BOSTON — If you thought Sunday’s 9 a.m. puck-drop would quiet down the student-sections – green shirts and shamrocks included – think again.
When it came to the Division 4 boys hockey state championship game, there wasn’t much separating the two sides as No. 5 Winthrop and No. 6 Dedham entered with 15 wins apiece and rankings just one spot apart.
Three periods later, it was still close, but Winthrop captured its first state title since 1976 with a 3-0 win. Senior captain Michael Holgersen (21 goals) polished off his career with a shower of hats coming his way, scoring all three Winthrop goals.
“I couldn’t be more proud of these kids,” said Winthrop Coach Dale Dunbar, whose group began 0-2 in the regular season. “You know, they weren’t given much of a chance and last year’s team was supposed to be the team. They listened and they sacrificed.”
Call it a roller-coaster, March Madness, or something else, but the second period was all of the above, beginning when Dedham appeared to score the first goal of the game with 13:51 on the clock.
But upon further review, the officiating team found the puck hit the post and never crossed the goal-line.
“I knew it was a no-goal. I’m glad they have video,” Dunbar said.
Just 19 seconds later, Winthrop’s Philip Boncore found Holgersen for a cross-crease goal. The captain-to-captain connection was good for a 1-0 Vikings’ lead.
“But then, to respond like that and get the lead, that was huge because they’re upset and you’ve got to get after it right away,” Dunbar said.
Holgersen’s goal completed the scoring after two periods, with each side sending 17 shots toward the opposition. Winthrop goalie Michael Donahue brought his A-game, saving multiple point-blank shots from the slot.
“Honestly, I love the pressure and it makes me play better,” Donahue said. “You’ve just got to relax and stay calm.”
After another strong save from Donahue with 4:06 remaining in the third period, Winthrop needed some offense to seal it. Holgersen obliged, scoring a power-play goal before netting an empty-netter from long distance.
With hats flying above his head, Holgersen skated to the bench for a team hug.
“It’s just crazy and I never thought this would come,” Holgersen said. “I never thought a hat-trick in the TD Garden would happen. It’s to my team around me – I thank all of them.”
As for Dedham, after its first title game in program history, Coach Dan Panciocco said his group “just couldn’t generate” enough chances.
“I’m proud of these guys,” he said. “Winthrop deserved it and outplayed us. I told the boys to keep their heads up.”
Winthrop’s previous state title came through a 4-1 win against Springfield Cathedral 49 years ago, but after Sunday morning, another joined the club – much to the excitement of Dunbar and company.
“It’s a village,” Dunbar said. “That’s what Winthrop is.”
