READING, Mass. — In a matchup of undefeated Middlesex League teams, Winchester held Reading off the scoreboard en route to a 2-0 win at Burbank Arena on New Year’s Eve. After a scoreless first 30 minutes, sophomore Danny Collins scored the game-winning goal midway through the third period. Senior Max Tong iced the game with...
READING, Mass. — In a matchup of undefeated Middlesex League teams, Winchester held Reading off the scoreboard en route to a 2-0 win at Burbank Arena on New Year’s Eve.
After a scoreless first 30 minutes, sophomore Danny Collins scored the game-winning goal midway through the third period. Senior Max Tong iced the game with an empty-net goal late. Sophomore Max Lowenberg posted the shutout for the Sachems.
It was a clean game with very few penalties called. There were a couple of physical hits and plenty of intensity with a packed rink of partisans from both sides. Neither team is on the level of Arlington, but both the Sachems and Rockets are likely to get to double-digit wins and earn a spot in the MIAA Division 1 State Tournament.
Three stars
Danny Collins
Winchester, 9/9/05, C, left shot, 5-9/150
Collins was quickly noticeable for being one of the best skaters in the game. He used his speed to get noticed in all three zones. He recovered pucks and engaged in his own zone. He got to the scoring areas and had the puck a lot. There was no one more consistently impactful than Collins in this game.
Laz Giardina
Reading, 6/29/06, C, left shot, 6-4/175
Giardina, who has played for Top Gun in the past, is a tall, lanky center who plays on the third line, but gets power play time. He has some length, skill and can shoot it. He’ll need to become more of a power forward and use his size to his advantage, but there’s considerable upside.
Max Tong
Winchester, 9/13/05, LW, left shot, 5-10/140
Tong had the empty net goal, but he was around the play a lot and a big factor in his team’s success. He plays in all situations and is in the right place at the right time. He has some offensive skill and could certainly be a nice addition as an upperclassman for a prep school when the time is right.
Winchester lines
Tong - Cashell - Bertocci
Strong - Collins - McCarthy
DeLucia - Porecha - Napolitano
Doherty - Duncan
Mahoney - Dente
Lowenberg
Reading lines
Dufton - Donovan - Fahey
Granara - Pennucci - Boyle
Donnelly - Giardina - Fichera
Palermo - Micciche
Thomson - Lawhorne
Zessis
