Wakefield players, Domenic Bruno and Johnny Andrews, had a significant role in the title run
WAKEFIELD — The U18 Greater Boston Vipers captured the Massachusetts state hockey championship and two Wakefield players — Domenic Bruno and Johnny Andrews — were members of the squad.
The tournament the Vipers played in recently took place at the New England Sports Center in Marlboro with a total 10 qualifying teams participating in a very competitive round robin format with the top four final teams moving on to single game elimination.
The Vipers went 3-0 in round robin play and qualified as a high seed leading into the final rounds with some stellar individual and team performances. In the semifinals, the Vipers beat a very strong (Quincy 67 – CM players) team, 4-3, and moved onto beat the Whalers (Barnstable High), 6-5 in the championship game.
Both games were nail-biters and ended in overtime with the Vipers prevailing and winning the Mass. state championship.
Wakefield’s own Bruno and Andrews played significant roles in this year’s team success and contributed significantly to the Vipers winning this state title.
Bruno, a three-year varsity letterman and senior at Wakefield Memorial High is in his third year playing for the Greater Boston Vipers and immediately has made a strong contribution to the team. His “Boychuck-like” approach to each and every game on defense has enabled the Vipers to finish this year’s half season with 21 wins and three losses.
This year with the Vipers, Bruno earned four goals and 11 assists for 15 points and scored a huge goal on the power-play in the semifinals to help them win in overtime and advance to the final.
Bruno’s physical play and poise with the puck are just two of many positive skill sets that he possesses and he will certainly play a significant leadership role this year with the WMHS boys’ hockey team.
Andrews is an extremely talented player with soft hands and has continuously contributed on the stat sheets while averaging a minimum two points per game with the Vipers and finishing in the top three overall in points.
Andrews’ patience and vision continue to raise the eyebrows of junior scouts as a highly recommended prospect throughout the hockey community. This year, as a senior captain with Matignon, he will once again be competing for the high school state scoring title and looks forward to a great senior season.
The Vipers will now break for the upcoming high school season and will resume play in the spring as they will be traveling to participate in the national championship series in Troy, Mich. from March 26-30, 2015.
This season was a true testament of a group of young men recognizing and finding the ultimate “will to win.” Each and every player elevated their level of play and sacrificed themselves for the common goal of the team. It was an amazing half season and coach Scot Somerville could not be more proud of Andrews and Bruno and all the Vipers players.