November 22, 2024
HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY

Wilsons lead Brewer to Class B state final Witches to face Cape Elizabeth today

The hockey outlook for the Brewer High Witches improved significantly 18 months ago.

That’s when brothers Zach and Matt Wilson, who live in Orrington, decided to transfer from Kents Hill to Brewer.

Senior left wing Zach Wilson and his defenseman brother Matt, a junior, led the Witches to a berth in the Eastern Maine Class A playoffs a year ago. This season, they have played integral roles in Brewer’s EM Class B title leading up to today’s 1 p.m. state championship showdown with defending “B” champ Cape Elizabeth (15-7) at The Colisee in Lewiston.

Defending champ Cheverus of Portland (20-2-1) will meet Lewiston (15-6-2) in the state Class A final at 6.

Zach Wilson is the 19-4 Witches’ leading goal scorer and their only EM Class B first-team selection. Wilson has 28 goals and 20 assists despite missing six games with shoulder and knee injuries.

He had three goals and two assists in Brewer’s 7-3 regular- season win over Cape Elizabeth and two goals, including the overtime winner, in Wednesday’s 3-2 win over Houlton-Hodgdon in the EM final. Brother Matt had two assists against Houlton-Hodgdon.

Matt Wilson, a second-team All-Eastern B choice, leads the Witch blue line corps with 13 goals and 19 assists.

Zach Wilson said he has been “very happy” with his season so far but wishes he hadn’t missed time due to injury.

“But I’m all healed up now and ready to go,” said Zach Wilson, who added that he “learned a lot of hockey” in his two years at Kents Hill but is happy he returned.

“Ever since growing up here, I dreamed of going to Brewer High and bringing as much as I could to the team,” said Zach Wilson.

The Wilson brothers have already earned a state championship ring as the Witches won the state Class B football title last fall.

“Hockey has always been our [favorite] sport, but we also played football growing up,” said Matt Wilson. “We won one in football and now we’d like to get one in hockey for Zach’s last season.”

The Wilsons enjoy being teammates, although Zach admitted they have their occasional disagreements.

“But we complement each other very well,” he said.

The Wilsons said they have tried to limit their penalty minutes this season, and they know they will have to keep their cool Saturday.

“They’ll be gunning for us, so we’ve got to keep our heads and stay out of the box. They have a lot of quick, feisty guys who aren’t afraid to come at you,” said Matt Wilson.

Zach Wilson added that “whoever wins the puck along the boards and in the corners will win.”


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