Wakefield travels to Wilmington for D2 North Prelim today
THE SENIORS have all been big contributors for a Warrior team who is heading back to the Div. 2 North Tournament. Pictured from left to right on Senior Night Feb. 21 is Dan Guarino, Jake Regan, Thomas Harrington, Connor Santos, Mike Lucey and Justin Harding. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)
Published in the February 25, 2019 edition.
By DAN PAWLOWSKI
STONEHAM — The Wakefield boys’ hockey team thanked their six seniors and their families for years of dedication to the program on Thursday night before The Warriors’ final home game against Matignon at the Stoneham Arena.
The boys had a bounce in their step, taking turns posing with their family members and earning plenty of stick taps from their underclassmen teammates.
But there was more behind the typical Senior Night pride; no matter what happened against Matignon, Jake Regan, Thomas Harrington, Mike Lucey, Dan Guarino, Connor Santos and Justin Harding were going to the dance.
Wakefield spent the weekend preparing for a familiar foe in Wilmington who they will meet today, 3 p.m. at Ristuccia Arena for the Div. 2 North’s only Preliminary round game.
All that meant to these seniors was another opportunity to lace up the skates for a team that owes them plenty.
“Our seniors have been the backbone of the team this year,” said Wakefield head coach Jason Lawrence who credits the seniors for setting the tone and buying in during his first year at the helm. “They have been an example on and off the ice throughout the season and lead with confidence. From day one, they have been the emotional and physical leaders we wanted as a coaching staff and have set a great foundation for years to come.”
With that confidence, the Warriors rematched Matignon, the team who Wakefield earned their first point of the season against with a 2-2 tie back on New Year’s Eve.
The Warriors took control in the first, taking a 2-0 lead behind two goals from Cal Tryder. Tryder completed the hat trick in the second period and Wakefield senior goalie Justin Harding withstood a wild Matignon comeback to hold on for a 3-1 lead, ending their regular season with a 6-11-3 record.
The Warriors outshot Matignon 13-6 in the first period and though the night was about the seniors, the opening frame belonged to a sophomore.
Tryder scored just 2:43 into the game assisted by junior defenseman Chris Coombs.
About three minutes later, Tryder made it 2-0. His first goal was more gritty, skating into a high scoring area. His second was a beautiful one-timer off a nice feed from his classmate and Warrior golf teammate Oliver Miller. Freshman defenseman Evan Simoneau also tallied an assist on the play.
“Tryder had a breakout game and looked extremely poised around the net,” said Lawrence. “His hard work all season paid off.”
Wakefield’s penalty kill got a chance to shine in the first as they won a 5-on-3 battle that lasted for 1:29. As they’ve done all season, the seniors, led by Harrington, Santos, Lucey and Guarino shut down the Matignon power plays and Harding made two tough stops first on a pad save then smothering the puck in oncoming traffic to maintain a 2-0 advantage after one.
Wakefield’s slow start in the second was jolted by Tyrder who scored shorthanded to complete his hat trick.
Tryder stole the puck at his own blue line and took off. Combining speed with composure, Tryder outworked a Matignon defender and locked in on his location, burying a shot stick side for a 3-0 Wakefield lead.
The Warriors kept up the pressure, ultimately outshooting the visitors 14-3 in a dominant second period. Sophomore forward Mike Petitto fed a sweet pass to Harrington whose backhand shot from the slot rang the pipe.
Wakefield killed another Matignon penalty and had a couple point chances on a power play of their own but no goals. Harding was up to the task on a Matignon breakaway with 44 seconds left in the frame to take a 3-0 lead into the third.
Matignon shocked the Warriors just 48 seconds into the third, scoring on a breakaway after a long stretch pass. The rest of period was stressful but Harding made 12 of his 20 saves in the third to hold on for the win.
It was the second straight win for the Warriors and their fifth point in their last three games, as they certainly skate into Wilmington today with plenty of momentum.
“Anytime you can win two games it helps build momentum and at this point in the seasons it’s crucial,” said Lawrence.
Let’s just say the Wildcats and Warriors are familiar with each other. In two games at Ristuccia this season, the two teams are 1-1. Wakefield won the first matchup 3-1 on Jan. 9 as Harding had 35 saves. The Warriors got goals from Tryder, Cam Souza and Simoneau.
Their second matchup one month later ended in a 3-2 Wilmington win. The Warriors got goals from captains Harrington and Regan during another back-and-forth game but Wilmington got the final tally when Wakefield pulled their goalie as they went for the win.
The winner of Monday’s tilt will go on to play top-seeded Masconomet (17-2-0) in the first round.
Following the lead of their seniors, the Warriors won’t mind being the underdogs in the tournament.
“Hopefully we can keep doing what makes us successful as a team and see what the tournament has to bring,” said Lawrence. “Everyone’s record is now 0-0.”
