On President's Day at 10:50 am, the Mad Dogs played Swampscott at the O'Brien Rink in Woburn. All their games this week are at the O'Brien. A lot of hockey is scheduled for the Mad Dogs over February School Vacation as they finish out their season, hoping for an impressive record and twenty points. The 2/18 game was a tough loss.
Both goalies, Rafael DeCarlucci and Brian “Shoe” Wilshusen, split the game, allowing two goals each. Frankie Bonanno scored, assisted by Jeff Russo and Robbie Ramirez. Cam Mercier gave the team more hope and got the second goal, assisted by Bonanno and Ryan O'Connor, but they could not catch up to Swampscott, who led throughout. It was a 2-4 loss for Burlington.
The next day February 19th at 12:20 pm, Arlington and Burlington faced off. Coach Pepicelli was the lone coach on the bench. The quick first period was scoreless, though the Mad Dogs got more shots on net. Arlington's goalie was not letting any pucks through. Both teams showed grit in the second period, anxious to score. Finally, Matt Ryan and Logan D'Auria got the puck out of the Mad Dog end to Nick Dalla-Santa, who surprised the defense and shot hard to score with 28 seconds left in the second period.
Down by one, a dramatic breakaway for Arlington started the third, after some cross ice passes, the defense lost the puck and an Arlington forward skated past to claim it. On his fast breakaway, the defense caught up to him and unfortunately caused a trip that sent him sprawling and earned a penalty shot. The penalty shot was a slow approach that gave DeCarlucci time to crouch down and deftly poke his stick out flat, stopping the puck. Arlington's enthusiasm was deflated after this missed opportunity to tie the game. A minute or so later, Connor Desharnais scored, assisted by Tim Bridges, Bonanno and Ryan. Seven minutes of intense play ensued where Arlington got serious again, but Dalla-Santa scored his second goal of the game anyway, assisted by D'Auria and Desharnais. Arlington responded with strong passes and attempts to score that added to the penalty count as opposing players clashed. They even took their goalie out for the extra player but it did not help. Bridges scored, assisted by Bonanno, with a distant shot that went untouched into the open net. 4-0 with six minutes left to play, Sean Casey had a nice wrist shot that made it 5-0.
This game ended well for the Mad Dogs, now at 9-8-1. DeCarlucci and Wilshusen shut out the Arlington rush. The Mad Dogs got the 5-0 victory against an Arlington team that had bested them before.
After Monday's loss, this victory was a nice waylay into their first Fantasy Draft Tuesday night where captains chose teams from available past and present 7-9nth grade Mad Dog players to match up in the 2013 Winter Classic scheduled for Friday, February 22nd. Players were chosen in a fourteen round draft and given a choice of number and vintage jersey to wear. The celebration at Panera Bread in Wilmington went well and players enjoyed refreshments and conversation, led by coaches Bill Pepicelli, Chris Marchese and Stephen O'Brien as the draft played out.
Check out details and pictures of the Fantasy Draft on twitter @MSMSMadDogs. Also, for stats, updates on the season and history of the team, visit maddoghockey.net.
