By Ken Chaisson
The Walpole Timberwolves girls’ ice hockey team (5–7–2) played the Milton Wildcats (14–1–1) at the Cadillac of Norwood Ice Arena in Walpole on Wednesday February 4, 2026.
The three time defending Bay State Conference champions, Milton is a powerhouse in girls’ hockey. They are currently ranked 5th in the Boston Globe poll in Division 2 and are 3rd in the power rankings. They lost in the state final to Medfield last March.
Walpole is 24th in the D2 power rankings with a good shot of being in the top 32 playoff teams. Their most recent game was against Braintree where junior Caroline Sullivan scored two goals. The game before Braintree was a 3–2 victory against Weymouth. Walpole fell behind early in the game, 2–0, but battled back with senior captain Kate Schneider and Sullivan tallying to tie the game. Senior captain Kaylee Walsh then potted the game winner in the third period.
The matchup with Milton was a good measuring stick for Walpole as they make their stretch drive to the playoffs.
The game started poorly as Milton scored two minutes into the game off a rebound of a loose puck in front. Senior Nora Kelley hit the post for Walpole on a power play a few minutes later. Sullivan was denied on a breakaway shortly thereafter. Milton doubled their lead at 6:54. Walpole earned their second power play at the end of the first period which included thirty seconds of a 5-on-3 for Walpole. Alas, they couldn’t tickle the twine.
The second period was very evenly played until the last few minutes when Milton doubled their lead. Freshman Ainsley Kelleher exhibited some strong skating, carrying the puck into the offensive zone. Sydney Falcione had a great chance at 8:22. Walpole got their first penalty late in the period. On the ensuing power play, senior captain Nadia Michienzi made two great saves on an initial shot which bounced high and resulted in a scramble for the rebound. Unfortunately, seven seconds after that save, Milton got their third goal. The line of Ella Dacey, Caitlin Caulfield and Eva Karacaldis put good sustained pressure on Milton. With under a minute to go in the period, a Walpole player lost their stick and Milton capitalized to go up 4–0.
Nearly all of the Milton offense strategy was to get pucks on the net and shoot high since most goalies today go down to the ice on their first reaction.
That was highlighted in the third period as Milton’s freshman defenseman Elise Hinckle wristed a blast from the blue line to the top corner, glove side to go up 5–0. That’s how it ended. Senior Maeve Higgins scored twice for the Wildcats.
Walpole’s first line of Schneider, Sullivan, Emily Meehan, Kelley, and Ainsley Kelleher kept the puck in Milton’s offensive zone most of their shifts. They proved that they can play with anybody.
Walpole girls’ head hockey coach, Dr. Kim O’Brien, has a quality squad this season. There are a few key games upcoming before the playoffs.
