Sachems gallant in opening-round loss to Wilmington

WOBURN – The Saugus hockey team came into its Division 2 North opening-round game against Wilmington on Tuesday knowing that it would take a few bounces of the puck to help pull the upset.Well, the Sachems did get a couple of those needed bounces, but it was the reigning North champs who got the most important one. Dan Cushing’s second-period goal gave all-Cape Ann League goalie Zack Rosa a lead and his 10 stops were enough to give Wilmington the 1-0 win at O’Brien Rink.The No. 4 seed now advances to play No. 5 Tewksbury, a 5-1 winner over North Reading, on Friday (7) at Stoneham Arena in a rematch of last year’s North final won by the Wildcats in a shootout.But for a long time on Tuesday, Wilmington had to hold its breath as Saugus completed a two-season turnaround that put its program back on the map.”We were within striking distance in the third period and that’s all we could have asked for,” Saugus coach Chris Connors said. “They got the one bounce and capitalized.”Wilmington had by far the better chances in the game, outshooting the Sachems 27-10, but freshman goalie Nick Hegarty grew up before the packed house’s eyes.”Nicky was unbelievable between the pipes,” Connors said. “He made some acrobatic saves that were spectacular.”The well-played game, which saw only two penalties whistled the entire night, began with the Wildcats defense able to shut down the Sachems during the first period. But Saugus was able to match Wilmington’s intensity in the first period and kept the game scoreless heading to the first intermission.The Wildcats came out flying in the second, knocking Saugus back on its heels for the first time in the contest. Hegarty had to make a slick glove save on Kevin Flanagan’s chance in the first half-minute to keep the game scoreless.Wilmington continued to pressure and got a power play when Tom DiFraia was called for cross-checking during a goalmouth scramble. But the Sachems killed off that penalty.But just after the penalty, the Wildcats took advantage of another scramble to jump ahead.Jared Ravagni had a Sean Tavares rebound hop over his stick but defenseman Dan Cushing was cruising down the slot and blasted the rebound over Hegarty to give the Wildcats the 1-0 lead.”We made the one major mistake and (Cushing) made a great shot,” Connors said.After Cushing’s goal, the Sachems charged back and nearly tied the game late in the second but Rosa made a stick save on Kurt Rodrigues’ chance off a face-off.Hegarty was called on again in the third to keep Saugus alive, stuffing Ravagni twice at the top of the crease and then making a diving stop on Flanagan’s bid for an open net.Hegarty kept the Sachems alive but Rosa would be the one who turned out the lights, coming up with a pair of spectacular saves in the final minute and Saugus having pulled Hegarty for an extra attacker.”The puck was within inches of going in and forcing overtime,” Connors said. “I can’t say enough about the kids and the way they competed.”