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On March 16-19, 2006, the Woodbridge
Wolfpack Squirt ice hockey team participated
in the Can/Am Challenge Cup in Lake Placid,
New York. Woodbridge's opponents in the
Calgary Division included the Bristol
Blazers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; the
Remark Majors from Guelph, Ontario and the
SWS Chiefs from Fall River, Massachusetts.
The Wolfpack opened the competition with a
thrilling 3-2 victory over the Blazers on
Thursday night in the 1932 Olympic rink.
Michael Campione led the attack with two
goals, and his linemates Danny Letso and
Austin Pencinger picked up two assists
apiece. Chase Fee also scored in front
of stingy defense by Stephen Della Fera and
John Bomberry. The Wolfpack knotted up the
Canadians 3-3 on Friday morning in Saranac
Lake on a dramatic goal by Matthew Durnya
with 37 seconds left to play. Campione
picked up his third goal of the tournament
in that match and Evan Samer netted his
first to back up brilliant goaltending by
Aaron Seguine. On Saturday morning against
the Chiefs, Woodbridge got two more goals
from the red hot Campione and one each from
Fee and Samer to claw their way back from an
early 4-0 deficit to make the game 5-4 to
start the third period. But the
Massachusetts squad scored the only goal
that period and handed the Pack their first
loss. Later that day, Woodbridge needed at
least a tie in their rematch against the
Remark Majors to advance to Sunday's gold
medal game. And that is what they got.
Campione netted his sixth goal of the
weekend and Durnya and Samer again lit the
lamp. Coupled with the stifling defense of
Matthew Ciliberto and Matthew "Botz"
Carbotti, that was good enough for another
3-3 tie and a trip back to the 1932 rink for
a shot at gold on Sunday. There, the
Wolfpack again met the Blazers, who no doubt
were looking to avenge their opening night
loss. Woodbridge gave it all that they had,
but Chase Fee's lone goal was not enough to
overcome the Philly team, which won 4-1.
After the game, the Wolfpack left the ice
with their well-deserved silver medals
hanging from their necks and their heads
held high. Coach Brian Samer and his
assistant Richard Sheridan were very proud
of the team’s performance. “The boys have
come a long way since the start of the
season,” Samer noted. “They played their
hearts out and the team already is looking
forward to a return trip next year to bring
back the gold.” |