Island U-10 Squirts finish second

Youth hockey Squirts fall to Arlington in state championship

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The U10 girls hockey team lost to Arlington in the state finals. — Courtesy Tracy Malowski

The Martha’s Vineyard Youth Hockey U-10 White Squirts rebounded from early tournament trouble to play for the U-10 state championship last Sunday afternoon, eventually falling 1-0 on a late goal by an Arlington U-10 team. The Island team took second place in the state in their final game of the season.

In the opening round of the state championships on Friday afternoon in West Springfield, the Island U-10 Whites lost 3-1 to eventual champs Arlington. MV’s Izzy Blake scored the first of her three tournament goals in that game.

On Saturday and Sunday, the MV Whites beat Duxbury 4-1, then reeled off consecutive victories against Needham (5-0) and Andover (1-0) to to reach the title game behind the goaltending of Bailen Darack.

The title game was a nail-biter with Arlington scoring the winner with three minutes left in the contest. The Squirts scored an apparent go-ahead goal in the second period but the tally was waved off by game officials, leaving a scoreless duel.

In addition to Izzy Blake, MV Squirts tournament scorers included Abby Geary, Reese Malowski, Maddison Leonard and Emily Coogan. The Island team was representing District 5 of statewide U-10 play.