The Vineyard boys hockey team earned a trip to the elite eight after their playoff win on Monday, defeating Bourne High School 5-2 on home ice.
The Vineyard jumped out to a quick lead in the first period, with right wing Ryan Heidt scoring the first goal with an assist from center Donnie Gregory.
Team captain Griffin Callahan scored the second goal in the first 30 seconds of the second period, with Peter Williamson and Jason Alton adding two more goals to end the second period up 4-1.
The third period saw Bourne looking to make a comeback, scoring early and then hammering away at the goal during a power play. Vineyard goalie Russell Coogan was pelted with pucks but held the line with save after save.
“It’s all about being completely centered with the puck…” Coogan said after the game. “It doesn’t matter where it is, you always keep your eye on it.”
The team said when the opponent pounds down on them in the defensive zone, they feel confident with Coogan in the goal.
“He’s a brick wall back there,” said defenseman Angus Cummings.
Down 4-2, Bourne pulled its goalie in the final minutes, which led to another Vineyard goal by Alton in the final 10 seconds of the game.
“Right after you score, just seeing your boys hype for you is the best feeling in the world,” Alton said.
In the quarterfinals, the team will face Littleton High School, the number two seed in the tournament. The game takes place Thursday, March 5 at 4 p.m. at the John A Ryan Arena in Watertown.
Littleton finished their regular season with a 19-1 record, and the Vineyard team said they are preparing by keeping a positive attitude and focusing on their own game.
“We know what’s ahead of us,” Callahan said. “We’re not going to get in our heads.”
This article appears in March 6, 2026.