RallyNorth.net

Thu, Mar 13, 2014 05:30 PM @ Pinkerton

Team	1	2	3	Final
Londonderry	1	3	1	5
Pinkerton	0	1	0	1

Londonderry hockey advances to first title game in program history with win over Pinkerton

Thursday, March, 13 By David Willis
Staff writer

MANCHESTER — In two seasons on the varsity team, Londonderry senior Frank Wynters had never lit the lamp for a goal.

So when he jumped into the arms of a teammate to celebrate his second goal of the biggest victory in Londonderry hockey history, the exuberance was more than deserved.

“I never could have imagined this,” said Wynters. “I was screaming and just jumped onto the arms of (defenseman) Colby (Austin). Some people said the celebration was a little much, and that it looked like I had scored an overtime goal. But I couldn’t help it. It is just crazy.”

The Londonderry hockey team had plenty to celebrate yesterday.

Wynters’ two goals were just the start of an historic night for the No. 3 Lancers, who rolled over No. 7 archrival Pinkerton Academy 5-1 in the Division 1 state semifinals at the JFK Rink in Manchester.

The victory earned Londonderry hockey its first ever trip to the state title game since the program began play in 2000-01. The Lancers lost in the Division 1 semifinal a season ago.

“It is just crazy to imagine that,” said senior captain Eric Coburn, who added two goals. “When I was in eighth grade I think we won about four games. So to get this far and have the chance to get the team’s first title is unbelievable. I can’t even describe it. This is the best game I have ever been a part of.”

The Lancers will attempt to become the fifth hockey team in Eagle-Tribune area history to win a state title when they face No. 4 Manchester Central — which beat top-seeded St. Thomas last night — in the Division 1 title game on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester.

“It honestly doesn’t even feel real at this point,” said senior Curtis Harper. “When you want something this bad you will do anything to achieve it. We wanted this and we have an amazing group of guys. And to beat our rival on the way makes it even better. I can’t even imagine what the title game is going to be like.”

Wynters, a third-line forward who had just one assist on his scoring sheet this season, quickly established himself as the unlikely hero.

Just 5:15 into regulation, Wynters picked up the puck and broke in towards the net before being hauled down from behind by a Pinkerton defender.

The referee raised his hand to call a penalty, but before play could stop Wynters managed to slide the puck into the net from the ice.

“I honestly have no idea how that went in,” he said. “I was crashing the net and I think it bounced off of me. I was so excited I lost one of my gloves.”

Wynters’ day went from dream to unthinkable 2:31 into the second, when he struck again, this time redirecting a shot from Austin to make the score 2-0.

“There was a shot that bounced off the boards and went to Colby,” he remembered. “He took a shot and I was there to tip it home. I couldn’t believe it. I would have been happy just being out there.”

The Lancers added to their advantage 2:23 later when junior Lucas Poulin picked up a rebound in front and went five-hole on the Astros goalie to make it 3-0, his sixth tally of the season.

Coburn then continued the roll with 6:21 to go in the second, passing off to Harper, who slid the puck right back to Coburn for his 11th goal of the season.

Pinkerton broke the shutout late in the second, on a goal by Tyler Poore. But that momentum didn’t last long as Coburn notching his second of the day, and the prettiest score of the night, as he took the puck to the left of the net and sniped it over the goalie’s glove top left corner.

“Coburn has just carried this team the whole season,” said Poulin. “He does everything we could ask of him. We lost in the semis here last year and we remember how much that hurt. We weren’t going to let that happen again. We felt like we could do this, and Sunday should be even better.”

Senior stalwart Joe McGrath was a rock in net with 24 saves, including one amazing glove stop, and came up big when the Lancers managed to kill off a 5-on-3 powerplay.

Next up for the Lancers is a Manchester Central team that heads in 13-7. Londonderry beat Central 3-2 in the regular season, playing without an injured Harper, thanks to two goals for Cooper Roy.

“It really is beyond a dream,” said Wynters. “It’s going to be amazing. I can’t wait to get out onto the ice at the Verizon.”

Harper, for one, can’t wait for the experience.

“Two years ago we lost in the quarterfinals and last year in the semis and I was never going to go and watch the championship,” he said. “So I really don’t know what it’s going to be like. But I can’t wait to find out.”