Wareham/Carver Vikings hit stride with playoffs approaching

Jan 5, 2019

The Wareham/Carver Vikings are heating up the ice as the season kicks into high gear.

With playoffs coming next month, the team’s record currently stands at 4-2. However, Head Coach Rick Valatkevicz said, the record is deceiving.

“Two of our losses were by just one goal,” said Valatkevicz, now in his fourth year as coach. “And one loss came in the last 35 seconds of a game.”

More important than the Viking’s solid record, he said, is the team’s cohesion.

“Overall, the players are working hard and coming together as a team at the right time with the playoffs coming,” he said.

Valatkevicz said while there’s still room for improvement, he’s seen great strides from the team. Defense has been one bright spot in particular.

“In past years, we would give up 40 shots on goal in a game,” he said. “We’ve cut that number in half this season.”

That and other improvements are being made as the team matures.

“Our chemistry has never been better,” said Co-Captain Bryan Gallagher, a junior. 

Assistant Captain Coleby Paling said the team has been growing their skills together. 

“Last year we had a fairly young team,” said Paling. “But we’re competing at a higher level now that we have more experience.”

Gallagher, Paling and third Co-Captain Quirino DoCanto, have had more ice time together than most of their teammates. The trio started playing together more than 10 years ago, honing their skills in the same youth hockey program.

DoCanto said it’s nice to see the entire team coming together this year.

Valatkevicz agreed.

“Everyone’s working hard and having a lot of fun,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll continue winning the rest of the season.”