3-1 defeat is first loss for Melrose (2-1-1)
Published January 29, 2021
By JENNIFER GENTILE
WILMINGTON—The Melrose Red Raider hockey team suffered their first defeat of the season after a 3-1 loss to Wilmington Saturday, Jan. 23 at the Ristuccia Arena in Wilmington. The Wildcats shut out Melrose during most of the contest after a quick opening-game goal by the Red Raiders. Melrose now seeks to get even when the two teams face each other in Round Two this Wednesday (post deadline) at Stoneham Arena.
Much of the credit from the win goes to Wilmington goalie Alex Fitzler, who kept Melrose scoreless nearly the whole game, despite Melrose outshooting them 16-10 in the second half. Fitzler was able to keep Melrose standout Brendan Fennell at bay for most of the contest after Fennell had Melrose’s only score just one minute into the contest. The Red Raiders looked sharp in the opening minutes of the game and set up their first score on a power play when junior TJ Sullivan fed the puck to Gavin Crowley, who found Brendan Fennell in front of the net for a goal that put Melrose up 1-0 early. But Wilmington tied it up 1-1 at 18:26 and didn’t look back when Nathan Aliberti found the net at 17:07.
The Melrose and Wilmington goalies were working overtime as the two teams swapped a flurry of shots. Red Raider goalie Joe Smith fended off a scrum in front of the net at 8:25, while Melrose saw close shots at the Wildcat net by TJ Sullivan and Colin Fahey. Brendan Fennell and Joey O’Keefe put pressure in front Fitzer, but the goalie thwarted any scoring attempt. Melrose goalie Joe Smith meanwhile avoided pressure until Wildcat Mike Daniels took advantage of a turnover for a breakaway and scored on a shorted handed goal with ten seconds left in the first half. Wilmington took the 2-1 lead into halftime.
Wilmington scored once more when Jason Davey scored less than a minute into the second half to give Wilmington a 3-1 lead they wouldn’t lose. Melrose offense couldn’t generate offense in the remaining minutes and fell in their first loss of the season.
At press time, Melrose was slated to revisit the Wildcats when they host them Wednesday (post deadline) at Stoneham Arena. On Wed., Feb. 3, Melrose will travel to the Burlington Ice Palace to take on the Red Devils at 4:30 p.m.
Remaining games
Wed. Jan. 27, 7:30 PM v. Wilmington @ Stoneham Arena
Wed. Feb. 3, 4:10 PM @ Burlington (Burlington Ice Palace)
Sat. Feb. 6, 7:30 PM v Burlington @ Stoneham Arena
Sat. Feb. 13, 7:30 PM v Wakefield @ Stoneham Arena
Mon. Feb. 15, 7:30 PM @ Wakefield (Stoneham Arena)
