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Whitman-Hanson’s Uva scores lone South goal in Shriners All-Star Classic

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Alex Uva (No. 6) scored a late second-period goal. / Photo Credit: Twitter/@WHBoysHockey

Whitman-Hanson Regional High senior Alex Uva scored the only goal for the South team in Saturday’s boys’ hockey Shriners All-Star Classic.

Alex Uva provided a silver lining for the South team in a 10-1 loss to the North on Saturday in the Shiners All-Star Classic at the Canton Ice House.

With 44.5 seconds remaining in the second period, the Whitman-Hanson Regional High senior, who was an assistant captain on the boys’ hockey team, took a feed from Blue Hills’ Anthony Sarno and buried it home, bringing the South within 8-1.

“It felt great scoring a goal in the game,” Uva said. “It was a great way to finish my high school career.”

On Thursday, Uva was awarded the Charles P. Driscoll Community Service Award for his fundraising efforts for Shriners Hospital for Children.

“I want to send a special thank you to all who donated,” Uva said. “I was happy to be selected as an all-star and it was great to play in the game with all that talent.

“The best part of the experience was being recognized with the community service award. Raising money to save kids lives is what the game is all about.”

Uva a Shriners’ All-Star

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Photo by: Sue Moss

Alex Uva was one of 52 Massachusetts boys’ hockey players to be selected to play in the Shiners All-Star Classic, which will take place Saturday, March 31 at 4 p.m. at the Canton Ice House.

Whitman-Hanson Regional High senior, Alex Uva, will be capping off his high school hockey career at the 2018 Shriners All-Star Classic.

Uva was one of 52 Massachusetts boys’ hockey players to be selected to play in this event, which will take place Saturday, March 31 at 4 p.m. at the Canton Ice House. Uva, an assistant captain and four-year varsity player for the Panthers, said he was informed of the selection after a Jan. 24, 8-3, victory over Pembroke.

“We came out with a big win that day and after the game coach [Chris] Googins told me that I had been selected,” Uva said. “I was very proud and honored to be selected to the Shriners All-Star game. I thought of my teammates, too. I wouldn’t be in the position to be selected without them.”

Googins, who was the one to nominate Uva before he was selected by a committee, said in the two years he’s known Uva, his commitment at excellence, both in the classroom and on the rink, was unparalleled.

“His dedication as a student-athlete has been really noticeable,” Googins explained. “Just his passion and love for the game, along with his character is probably what stood out to me to nominate him. He’s a high-character kid and he’s very passionate about the game, and I respect that.”

Uva said he first began skating when he was 3 years old and shortly thereafter was playing competitively. He credits his father, Jeff, who is an assistant coach on the boys’ hockey team at Cardinal Spellman, for his success on the ice.

“Ever since I first put on my skates, I fell in love with the game,” Uva said. “My dad is my biggest hockey influence and he has taught me everything I know about the game. Without him, I wouldn’t have made it where I am today.”

DONATIONS

With the selection to the Shriners All-Star Classic comes an immense responsibility: raising money. The game is centered around generating proceeds to benefit the Shriners Hospital of Children. Uva is using the three standard options offered by Shriners to accept donations.

• The first option is a $75 donation to sponsor him. This donation comes with a polo shirt and two tickets to the game.

• The second option is a $30 donation to be a hockey patron — that gets your name in the program.

• Third, you can donate any amount ($2 minimum) and write Uva a short message wishing him the best of luck in the game.

If you are willing to donate, Uva can be reached at [email protected].

All checks, which should be written out to Shriners Hockey Classic, and donations must be in by Feb. 28.

MORE THAN A SHOWCASE

“The Shriners game means a lot to me,” Uva said. “Of course, it is great to be recognized as one of the top high school players in Massachusetts, but this is so much more than just a showcase. Being able to help raise money for such a great cause is something I take pride in.

“At the orientation, they showed videos of what patients go through at Shriners. The severe burns and other awful injuries these kids deal with makes you feel terrible. What really hit me was when they said that all the money we donate as a group can save a child’s life. I’m willing to go above and beyond in fundraising to be able to accomplish this goal.”

A win for Lori: Panthers erupt for five goals in third period to win one for Sawtelle

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WINNING FOR LORI: The W-H Panthers wore specially designed memorial jerseys for the Saturday, Jan. 6 Lori Sawtelle Memorial Game. / Photo by: Sue Moss

The Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ hockey team played with heavy hearts Saturday.

ROCKLAND – Saturday evening was Lori Sawtelle Night as the Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ hockey team honored the late mother of its captain, Ryan Sawtelle.

The team broke out its black jerseys and donned an oval “LS” decal on the top right shoulder, all of which were part of the tribute to Lori, who lost her battle with cancer last March. After a brief pre-game announcement to remember Lori while showing support to her family, the puck was set to drop.

On the ice, the Panthers weren’t about to be denied — not on Lori’s night — as they rallied behind their captain and his family for an emotional 6-1 victory over Plymouth North at Rockland Ice Rink.

“We definitely knew what we were playing for tonight and this whole season, too, so it meant a lot,” Sawtelle said.

When W-H (4-3-1, 1-2-1 Patriot League) took the ice for the third period with the score reading 1-1, the feeling in the rink was palpable — it was going to get the job done.

With roughly nine minutes remaining, senior assistant captain Korey Howard (one goal and two assists) made sure that happened by blasting a wrist shot past Plymouth North (3-3-2, 2-1-1) goalie Chris Kearney to push the Panthers in front 2-1.

“We did it,” Howard said of his initial thought after the goal.

Nearly a minute later, with 8:22 remaining, freshman Kevin Willis poked one home, pushing W-H’s lead to 3-1.

Senior assistant captain Alex Uva enhanced W-H’s advantage to 4-1 with 6:39 left, potting one past Kearney.

“It was awesome,” Uva, who said this was the most packed he’s seen the Rockland Ice Rink, explained. “The atmosphere tonight was great and getting that goal in front of all these fans and for Ryan and his family was awesome.”

The Panthers’ offensive onslaught continued as tallies by junior Owen Manning and sophomore Ed Collins capped a five-goal period.

After falling behind 1-0, W-H drew even at the 8:05 mark of the second period as a blast by Sawtelle caused a pair of rebounds, one of which was slapped in by sophomore Chris Stoddard.

“I knew that I wanted to come out strong and show everyone who we are and what we’re going to do tonight,” Sawtelle, who finished the night with three assists, said.

Uva, who ended the contest with a goal and three assists, said his mindset coming into this one was a simple one.

“Get the win for Lori, she was a great person and I’d do anything for the Sawtelle family,” he said.

Sawtelle said the outpouring of support he received from his teammates, coaches and community meant a lot.

“It shows who’s there for me, definitely a lot of support for me and helped me play through this game,” Sawtelle said

The victory also snapped a two-game Panthers losing streak, to boot.

W-H returns to action Saturday, Jan. 13 at 8 p.m. against Abington at Rockland Ice Rink.