HAMILTON — Anyone who believes the true worth of a team can be measured in wins and losses hasn't had the privilege of watching the Pingree school icemen in action.
An unfortunately familiar scenario played out in Pingree's final home game of the season on Saturday with the Highlanders tying the game late, only to fall 4-3 at the hands of Worcester Academy. However, the real story of Saturday's events had nothing to do with the final score. What this weekend's game meant to Pingree parents and players alike can be gleaned from how the Highlanders fought for each other and for something far greater than the game of hockey.
Donning specially made white sweaters and socks with pink stitching (paid for by a Pingree parent), the Highlanders honored the fight against breast cancer before and during the game with a fundraiser for cancer research that included a raffle, bake sale and donations table.
The event began with a special pregame dedication to assistant coach Gino Khachadourian, who lost his mother to cancer earlier in the year.
"Gino is a great guy and a great coach. He would do anything for us," senior co-captain Nate Soter said. "He had a tough loss, and I think this season helped him move along. I hope (Saturday night) it helped him as much as he helps us."
Co-captain Conor Clement also spoke about what the night meant to the entire team and the senior class in particular.
"It's Senior Night, and I think what we did made it that much more special for the seniors and all we've done this season," Clement said.
Pingree, which dropped to 9-16-2, has been on the wrong side of nine one-goal games this season, and this past weekend was no different. A veteran coach like Buddy Taft knows that as much positive reinforcement wins can bring, sometimes lessons learned in losses can be equally as valuable.
"They've been a great group, very loyal and very supportive of each other and of the program," Taft said of the senior class. "They've worked hard to improve every game, but the most important thing is the loyalty and what they've shown to the school and to the team."
Along with Clement and Soter, Pingree is led by its two senior goalies who together exemplify that unwavering loyalty spoken of by Taft. Both Dan Prawdzik and Scott Caradonna have played equal time between the pipes, and both have come up huge. The taller, leaner Prawdzik earned a 46-save shutout win over Brewster earlier this year while the smaller, more aggressive Caradonna had a season-high 48 saves in a loss to Belmont Hill.
"(Caradonna) is smaller but very quick. He's really become a very competitive goalie who understands he has to compete for every shot," Taft said. "Danny has learned his game and learned his craft very well. He's taller and has to play more stand-up. He's flawless in his angles, the only shots that beat him are tipped shots."
Both Danvers natives, Clement and Soter offer more silent but stern leadership in lead-by-example roles. Soter lets his play speak for itself, and it's always speaking volumes. He plays fast and fearless with high-level stick skills and a relentless motor while Clement, a defenseman, is the epitome of reliability at the blue line. He isn't overly imposing, but Clement can throw his weight around with the best of them, and his consistent clearing ability makes him the model defenseman.
On the back line with Soter are juniors Nick Antenucci and Max Goldstein, freshman Zach Malatesta, and senior Sam Cregg. Playing a minor role last year, Cregg, a golfer in the fall, stepped into his larger part as a starting defensemen this year, and the Topsfield native has shined. After taking a hard slapper to the back of the leg early in the first period Saturday, Cregg gutted it out and even had a spectacular assist on Pingree's first goal of the game. Cregg banked a pass off the boards in the neutral zone to a streaking Nolan Redler, and the freshman forward roofed the puck over the glove of the Worcester goalie for his first of two goals on the night.
"Of all our densemen, he (Cregg) might have the best vision," Taft said. "He's a golfer, so he takes a lot of his golf skill into the game of hockey as far as the thinking part of it goes. He's very calm out there."
The rest of the Pingree seniors are forwards, and they're all strong skaters who produce as much through effort as they do with skill. Matt Mattie (North Andover), who was a bit on the timid side as a freshman, has grown into a sound, intimidating hockey player through time in the weight room. With a growth in mass also came a growth in knowledge, as over the years Mattie has worked tirelessly to become one of the Highlanders top defensive forwards.
Rounding out Pingree's elders are Mike White (Georgetown) and Kevin Mazzeo (Gloucester). An undersized centerman, White is one of the Highlanders top penalty-killers and constantly impresses Taft with his abilities on the back check and in the defensive zone. Mazzeo is the team's "spark plug," according to Taft, who "is always flying and hitting everything in sight."
Malatesta was the other Pingree goal scorer in the loss, and while the total amount of money raised for the fight against cancer is still being calculated, the night was a roaring success and one the entire senior class will remember for the rest of their lives.
"It meant a lot. It's been a great four years, and I think we all would do anything for each other," Soter said.
