second place in the 50 yard dash and Matt Passaro took second place in the hurdles at the recent state divisional meet. Carlos Bonlla was third in the hurdles.
Shara Geraghty scored 14 points for the WHS girls basketball team in a 66-42 loss to Triton.
30 years ago
February 26, 1986
The WHS girls basketball team will host Newburyport in the opening round of the Division 2 North state tourney Thursday evening.
Lady Viking Kim Krovitz finished in sixth place in the 50-yard hurdles at the recent All-State Track Meet held at Harvard.
The WHS hockey tea was eliminated from state tourney play in the opening round with a 9-1 loss to Wakefield.
40 years ago
Feb. 18 1976
The NEC regular-season champion WHS hockey team captured the NEC playoff title this past week and now is preparing for the state tourney. Viking Bobby MacDonald finished as the leading scorer in the state in Division I.
The NEC champion boys basketball team also is awaiting the start of the state tourney.
50 years ago
February 24, 1966
The WHS basketball team defeated Danvers, 50-48, in a thrilling encounter to claim an undisputed NEC title. The contest, played at the new WHS gym before a packed house, was as exciting a contest as ever has been played by a WHS quintet. Jackie Conway sank two free throws in the final minute and Ron Miles sank one in the final seconds to clinch the victory. The large crowd swarmed the floor to congratulate their heroes, who claimed the 14th NEC basketball title for Winthrop in the Winthrop’s 22 years as a member of the NEC.
The WHS boys gymnastics team captured the Merrimack Valley league title Saturday. The team, in its first year as a varsity sport at Winthrop High, finished with an 8-5 record under coach Peter Coon. Members of the team include Jim Murphy, Kevin Dow, Don Nunes, Phil Kaan, Tom Swanson, Fred Beddoes, Roger Soris, and Jim Boland.
60 years ago
Feb. 23, 1956
Although the WHS basketball team rolled past Danvers, 80-56, the Winthrop squad saw its chances for an NEC title fade with Marblehead’s win over Swampscott. Capt. Charlie Rand, playing in his final game in a WHS uniform, scored 26 points. Vin Lombardo added 19 and Roland Pearce scored 16. Rand finished as the second-leading scorer in the NEC this season with 176 points.
70 years ago
February 21, 1946
Danvers will be the focus of attention for WHS basketball fans when the two schools collide tonight in a playoff game to decide the NEC championship. Winthrop was forced to play the game after dropping a 41-38 decision to Amesbury, Winthrop’s second league loss this season. Earlier in the week, Winthrop avenged a previous, non-league loss to archival Revere, 21-16.
90 years ago
February 20, 1926
The high school basketball team showed its best form of the season with a 26-14 defeat of Everett. The work of Winthrop was of the highest order, both in offensive and defensive playing.
100 years ago
February 26, 1916
Winthrop High won an exciting game from Winchester, 25-13, at the local gym. The visitors put up a good fight in the early going before Winthrop pulled away. Several spectacular shots were caged by the Winthrop team from difficult angles. Fielding and Sheehan did the brunt of the work for Winthrop. Earlier in the week, Winthrop easily defeated Franklin High, 30-4. Sheehan scored the largest number of points for Winthrop with six field goals from the floor.