COLIN FAHEY’S overtime, game-winning goal helped Melrose beat rival Stoneham, 3-2. (photo by Raj Das, edphotos.com)

 


3-2 overtime win highlights week

 By JENNIFER GENTILE

SAUGUS—It terms of dramatics, the Melrose High boys varsity hockey team is certainly not lacking in it during recent days, and one thing is for certain: these contests have become must-see events, with their last three games resulting in overtime play.

And they picked up their most impressive win of the season with an overtime victory over league rival Stoneham, 3-2 on Jan. 4.

A tandem act from junior Colin Fahey and sophomore Justin D’Antona combined for three goals to help Melrose upset a key rival at a well-attended Kasabuski Arena in Saugus.

Melrose (2-5-1) will now focus continuing ML Freedom play including Wilmington, whom they travel to on Saturday.

“The fans were awesome,” said Melrose coach Joe Ciccarello after the game. “It was packed and the noise was way up. Having that home ice advantage worked to our strengths.”

It was another great performance by sophomore Matthew Fuccione at the net. “He is just outstanding,” says Coach Ciccarello, who also praises the lights-out work from defensemen Joey O’Keefe. “He’s our rock. He inspires us and is a real leader.”

But it was the offensive work from Fahey and D’Antona that set the game in motion. Melrose had an early lead thanks to goals Fahey and D’Antona (on a Brendan Doyle assist) but Stoneham would tie things up at 2-2 to force overtime. Fortunately, Fahey came up with his second goal of the night, the game winner, thanks to a huge assist from D’Antona to clinch victory. It was their most satisfying win in a long time.

Coach Ciccarello was asked what worked in this particular game. “This team is willing to learn even after we lay an egg,” he says. “We practice well and they are in great physical shape. They’re receptive to coach and together we know we want to be better in our next ten games then our first ones.”

Meanwhile, the ML Liberty (Large) league is currently boasting about 3 top-10 ranked teams in the state in the form of Arlington, Belmont and Reading. Melrose has already taken losses to the Rockets and Marauders and will face the Spy Ponders later in the season. But there are a lot of Freedom League games ahead and those are winnable ones.

Melrose recently faced Watertown (also an OT game) but was on the opposite end with a 2-1 loss, despite a goal from Colin Fahey. “We came out flat in that effort,” says the coach.

But there is a long season to go and plenty of opportunity for Melrose to return to playoffs.

“That’s the funny thing about the Freedom League,” he continues. “B can lose to A, but then A falls to C. Everyone is hammering each other, there is no natural standout team… that makes every game count. We’re learning how to win and we know it’s important to close out a game. That’s key.”

Check out Melrose on Saturday when they travel to take on Wilmington at the Ristuccia Rink at 12:30 p.m.