Weekly Update

Boys Hockey vs. Melrose

By: Jaime Gweshe

The Red Devils continued to play a sound defense as well as light up the scoreboard in a 5-0 shutout against the Melrose Red Raiders Wednesday night. Despite the game being rather inconsistent for the Devils, the team is now riding on a four game win streak largely due to the acquisition of key players back into the lineup that have been injured. Four healthy offensive lines as well as a defense that seems to be getting more comfortable on the blue line with each start helped Burlington come out with the win.

“Ever since we lost those two games in a row, I think we’ve come back with a new attitude,” said forward Trevor Cimino, “We came out harder, worked harder at practice and I think it paid of for us tonight.”

Trevor Cimino’s first goal of the night at 5:23 seemed to give the team a much-needed burst of energy and helped swing momentum Burlington’s favor. Shortly after Trevor’s goal the Devils got the puck into the attacking zone more and increase their net pressure.

Cimino has been on a lengthy streak of goals and assists for Burlington this season, his teammates look to his preparation for games as being key to his success, “He’s just been stepping up, especially for a junior,” said fellow eleventh grader Steve Mattos, “he’s been working hard in practice, and he does what he needs to do on and off the ice, he’s just getting it done.”

Chris Irwin further energized the team when he scored the second goal of the night giving the Devil’s a 2-0 lead. One of the most entertaining things to watch certainly is when ever a goal is scored and Chris Irwin is on the ice there is sure to be a huge grin on his face and excitement that seems to be infectious to the rest of his teammates. “I just get so excited when I score, even when I get an assisted. I just love being on the ice when a goal is scored.” Said Irwin after the game.

“Irwin being a captain and senior he’s a really great leader, he stepped up when he needed to and really got the ball rolling for everyone to start scoring.” Said Steven Mattos regarding the way Chris Irwin seemed to spark the offense.

Kyle Crowley later added to Burlington’s lead with his goal at 12:21. Crowley certainly has had Melrose’s number when it comes to putting the puck in the net. The eldest Crowley brother had goals in both the first and second period Wednesday night for the Devils; he also had two goals and an assist back in December when the Devils first played Melrose at the Flynn Rink.

The second period was once again started with the Melrose offense surging into the Devil’s defensive zone. But between diving stops by defensemen like RJ Caruso and hard hits by guys like Shane Matthews and Mike Grinnell, those mixed with the continued excellence from goalie Derek DeCastro helped keep Melrose at bay. Kyle Crowley netted in his second goal of the night at 9:32 to give Burlington the 4-0 lead. Then it was Trevor Cimino’s turn to light the lamp again for his second goal of the night less than a minuet after Crowley’s goal. One of the bigger stories of the night was another outstanding performance from Burlington’s goaltender Derek DeCastro.

With the shutout Wednesday night and in DeCastro’s last three starts in net he has let in just three goals and has made 60 saves to help Burlington win games against some very good teams in the Middlesex League as well as an out of league game against Billerica.

“The team is definitely really confident with Derek in net, he brings a lot of confidence to the team,” said junior Trevor Cimino who had two goals and two assists in the game, “He brings a spark to out team and he’s great every game.”

The players that show up on the score sheet in tonight’s games weren’t the only ones making a huge difference in the win against Melrose. Players such as Brendan Slowe and Mike Grinnell add to Burlington’s depth and talent on the blue line, providing even more physicality to the team as well as creating scoring opportunities and preventing turnovers in the neutral zone.

Burlington will look to their next game at home against Reading Saturday night at the Burlington Ice Palace.

Melrose 0-0-0-0

First Period: B-Cimino (unassisted); B-Irwin (McMahn) 5:23; B-K.Crowley (Cimino, Rompkey) 12:21 Penalties: B-Diffley (slashing) 1:06; B-Matthews 2:33 (crosschecking).

Second Period: B-K.Crowley (Cimino, Caruso) 9:32; B-Cimino (Mattos) 10:28 Penalties: B-Matthews (holding) 8:34; M-Murphy ( crosschecking) 8:42; M-Finimani (roughing) 10:54

Third Period: No scoring. Penalties: B-Mattos (crosschecking) 3:57; M-Hanson (roughing) 3:57; B-Diffley (interference) 3:57; M-Murphy (slashing) 12:40.

Shots on Goal: Burlington 9-14-5-28 Melrose 4-5-5-14

Goalies (saves): B-DeCastro (14) M-Marshall (23)



Wreslting

Wakefield 28 Burlington 16

103 Steve Giampapa (B) 10-1 Tyler Zolud

112 Ben Spicer (W) 15-2 Andy Hubbard

119 Mike Arangio (W) Forfeit

125 No Contest

130 No Contest

135 Mark Welsch (B) WBF 1:47 Brian O'Callahan

140 Brendan Perry (W) WBF :37 Munish Gandevia

145 Matt Attaya (W) WBF 3:36 Dave Swiniarksi

152 Tom Winsor (W) Forfeit

160 Luke Nigro (B) 6-0 John Callhan

171 No Contest

189 No Contest

215 AJ Lee (B) 1-0 Zack Allard

285 No Contest

Burlington is now 1-23