Melrose’s winning season ends in playoff opener

Published in the March 9, 2018 edition

By JENNIFER GENTILE

CHELMSFORD—The Melrose Red Raider hockey team saw their postseason come to an end after a 5-4 loss to Belmont in the Div. 1 North tourney opener on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at the Chelmsford Forum.

Melrose held a 3-2 advantage after two periods but ultimately saw Marauder Justin Rocha hit the game-winner with just a minute left in regulation. 

After the game, Melrose coach Vin Mirasolo spoke of Melrose’s spirited effort. “We were scoring well in the first two [periods]—it was a pretty even game and we had our chances to win, but Belmont is a good team who capitalized on our mistakes.”

THE MELROSE Red Raider hockey team fell 5-4 to Belmont in the Div. 1 North tourney opener on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at the Chelmsford Forum. (Donna Larsson photo)

The Red Raiders saw early scoring from Brendan Fennell and Shea Champagne. Belmont’s Connor Dacey and Steve Rizzutto notched goals that tied it up. But a goal by Melrose’s Andrew Calvert helped give Melrose a 3-2 edge. Melrose goalie Mark Dewling and the Red Raider defensive line played strong holding off Marauder attacks. Belmont senior Will Dominican tied the game up 3-3 early in the third. Melrose’s Shea Champagne and Belmont’s Justin Rocha scored goals to make it a 4-4 game. The two teams battled in a stalemate until Belmont’s Rocha pinned the win for the Marauders with a goal at the 1:00 mark. The results was the end of Melrose’s 11-9-1 season. 

Mirasolo credited Belmont for their play. 

“There are definitely things we could have done to have made it a different game,” he said. “But Belmont is a great team. We had success against them earlier this season and it speaks to our abilities when playing at our finest.”

Overall, returning to playoffs was one goal met for the Red Raiders this year. “I think it was the end of a very good season,” says the coach. “I know it stings for our seniors having to move on, but making the tournament this season meant something.” 

Melrose says goodbye to seniors Daniel Broderick, Matt Campagna, Zack Farrell, Charles Femio and captains Darwin Anderson and Shea Champagne. Two of them, Anderson and Champagne, have been with Mirasolo since freshmen year. “My seniors were great leaders. I’m sad to see them move on because they worked hard and bought into what we were coaching. They played with heart.” 

But Melrose can take solace that they return some talented underclassmen, including the team’s leading scorer, freshmen Brendan Fennell and the team’s goalie Mark Dewling. “We do have plenty of talent coming back,” says the coach. “Our key is to get our players committed from their freshmen year on and invest [in the program]. Right now our youth will serve us well, the pieces are in place.” 

Belmont advanced to beat Super 8 drop-out Arlington and will play Waltham in the Semifinals on Wednesday to get into Div. 1 North finals.