The boys and girls high school hockey teams had their playoff runs cut down this weekend, with the girls team losing 3-0 to Algonquin on Saturday and the boys losing 6-3 to Ashland on Sunday. 

The girls team was coming off a thrilling double-overtime win against Dedham on Thursday and the boys had blanked Greenfield in the first round, winning 10-0. 

But their second round opponents proved too powerful. 

Ashland scored two early goals. — Jonathan Fleischmann

“We hung in there but the speed and physicality of Algonquin just wore us down,” girls coach Geoghan Coogan said after the game. “They are a very talented and deep team.”

Despite the loss, Mr. Coogan tipped his hat to his senior goaltender Rebecca Mandelli, who had 36 saves on 39 shots. 

“We’ve come a long way as a program and really grinded out games this season,” Mr. Coogan said. “Our lack of depth definitely hurt us in the end. Very proud of the way the girls came to play this season and the future is definitely bright.” 

The boys team got in a hole early. Ashland scored a goal on its first shot only a few seconds in the game, and netted a second goal within three minutes. 

The team was able to level things up, with goals by Will Baliunas – his first high school goal – and Hunter Johnson. 

But Ashland powered back, scoring three goals in the second period.

“They just outplayed us in areas of the game,” said coach Matt Mincone. “Unfortunately, it ends the season.”

Chase Toomey was able to net a third goal for the Vineyarders, edging the score closer. But it wasn’t enough and Ashland later scored an empty netter, taking the score to 6-3.

“It was a good season in the big picture,” Mr. Mincone said. “We ran into a tougher Ashland, a few things didn’t go our way.”