This story originally ran in The Standard-Times on Dec. 22, 2002.

By Nick Tavares
Standard-Times correspondent

NEW BEDFORD -- Playing on their home ice, the New Bedford Whalers were determined to successfully defend their two-year hold on the Michael J. Silva Cup.

But as gritty as the Whalers were, Bishop Stang was able to hold off their attack en route to a 3-2 win in the final of the New Bedford Christmas Tournament.

"I thought we came out strong in the third period," said Stang head coach Tim Drew. "I thought we took the play to them a little bit, and eventually, were able to poke one in there."

Going into the third period tied at 1-1, freshman forward Derrick Vertentes found the back of the net giving the Whalers (1-2) a 2-1 advantage, but 43 seconds later, it was Cam McGowan scoring his second goal of the game from Jacob Johnson to tie it up.

With five minutes remaining, Stang's Drew Gore scored from Casey Allen for what would prove to be the winning goal.

"It got a little more physical in the third period," said coach Drew. "Both teams came out and wanted it, and we got the break and put one in the net and held on to win."

Despite the loss, New Bedford head coach John Sullivan was pleased with his team's level of play on the ice.

"We've played three games this season," said Sullivan "and I'd have to say that this is the best effort that we've gotten out of our team. We outshot them, which is what we were looking to do, but they kept coming at us with three lines. They have three even lines that just keep coming at you."

New Bedford goalie Ryan Santos stood in front of 31 shots from the Spartans and kept the Whalers in the game with his play.

"Ryan Santos played an unbelievable game in net," said Sullivan. "Out of those 31 shots, I'd say a good 20-25 were testers."

The first period saw New Bedford appear to take a 1-0 lead with 6:16 to go, when Mike Winterson scored off of a rebound, but the goal was disallowed by the officials and the period ended scoreless.

Stang (2-0) took a two-man advantage at the 9:49 mark of the second period for a full 1:30, but couldn't capitalize until after the power play, when Billy Rocha fed the puck to Cam McGowan at the right face-off circle in the New Bedford zone. McGowan then bounced it over goalie Ryan Santos' pads for a 1-0 lead.

New Bedford tied it back up at 1-1 with 2:15 left to play in the period, when Chris Flood banged in a power-play goal in the front of the net.

Coach Drew was more than happy to ring in the holidays with the tournament win.

"We're 2-0 ,and it's the first time we've won this tournament," said Drew "and it's the first time we've beaten New Bedford High so that's nice. It's gonna be a good Christmas!"

Before the game, Dartmouth and GNB Voc-Tech played a solid game in the consolation match-up with the Indians breaking a 1-1 deadlock in the third period with a goal from Collin Carmo with 12:42 left in the period.

Carmo added another goal two minutes later from Pat Galligan, and with 48 seconds left to play, Galligan went in alone and put in a goal of his own sealing the 4-1 win for Dartmouth (1-1-1).

"It's always nice to get the first win," said Dartmouth head coach Mike Cappello. "There's a happy group in that locker room, and they came through in the third period when we needed them to."

"The kids are improving," said Voc-Tech head coach Ed Silva. "It was a tough third period, and I can't say enough about (goalie) Jason Rocha."

Rocha stopped 25 of 29 shots for the Bears (0-3), while Dartmouth's Luke Velho was solid again in net, stopping 23 of 24.

This story appeared on Page E9 of The Standard-Times on Dec. 22, 2002.