Hockey loses heartbreaking Regional final

As the ice and snow thaw and the winter season comes to an end, so does high school hockey. The Milford Mavericks had an astonishing 2021/22 season, ending the regular season at 15-9.

As every sport goes, the Mavs had their ups and downs but finished the season with tenacity. The Mavs lost five out of their first six games, discouraging the team, but paving the way to a revenge tour. Not only did the Mavs win their first playoff game in half a decade, they made it all the way to the Regional Championship game against the Chelsea Bulldogs. The last time Milford made it all the way to the regional championship was 2007!.

This season was definitely one to remember, especially for the seven seniors who played their final season of high school hockey. And some who played their final game of organized hockey ever. Seniors Luke McIntyre, Adam Moule, Matt Rowe, James Pennebaker, Brenden Maszatics, Tucker Combs and Pierce Ashcroft have been on the team since freshman or sophomore year. They have led the team from never winning a playoff game to runner up in the Regional Final.

One thing that set the Mavs apart from every other team was “The Frozone.” The MHS student section lit up every game this season with hardcore fans even driving all the way out to Chelsea to support the team and of course “chirp” at players from other schools.

Senior and dedicated fan Nick Damon was there at every opportunity to support the team. His favorite game was against our rival, the Lakeland Eagles. “It’s a crazy, electric atmosphere– everything was 10/10.” Colorful posters and even cutouts of players’ heads were scattered throughout the stands while students fought for a spot against the glass to be as close to the action as possible. Every big hit, shot on goal, save and change of possession was cheered for at maximum volume. The team is playing to win, but they are also playing for the fans in the “Frozone”.

When asked what he will miss most about this season, Mack Musialowski, leading point scorer with an astonishing 29 goals in the regular season, stated that he will miss how well the team bonded this year. And with the loss of seven seniors this year, next year will have a focus on rebuilding that bond and chemistry throughout the lines.

“We still have some key pieces like Cooper (Goalie) and Clickett,” said Musialowski, referring to Cooper Langley and Jack Clickett.

Tucker Combs, who is a fan favorite on the ice, stated that his favorite memories of the season wasn’t winning– it was the moments with the team. “The team dinners the night before the game and locker room shenanigans with the boys was my favorite part of the season.”

The chemistry among teammates is an important part of hockey. In his four years playing hockey with Milford High School, captain Matt Rowe has learned, “selfish hockey is bad hockey”.

The Mavericks left it all out on the ice and put everything they had into this nail-biting championship game. Senior Luke McIntyre stated it was very back and forth, “definitely the toughest team we’ve played all year.” The team played their hearts out one last time but ended the season with a tough 9-5 loss that was inflated by late empty-net goals.

As the team walked off the ice to indulge in postgame orange slices, their frustration of losing was cut short by the realization that their season was over. It was a bittersweet ending to a successful hockey season. The team felt pride in knowing they were the best in decades, and they held their heads high knowing they made it further than any team from Milford has in a long time.