Winchester Boys' Hockey Team Edged in Shootout By Burlington

There's a high possibility that the Winchester High School boys' hockey team will be back in the North Division 1 title game. But that was no consolation for coach Matt Spang on Monday night.

The Sachems knotted the score in the third period on a Nolan Redler tally but eventually fell, 2-1, after being outscored in a shootout by a 3-1 margin on the ice of Lowell's Tsongas Center.

As a result, Winchester was eliminated while Burlington moved on to play Sunday for a second straight state championship.

The good news for the Sachems is that the team loses just two seniors, and the future is seemingly bright. Spang, however, wasn't quite ready to look towards next year.

"That's for another day. Right now I have 22 heartbroken kids in there and my heart goes out for them. I feel for them," said Spang. "It was a very good high school hockey game. I don't think anyone on either side has anything left. I couldn't be prouder of my guys. There's not one thing we left in that locker room. It's all out there on the ice. I'm so proud to be their coach and forever grateful for everything they gave us tonight."