THE MASS MAPLE LEAFS WIN THEIR 5TH CHAMPIONSHIP >
THE MASS MAPLE LEAFS WIN THEIR 5TH CHAMPIONSHIP
The Mass Maple Leafs Junior Hockey Club traveled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for the
Continental Hockey Association League Playoff Championships. The Leafs were ranked the #1
seed with a 35-1 record and had to take on Metro Moose from Staten Island, New York, the
Pittsburgh Junior Penguins of Pittsburgh and the East Coast Eagles from Raleigh, NC.
The Leafs took on the Moose first directly after driving all night then getting off the bus. The
Leafs didn’t have bus legs at all and defeated them by the score of 12-1. The Leafs were led by
Justin Howarth’s hat trick along with Ilester Little and Jason Alera who both had a goal and three
assists.
The Leafs then had to wake up for a 7am game to take on the Junior Penguins. The Leafs took a
little time to wake up but when they did they disposed of the Pens by the score of 5-1. The Leafs
were led by Nick Smola who had a goal and an assist. Other Leafs who picked up a tally in the
contest were Mike Rizzitano, Andrew Pontes, Ronnie Paiva, and Little.
The Leafs found out prior to playing their 3rd game that they had already clinched their spot in
the Championship game. This would make the 3rd consecutive year to accomplish this feat
after only two games. This accomplishment didn’t really change anything as they took on the
Eagles and defeated them by the score of 6-1 to complete their perfect 3-0 record of the round
robin playoffs. The Leafs were led by John Lessard who had two goals and an assist along with
line-mates Anthony Pellegrino’s three assists and Pontes goal and two assists.
Following the game, the Leafs then waited patiently to hear the announcements of player of the
year, coach of the year and to pick up their regular season championship. The Leafs left the
ceremonies with league championship in hand with a bitter taste in their mouth and a little fire in
their eyes.
The Leafs then took on the Junior Penguins in the League Championship final. The home team
didn’t disappoint as they gave the Leafs everything and more than they expected to try to
dethrone the Leafs. The Pens took the Leafs the full 60 minutes and it ended with score tied at 3-
3. The Leafs came out fired up in the extra frame and 4:47 into the overtime period Paiva scored
the game winner assisted by Alera. The Leafs then rushed into the Pens zone and had a huge
celebration as the disappointed Pens looked on. With that game winner Paiva was named
Playoff MVP.
The Leafs won their 5th Championship in ten years. The Leafs 39-1 league record surpassed
last years 35 win total by both their Premier and Selects team of last year. The Leafs were led in
scoring by Pontes who had 7 points followed by Lessard who had 6 points in the four game
series.
The Leafs now have a few days off to prepare for the Junior Nationals. The Nationals will be held
in Marlboro, Ma on March 25th-29th Stay tuned to the Leafs website www.massmapleleafs.com
to get further updates on the teams progress through Nationals.
The Mass Maple Leafs Junior Hockey Club traveled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for the
Continental Hockey Association League Playoff Championships. The Leafs were ranked the #1
seed with a 35-1 record and had to take on Metro Moose from Staten Island, New York, the
Pittsburgh Junior Penguins of Pittsburgh and the East Coast Eagles from Raleigh, NC.
The Leafs took on the Moose first directly after driving all night then getting off the bus. The
Leafs didn’t have bus legs at all and defeated them by the score of 12-1. The Leafs were led by
Justin Howarth’s hat trick along with Ilester Little and Jason Alera who both had a goal and three
assists.
The Leafs then had to wake up for a 7am game to take on the Junior Penguins. The Leafs took a
little time to wake up but when they did they disposed of the Pens by the score of 5-1. The Leafs
were led by Nick Smola who had a goal and an assist. Other Leafs who picked up a tally in the
contest were Mike Rizzitano, Andrew Pontes, Ronnie Paiva, and Little.
The Leafs found out prior to playing their 3rd game that they had already clinched their spot in
the Championship game. This would make the 3rd consecutive year to accomplish this feat
after only two games. This accomplishment didn’t really change anything as they took on the
Eagles and defeated them by the score of 6-1 to complete their perfect 3-0 record of the round
robin playoffs. The Leafs were led by John Lessard who had two goals and an assist along with
line-mates Anthony Pellegrino’s three assists and Pontes goal and two assists.
Following the game, the Leafs then waited patiently to hear the announcements of player of the
year, coach of the year and to pick up their regular season championship. The Leafs left the
ceremonies with league championship in hand with a bitter taste in their mouth and a little fire in
their eyes.
The Leafs then took on the Junior Penguins in the League Championship final. The home team
didn’t disappoint as they gave the Leafs everything and more than they expected to try to
dethrone the Leafs. The Pens took the Leafs the full 60 minutes and it ended with score tied at 3-
3. The Leafs came out fired up in the extra frame and 4:47 into the overtime period Paiva scored
the game winner assisted by Alera. The Leafs then rushed into the Pens zone and had a huge
celebration as the disappointed Pens looked on. With that game winner Paiva was named
Playoff MVP.
The Leafs won their 5th Championship in ten years. The Leafs 39-1 league record surpassed
last years 35 win total by both their Premier and Selects team of last year. The Leafs were led in
scoring by Pontes who had 7 points followed by Lessard who had 6 points in the four game
series.
The Leafs now have a few days off to prepare for the Junior Nationals. The Nationals will be held
in Marlboro, Ma on March 25th-29th Stay tuned to the Leafs website www.massmapleleafs.com
to get further updates on the teams progress through Nationals.
Massachusetts
Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs
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