Mite Elite's Battle for Championship

Saugus Lynnfield’s Mite Elite team had an exciting run in the Valley Hockey Mite Elite League this year.  They began the season in the Valley’s inaugural half ice league with an impressive undefeated season of 14 – 0 – 1.  Then they entered the full ice season and finished 3rd in their elite league at 6 – 4 before entering the playoffs.  In the playoffs the Mite Elite put on an exciting run with some nail bitters that left you on the edge of your seats. 

They began the playoffs with playing Wellesley by defeating them 3 to 2, and the “Cam Show” was the reason why.  Lynnfield’s own Cam Marengi had two beautiful one time goals in the slot to put the Stars up 2 to 0.  However, Wellesley never gave in and tied it up on the Stars sending it to the third.  Then, Saugus native, Cam Anderson netted the game winner just about half way through the third.   Stellar defense by Lynnfield’s Matt Papagikos and Lucas Cook kept Wellesley at bay and locked down the one goal lead to give the Stars their quarter finals victory. 

The semifinals gave what is sure to be a memory the players will never forget against Belmont.  Lynnfield’s Drew Carney and Saugus’ Chris Giordano were pestering Belmont all game with terrific pressure and back checking.  With the game tied at 1 in the third Belmont took the lead with only 1 minute and 47 seconds left to play.  That was when the Damiani brothers took control.  15 seconds after the Belmont goal, Lynnfield’s Drew Damiani took the puck from the face off and darted around the Belmont defenders and stuffed a five-hole goal to tie the game up and to send the game into overtime.    In overtime Lynnfield’s goalie, Dylan Damiani stood on his head fending off chance after chance that Belmont had and brought the game to a shootout where he proceeded to blank Belmont on all their shootout opportunities and single handedly lead the Stars to the championship.

In the finals, the Stars took on a very fast skating high powered Winchester team.  They came out with a bang going up 2 to 0.  Lynnfield’s Nick Lucich got the scoring going with a hard earned goal around the net.  He then set up Lynnfield’s Dominic Miceli with a beautiful pass in which Dominic roofed to make it 2 to 0.  With the tenacious effort of Lynnfield’s Jack Carpenter it looked like the Stars were going to come out as champions.  However, Winchester never gave in, and kept skating their hearts out.  A few unlucky bounces for Lynnfield got Winchester back in the game and eventually gave them the lead that they would never relinquish. 

Saugus resident and head coach, Gary Giordano praised the effort of his squad throughout the entire year, and let them know that without their hard work and determination they would have never gotten to the Valley League’s mite elite championship game.  Assistant coaches, and Lynnfield residents, Jonathan Cook, Tom Carney, and Darren Damiani, also praised the effort of the boys.  Overall, it was a very exciting season, and the towns of Saugus and Lynnfield should be proud of the boys’ accomplishments.