from eighth grader Jon Ferrante and Hofmann.
"It was good to see us jump out with a good start," Papalegis said. "We have a lot of senior leadership on this team and I think the fact that it was their last home game energized the whole team."
Papalegis, who inherited a team that won just 11 games in the previous two seasons, has a chance to win 11 games this season.
The Vikings will win 11 games if they come out on top in their final two games this week against Trinity Catholic on Wednesday and St. Clement on Saturday.
While the Vikings used to struggle to get wins, they are now a perennial tournament contender, and with just seven seniors on the team, the success does not look like it's going to go away.
"We wanted the team to know that winning is a habit and so is losing," Papalegis said.
"Every game on our schedule is winnable and we want to go into every game expecting a win. Plus the kids have been accountable for their play and they all want to improve, they have taken ownership of this team. They want people to know that there is another successful hockey team on Cape Ann."
Rockport 7, Minuteman 1
at Dorothy Talbot Rink, Gloucester
Minuteman001—1
Rockport 322—7
First period: R, Beau Gauthier (Matt Ledbury, Matt Graves) 3:03; R, Brendan Douglass (Pat Hofmann) 11:02; Douglass (Scott Greene, Hofmann) 13:39.
Second period: R, Max Houle (Douglass) 1:41; R, Greene (Hofmann, Jake O'Maley) 3:32.
Third period: R, Jon Ferrante (un.) 4:39; M, Dan Gill (un.) 6:52; R, Hofmann (un.) 12:47.
Saves: M, Lucas Taylor 24; R, Colby Foster 15
Records: M, 3-12-2; R, 9-7.
