The boys and girls high school hockey teams both lost in the first round of playoffs Thursday, with the girls losing in overtime 3-2 to Pembroke and the boys losing 2-1 to Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School.
The girls’ game was a back-and-forth rollercoaster, with a tying goal in the dying seconds of the third period from Vineyarder Mackenna Metell that sent the game into overtime. But Pembroke’s Grace Kazolias scored with three minutes left in the eight-minute overtime period, cutting the post-season short for the Vineyarders.
“It was just a thrilling game,” girls coach Mallory Watts said. “We were putting pucks on the net for the second and the third period. [Pembroke] came out ready to play, too, and those girls were fighting that whole game.”
The other Vineyard goal was scored by Abby Geary at the start of the second period. Metell’s goal also broke a school record for most points for a girls player in one season with 44 points.
The boys hockey team lost 2-1 to Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School.
— Tim Johnson
Ms. Watts looked forward to having many members of the team come back next year.
“They’ve got a lot of heart,” she said. “We did a hell of a lot better this year than I feel a lot of people thought we were going to do. We’re endlessly proud of the girls and proud of their efforts.”
The boys’ game started off physical and emotional, with that energy lasting the whole game. The Vineyarders took awhile to find their stride, as Northeast Metropolitan scored with six minutes left in the first and then scored their second goal four minutes into the second period.
While Adrian Alberghini scored for the Vineyard with just under 10 minutes left in the game, it wasn’t enough to spark a complete comeback as the boys fell 2-1.
Boys coach Matt Mincone credited his team for keeping up throughout all 45 minutes.
“Abrupt endings are tough,” he said. “The kids played hard but it wasn’t in the cards tonight.”
With a senior-heavy team, the emotions of many kids playing in their last game were visible at the end of the game.
“I appreciate the seniors and wish them all luck in their future endeavors,” Mr. Mincone said.
