Published in the February 3, 2017 edition
THE MELROSE Red Raider hockey team hopes to pick up a win when they travel to Wilmington on Saturday. (Donna Larsson photo)
By LUC SULLIVAN
SAUGUS—In a Wednesday night face-off between two Middlesex League tournament contenders, Reading handed Melrose a tough 6-1 loss on Wednesday, January 25 at the Kasabuski Arena. Melrose followed the game with a tie against Woburn and loss against Burlington on Monday.
Against the Rockets, penalties would prove a factor all game as an early power play goal from Reading’s Kevin Tobin pushed the Rockets out to a 1-0 lead less than five minutes into the opening period. But Melrose bounced right back, playing intense, hard-hitting hockey to keep the score unchanged going into the first intermission. Over the next two periods however, the Rockets managed to take off, slipping in four unanswered goals before Melrose freshman Cam Marks snapped the shutout in the third period, ripping one past Reading’s netminder to put Melrose on the board for their lone goal.
Although The Raiders played well the entire game, hustling to loose pucks, connecting on cross ice passes and getting shots on net, it wasn’t enough. Reading would pot one more in the third, leaving the final score at Reading 6, Melrose 1.
Melrose found more offense on Saturday when they fought to a draw against the Woburn Tanners. Melrose’s Zack Farrell had two goals for Melrose while Connor Crovo and Shea Champagne both chipped in with one. Woburn’s goals were shot by Peter D’Arrigo, Luke Anderson, Andrew Nicholas and Christian Brinkley.
But it was one step back on Monday night when Melrose hosted a very tough Burlington and left the ice in a 5-0 loss. Goalie Paul Barbieri had a shutout for the Red Devils, while teammates Drew Merzdorf and Riley Gilberg each scored twice in the night.
After a week of play, Melrose sits 5-5-3 at the halfway mark of this season. That puts the Raiders at .500 in a very competitive league, looking for their spot in the tournament.
Head coach Vincent Mirasolo said Melrose is always looking to improve while they make their playoff run in the coming weeks and that, “Success is predicated by all twenty guys vying in… and playing hard.”
Melrose next hosts Winchester on Wednesday (post deadline) before traveling to Wilmington on Saturday for a must-win against game the Wildcats. Puck drops at 2:00 p.m.
