Wins the Kasabuski tourney to improve to 4-2

Published in the January 5, 2018 edition

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—The Melrose Red Raider hockey team is flying high with a 4-2 record, winners of three in a row and recently crowned Kasabuski North Champs on Dec. 26 and 27 at the annual Kasabuski Christmas Classic in Saugus.

SENIOR CAPTAIN Darwin Anderson’s two goals helped lift Melrose over Triton in the opening round of the Kasabuski Christmas Tournament. (courtesy photo)

Melrose’s charged offense is proving a game-changer for Melrose— who have scored 18 goals in three games— many of them courtesy of senior captain Darwin Anderson and fresh phenom Brendan Fennell, who led Melrose with 4 goals during Melrose’s 7-2 Kasabuski final victory against North Reading. At 4-2, things are looking up for Melrose, who hope to fulfill a playoff season. 

Their wins began on Saturday, Dec 23 when Melrose topped Woburn, 7-4. Melrose took an early lead of 2-1 in the first with goals from Liam Crovo and Brendan Fennell, while Woburn’s Tyler Manzi scored on a power play goal. Melrose’s Darwin Anderson flipped the score with back-to-back goals to make it 4-3 after the second shortly after Woburn scored from Bobby Concannon and Bryan Govostes. Melrose ran away with the game in the third with three goals from Cam Marks, Fennell and Crovo for a final 7-4 win. 

Melrose took day one of the Kasabuski Christmas Classic with a 4-1 victory over Triton (1-4), led by scorers Darwin Anderson and Brendan Fennell, who had two goals a piece. Despite the Vikings taking an early 1-0 lead (a goal from Tyler Godfrey) Melrose went on the attack, with Darwin Anderson finding the net on a rebound and less than a minute later, teammate Brendan Fennell hit paydirt on a shot. In the second period, Melrose took a 3-1 Melrose lead, after another shot by Fennell. And Anderson cleaned it up with an empty netter in the waning minutes for a 4-1 final. Triton dominated possession in the third but Mark Dewling held steady at the net for Melrose to secure the win. 

Their victory pitted them against North Reading in the Day 2 Finals, and Melrose swept to an easy win of 7-2 thanks to Fennell’s four goals along with two from Cam Marks and one from Anderson. 

Melrose looks to continue their winning ways when they face Wilmington on Wednesday night (post deadline) and then travel to Stoneham Arena to take on a competitive Spartan team on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. 

Middlesex League Freedom Standings

Burlington      6-0 

Stoneham      4-0

Melrose          4-2

Wilmington     2-3

Wakefield       2-4