Wins over Stoneham, Wakefield punch ticket to D1N tourney
Published in the February 16, 2018 edition
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—After a two-year absence in the Div. 1 North playoff field, the Melrose Red Raider hockey team is returning to a post season after back-to-back wins over Stoneham and Wakefield this week. Melrose improves to 10-7-1 with two games left on the regular schedule and readying for a playoff run that begins February 26.
It’s a welcome return for Melrose coach Vin Mirasolo and his Red Raider squad. “This is a feather on the cap for the team,” says the coach. “We’ve been playing a higher level of hockey in the last 4-5 games and our best hockey is still ahead of us.”
MELROSE RED Raider hockey is tourney-bound after a 3-1 victory over Wakefield this week. Playoffs are set to begin February 26. (Donna Larsson photo)
While Melrose’s 3-1 victory over Wakefield on Tuesday officially got the job done, it was Melrose’s 3-1 win over Stoneham that proved critical to a post season.
The Red Raiders faced the Spartans (13-2-1) on Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Stoneham Arena with the hope of beating the Spartans twice in one season (Melrose previously beat Stoneham, 7-5, on Jan. 6) It was mission accomplished thanks to Melrose goals from Cam Marks, Zack Farrell and an empty netter by Liam Crovo.
According to Mirasolo, their win over the tough Stoneham squad was evidence of Melrose’s improved defense. “There’s been a team commitment to improving defense and our work in the neutral zone. Our defenders and goalie do the job but it takes a whole team.”
He points to recent efforts against teams such as Winchester and Reading, in which Melrose tied and came up short a goal. “We’re in every game and letting less goals in, things are always changing in this league and we know if we want to make a run we have to limit goals, and that’s happening now.”
On Tuesday, Melrose traveled to the Stoneham Arena to take on the Wakefield Warriors (4-12-1) and enjoyed another 3-1 win. Melrose took a 2-0 lead after two periods with goals from Shea Champagne and Brendan Fennell. A third period goal by Charles Haggerty made it a 3-1 final.
As Melrose picks up their 10th win, they have one eye on playoffs. With Burlington a possible Super 8 contender and Stoneham dropped to Div. 2, Melrose will look to duke it out with familiar large school foes such as Arlington, Belmont and Winchester.
“The Div. 1 field is loaded, the toughest in the state and our first goal was to get in,” says Mirasolo. “And now our goal to improve in the next two weeks to pick up some wins.”
But until then, there is more hockey to be played. Melrose will host Burlington on Saturday at 4:30 at Kasabuski Arena, hoping to upset the Red Devils, who were upset by Stoneham last weekend. Stay tuned.
