PIONEER VALLEY LIGHTENING MIDGETS WIN MASSACHUSETTS TIER III STATE TITLE

Backed by the solid goaltending of Steven DeMont and Steven Fiedler the PVL Midget hockey team completed an undefeated weekend, winning the MassachusettsTierIIIState Title. The tournament, played in Pembroke, MA featured the 10 best Midget Tier III teams in the state. With wins over Waltham and Norwood and a tie with WHK (Whitman/Hanson/Kingston) in the qualifying round, PVL had a Sunday morning date with Needham in the semi-finals. After defeating Needham 5 - 1, PVL’s next opponent was a rematch with WHK (Whitman/Hanson/Kingston) in the finals. In a thrilling game, PVL defeated WHK 2 – 1 on a Kevin Wheeler goal.

During the 4 win, 1 tie weekend, PVL scored 20 goals while giving up only 7. The defense was led by Dan Gallagher, Kevin Green, Bobby Johnson, Kevin Mackin and Antonios Pitaridis. The offense got excellent play from: Mike Gruska, Ryan Magni, Tom Matroni, Gene Meunier, Nick Planzo, Peter Schofield and Kevin Wheeler. The team is coached by: Jack Demont and Jim Matroni. The PVL Midget team qualified for the State Tournament by winning the District #6 (Western Mass.) Tier III Midget Tournament in October.