EPHS Hockey to Play in Division II Playoffs

The East Providence High School Hockey team will be starting Division II playoffs on March 14th at a place and against a yet to be determined opponent. The Townies have been rewarded for winning two state division championships in three years by moving up to Division II from Division III. The Townies finished in 6th place with a 6-10 record and played against some strong teams they hadn't seen in awhile. EP defeated Tollgate and Pilgrim twice in February. They lost to North Smithfield, Narragansett and South Kingstown. EP celebrated Senior Night at Lynch Arena Friday February 27, as they defeated always tough Toll Gate 4-2. "Jared Estrella scored twice, Andrew Gordon and Tyler Maxwell tallied our other goals," said Head Coach Kevin Croke. "Maxwell also had an assist and Ryan Costa picked up a pair of assists to improve his league leading total to 25 on the season. Kyle Marquis also had 2 assists. Brynne Costa and Bubba Maxwell each had assists for us as well," said coach Croke. Marc LaValley turned away 35 of 36 shots, and Antonio DaSimas made a couple of saves on 3 shots. Estrella's second goal of the night was the 100th point recorded in his high school career.

"After a bruising two months of hockey, it appears a few snow days, game cancellations and a bye week mixed in are just what the Hockey Gods ordered," exclaimed the playoff bound hockey coach. In the first game for the Townies in almost three weeks with all the snow cancellations, EP had an impressive win over Pilgrim High. "We had contributions from every member of the team, as we played well in a a 10-2 win. Senior Wing, James Carlson, played perhaps the finest game of his high school career," added coach Croke. The Townies wrap up their regular season Saturday March 7th at 7pm versus East Greenwich at Cranston Veterans Memorial Ice Rink before the playoffs.