Published February 15, 2019
MELROSE—The Melrose Red Raider hockey team improved to 11-1-5 and remain on Super 8 watch lists after a 5-1 win over Stoneham on Wednesday, Feb. 6.
The Red Raiders are ranked anywhere between 11th and 16th in hockey ratings systems.Their one loss only matches Pope Francis in all of Division 1, while their RPI is higher than any Middlesex League team (source: Boston Herald’s Jim Clark). Melrose faces a big test to prove their mettle when they face Xaverian on Tuesday night at Stoneham Arena at 6:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, Melrose has a real chance of earning their first league title in over 40 (!) years. This will get done if they prevail in a must-win game over Burlington at the Ice Palace on Sat. Feb. 16 at 6:00 p.m.
Prior to that (and post deadline) Melrose was slated to host Wakefield (1-10) on Wednesday, Feb. 13 and a victory there would put Melrose back at the top of the league. But that still keeps Burlington within striking distance, and the Red Devils have certainly made things interesting, as they are on a six game winning streak. In January, during their first meeting, Melrose and Burlington skated to a 3-3 draw.
MELROSE RED Raider senior Pat Maher. (Donna Larsson photo)
Let the games begin.
Middlesex Freedom Standings
Burlington 9-2-2 11-6-2
Melrose 8-1-3 11-1-5
Stoneham 6-6-0 9-7-0
Wilmington 3-10-0 5-11-0
Wakefield 1-10-1 4-10-2
