March Madness at any level of athletic competition and in every sport is a cruel event in that for every team that gets to compete, their season ends on a losing note, save of course, for the one and only championship team.
However, as bittersweet as a tourney defeat can be, it does not diminish what is an otherwise successful season for those who compete, and that is especially true of our Winthrop High boys hockey team, which made it to the finals of the Division 2 North sectionals before being eliminated Monday night.
Coach Dale Dunbar and his crew enjoyed an immensely successful regular season and then saved their best for last, reeling off three straight tourney victories, all by shutouts, including a 1-0 win over the No. 2 seed, Boston Latin.
The Vikings were a credit to their school, their families, and their community not only because of their hockey prowess, but also because of the sportsmanlike manner in which they conducted themselves both on and off the ice, a reflection of their coach, who is a class act in every respect.
We know we join with all of our fellow residents in offering a hearty “Congratulations†to the 2011-12 Viking hockey team and in thanking them for what was an exciting season for hockey fans of all ages.