'For the town': Winthrop boys hockey motivated in Div. 4 championship by community support
BOSTON -- "For the town."
The words were sprawled across shirts worn by fans in the stands of TD Garden as No. 5 Winthrop defeated No. 6 Dedham, 3-0, in the MIAA Div. 4 boys hockey state championship.
The phrase served as a mantra to the Vikings throughout their tournament journey and was major motivation for the team Sunday morning.
Winthrop entered the season coming off a heartbreaking loss in the Final Four last season and was determined to make it back -- but change their fate.
"Everyone doubted us from the beginning, and we shut them all down," said senior forward Michael Holgersen. "We've had ups and downs throughout the year, but we got there."
The Vikings' playoff run included topping competitive programs like No. 4 Littleton and top-seeded Stoneham. All that was left to conquer was the title.
After a scoreless first period, Dedham nearly got on the board first. After referees utilized new video review to check the play, they ultimately called it a no-goal.
Winthrop used that moment to propel into the lead. Soon after the play review, Holgersen tucked the puck behind Dedham goalie Noel Adams to go up 1-0 in the second period.
"That was huge because (Dedham) is upset, you got to get after it right away," said Winthrop head coach Dale Dunbar.
Holgersen's night wasn't over, as he scored for a second and third time in the final period, the goals coming within a minute of one another.
Hats flew into the air and onto the ice as the Winthrop crowd erupted after the third goal, completing a natural hat trick.
"it's just crazy, I never thought a hat trick at the TD Garden would happen," Holgersen said.
The senior's hat trick along with Winthrop goalie Michael Donahue securing a shutout was the successful combination Winthrop needed to take the title it was on a mission to take since last season.
The moment left Dunbar speechless, as he searched for the words to describe the feeling in the aftermath of the game.
"When we come over this bridge, oh it's going to be insane," Dunbar said of the community response. "I've dreamt of it, believe it or not I have. It's everybody, it's a village. That's what Winthrop is."
This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Winthrop's Holgerson notches hat trick in Div. 4 state championship
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