QUINN HAGGERTY and the MHS hockey team are coming off a win over Watertown as they head into their Middlesex Freedom schedule. (photo by Raj Das edphotos.com)

 

 

By JENNIFER GENTILE

SAUGUS—The Melrose High boy’s hockey team picked up their first league win of the season in a convincing 5-1 victory over Watertown at home on Saturday, January 4 at Kasabuski Arena.

It was the third win in four efforts for Melrose (3-4) who are skating into 2025 in winning style.

The victory has them in a good spot entering their first of two meetings with arch-rival Wakefield on Wednesday (post deadline).

Against the Watertown Raiders, Melrose enjoyed spread out offense with five separate players scoring for the team.

While Watertown scored first on a power play, Melrose took total command of the game from there and didn’t look back. It started with a Melrose goal from Quinn Haggerty in the first, followed by Ray Willis IV and Jack Feeney. They closed it out with goals from Declan Mclean and Justin D’Antona to silence the Raiders. “It was nice to have 5 different scorers,” said Melrose head coach Joe Ciccarello after the game. “We took way to many penalties. That isn’t who we’ve been so I was upset at the amount. However, I like our response from being down. Shows we have character.”

Melrose did take 8 penalties over the night, so they were virtually always a man down. “That disrupted the flow of what we wanted to do and had an effect on our game plan,” says the coach. “But Quinn [Haggerty] and Jack [Feeney] really did a great job killing penalties as well as Declan [McLean] and Willis IV.”

One key moment in the night was an impressive assist by Melrose’s Charlie Hoskins on the goal of Jack Feeney. “Charlie hustled to get to a puck and threw a dart across ice to Jack for the tip in,” notes his coach.
And beyond the first power play goal, Melrose defense shut down any further goal attempts, thanks in part to the work of goalie Matthew Fuccione, who had 21 saves. Says coach Ciccarello, “He played well, like he has been. Everyone has to be committed to team defense.”

It seems this game served as a blueprint for what the coach prefers: a team-approach to the ice. “We don’t score easy, lots of work goes into each one. So it is nice when it comes from multiple lines and players,” he says. “But we try to stress that ‘Melrose’ scores the goals. We can’t get wrapped up in whose getting the credit. I tell them I’m not really into the giant individual “celly” shows kids put on after they score. You probably scored because the work of 4 other players.”

That humility might help fuel a nice run for Melrose as they soon approach their mid point of the season. Melrose is entering a key stretch of the schedule, their first run at Freedom League play. Each game will be considered critical.
“Every team in the Middlesex is tough,” says Ciccarello. “The history alone makes kids play at another level. We finished last place last year and I am reminding the kids every chance I get. If they want to avenge that finish, we need to look at every Middlesex game as the biggest game of the year.”

That said, it’s time to beat Wakefield. That’s the consensus of everyone on the ice. Says the coach, “Our seniors are 0-6 against them. I’m reminding them of that. I don’t care of records, this game is always a big deal and we better be up for it.”

With three wins out of 4 games, Melrose enters on good momentum. “We’ve learned that we can fall behind and remain calm and play the game and win. I do love the leadership and character. It has been a great team to be around. They did a great job Christmas Eve delivering food. They always show up when I ask them. I’m proud of the type of kids they are.”

Melrose travels to Burlington on Saturday afternoon for a 4:15 p.m. game against the Red Devils.