16-03-2025
Behind a hat trick from Mike Holgerson, Winthrop claims the Division 4 boys' hockey state title
'I never thought a hat trick in TD Garden would happen,' said Holgersen. 'It's not on me, it's on my team around me that helped me get to this point.'
Dedham senior captain Brain Dunne appeared to break the ice 1:09 into the second period on a breakaway attempt. Initially ruled a goal, the
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Nineteen seconds later, Winthrop struck.
Senior captain Phil Boncore wheeled down the left side of the ice, connecting with a wide-open Holgersen on the back post for a tap-in.
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Michael Holgerson puts Winthrop ahead 1-0 on a far post feed from Philip Boncore 1:28 into 2nd period.
— Brendan Kurie (@BrendanKurie)
'We knew that we had to take advantage of that,' said Boncore, who finished the season with 28 points.
Holgersen made it 2-0 with 2:45 remaining, hammering home a feed in the slot from sophomore Joe Pumphret (32 points) on the power play.
Michael Holgersen's second tally of the day comes on the power play with 2:45 left in game and puts Winthrop ahead, 2-0. Assists from Paul Ferrara and Joe Pumphret.
— Brendan Kurie (@BrendanKurie)
With 2:08 left, Holgersen's empty netter – his 21st goal of the season – etched his name into the state history books as the 50th boys' hockey player to record a hat trick in the state final.
Holgersen, already a hero in the one-square mile oceanside town, signs autographs after games. Hockey is a way of life, with youth players and a fervent student section packing Larsen Rink on a regular basis.
'It feels so good,' said Donahue. 'You have random kids saying how they're going to the game and high-fiving you. It just pumps you up, makes you play better.'
Donahue dazzled, with his highlight being a left-shoulder stop on a rocket off the stick of Dedham senior Tim Holton with 4:06 left to preserve a one-goal advantage for Winthrop (16-6-2).
'Now I know what the guys are like when they hold the Stanley Cup, after they have no idea what to say,' said Winthrop coach Dale Dunbar, in his 19th season. 'I have no idea what to say. I'm so emotional.'
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Dedham (15-9-0) struggled to break Winthrop's one-man trap in the neutral zone. But getting to the Garden for the first time in program history has invigorated Dedham, led by second-year coach Dan Panciocco, a 1976 Dedham grad.
'The eight seniors have been the heart of this team all year,' said Panciocco. 'They've carried us all year. Today they tried their hardest, we just couldn't generate enough. Without them, we wouldn't be here.'
Photos from the game
The Winthrop boys' hockey team celebrates with its fans after winning the Division 4 state championship.
Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe
From left, Winthrop's Aiden Survilas, Dedham's Cam Keane, Dedham's Tim Holton, and Winthrop's Philip Boncore chase a loose puck.
Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe
Winthrop won its first state title since 1976.
Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe
Dedham's Tim Holton (top) battled Winthrop's Philip Boncore along the boards.
Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe
Winthrop was 16-6-2 this season.
Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe
Winthrop's Michael Holgersen (left) took on Dedham's Ben Bogie (top) and Tim Holton (bottom).
Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe
Cam Kerry can be reached at
