Danvers Peewee A’s shut out Andover 1 - 0

The Falcons are back on top and back to their winning ways. After playing two periods of scoreless hockey, Derek Witwicki poked home the loose puck in the crease for the team’s only score and the eventual game winner. Kyle Larson earned the assist as his shot on net was just stopped short of the goal line before Witwicki banged it home behind the Andover net minder. Mike Allain was perfect in net shutting knocking down 9 shots including a breakaway in the middle period to rob Andover of a goal.

It was a physical game with solid checking from the Falcon skaters. Pat McBride laid down a solid fore check in the offensive zone to take the puck away while Brad Vautour provided the muscle in the corners out playing a strong Andover team. Joe Szela demonstrated a pesky back checking attack to slow the opponents down. And Zach Ryan was noted for his crushing check against the boards to erase a streaking Warrior skater allowing defensive line mate Dan Arnold to take possession of the puck; the Falcons played tremendous team hockey.

The Falcons, despite the score, were controlling the tempo of the game while outplaying the Warriors on both ends of the ice. Danvers exhibited some great passing plays. Will Walfield opened the game with a fantastic shift using his elusive speed and making a move inside to draw an Andover tripping penalty. Larson followed that with a strong play wheeling and circling in front to let off a wrist shot that appeared to find the lower corner of the net only to be waived off by the referee as no goal. Taylor Brown centered Walfield moments later from the blue line for another shot on net.

Luke Sutherland and Tom Conway played a strong defense denying Andover any opportunity. DJ Yost (aka Troy Brown) also jumped in to play a period of defense looking sharp in his new position. Kevin St. Pierre was solid on defense making several noteworthy plays. As the team entered the final period of play the action was intense as the game was up for grabs. Jason Carucci did his best as he beat the Andover defense to the corner to let off a vicious wrist shot on net that was deflected just wide. Chris Kontos, Yost and Vautour were very physical in the corners taking every opportunity to lay down a check. Conway managed a slap shot from the point that Szela attempted to redirect but that went wide. The Falcons showed what they were made of as they played the last two minutes short handed with some fine penalty killing from Vautour, Larson, Conway and Ryan to secure the win.

The Peewee A Falcons will go to Springfield this week end to fight for the Massachusetts Peewee State championship. You can follow the team on www.pwapride.com.