Wilmington Wildcats

Wildcats Ready to Fight Adversity On Ice

Variety of items could derail WHS early on, but team still eyes playoff berth.

For decades, it’s been the Wilmington boys hockey team cruising to wins and sailing into the Division 2 postseason. But this year, if the Wildcats hope to continue their perennial dominance, they’ll have to weather an early storm. December will be a challenging month for head coach Steve Scanlon’s charges for a host of reasons. First, the school’s move to the Middlesex League brings with it stronger competition than previous endeavors in the Cape Ann League. The team opens up its campaign Wednesday night against Woburn, which earned a spot in the Super 8 postseason last year. Puck drops at 8 p.m. inside Ristuccia Arena. But in addition to a daunting schedule, Wilmington also faces a different set of challenges. Senior captain Dalton Rolli …

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Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today, Nov. 18

Jack Maguire honored at State House today.

"Five Things you Need to Know Today" is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. Check back later for more, and let us know what you think of the new feature in the comments section. 1. Temperatures won't be blazing to close out the week in Wilmington, but the sun will be out and rains will stay away. According to Weather.com, temperatures will reach 48° before the day is out. There is a zero percent chance of rain and there will be sunny skies throughout. 2. Slain Wilmington resident Jack Maguire, who was killed in action with the Woburn Police Department, will be presented a Hanna Medal of Honor Friday at 28th Annual Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery. Check back Friday …

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Then and Now

Then and Now: Ristuccia Arena and the Stanley Cup

History and hockey go hand in hand.

Sometimes history happens and things here in town change right before our very eyes. As any true Bruins fan knows, on June 15, 2011, the team made history by winning their first Stanley Cup since 1972.    After a long thirty nine years of waiting Bruins fans all over the Boston area were finally able to celebrate the Stanley Cup’s return. Nowhere, however, was that win more significant there here in Wilmington, the home of Ristuccia Arena. Founded in 1986, Ristuccia Arena has long been used as The Boston Bruins Practice Facility. We here in town have a special relationship with the team and practices are always a fun family event. Players are well known for signing autographs and taking a special interest in the town’s youth. Today, …

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Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today, Oct. 11

Several meetings take place on Tuesday.

"Five Things you Need to Know Today" is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. Check back later for more, and let us know what you think of the new feature in the comments section. 1. After a long weekend worth of blistering temperatures by fall standards, things will cool down a bit on Tuesday. According to Weather.com, temperatures will dip down to 69°, still not bad for an October day. There's a mix of sunny and partly cloudy skies on the docket during the day with only a 10 percent chance of rain. 2. The Friends of Field Hockey group is slated to meet on Tuesday night. The parent support group for the Wilmington High School team gathers at 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. 3. Also in action …

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Coming Soon: Champions on Ice

The Stanley Cup winning Boston Bruins return to Ristuccia Arena in September.

It seems like just yesterday that Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara was skating over, putting his hands on Lord Stanley's Cup and hoisting it high in the air above his 6'9" frame. And now, after a whirlwind summer, the black and gold are coming back to Wilmington. The team announced its full preseason schedule on Tuesday, and many of the dates include sessions on the ice of Ristuccia Arena. Here's a complete look at all local practices:

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VIDEO: Bruins Wrap Up Development Camp at Ristuccia Arena

Team officials were in town to watch young players for nearly a week.

The Boston Bruins welcomes 2011 draft picks and other promising young players to Ristuccia Arena for the annual developmental camp. Though there were no big name current Bruins at the camp, General Manager Peter Chiarelli, head coach Claude Julien and former Bruin Don Sweeny were among the representatives in attendance. Boston returns to Ristuccia in September for its full training camp.

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VIDEO: A Pair of Locals Provide Game 7 Predictions

Let us know who will win tonight in the comments section.

The Boston Bruins play one of the biggest games in franchise history Wednesday night as they battle the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final. Here's a pair of predictions from local sports gurus. Let us know in the comments section who you think will win tonight, what the score will be and why!

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Where in Wilmington?

We Brought You Our Latest Mystery Location on Ice

Were you able to track us down?

In honor of the Boston Bruins' run to the Stanley Cup Final, we brought you to a location with NHL ties for our latest 'Where in Wilmington?' Be sure to check back for a new mystery location every Friday.

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Mustangs Gallop Passed Wildcats 6-1

Wilmington lost to Medford last night 6-1.

The Wilmington High School's girls ice-hockey team took a big hit on Wednesday, losing 6-1 to Medford at Ristuccia Arena. Forward Chloe Castellano scored the lone goal for the Wildcats, who fall to 1-1 in the season after taking a 4-2 win on the road against Martha's Vineyard on Dec. 10. Wilmington quickly dug itself a hole after it fell behind early when goalkeeper Bridget Santos allowed three scores in the first four and a half minutes of play. The first came from a loop around from behind the net that a Medford player dropped in, followed 10 seconds later by a score after some confusion in the crease. Shortly after, Medford managed to sneak one by Santos from the high post. Despite the three-goal deficit, the Wildcats did not let it …

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