Hosts Wilmington tonight
WATERTOWN — The Wakefield High boys’ hockey team traveled to the John. A. Ryan Arena in Watertown Friday night on a mission, needing a victory to snap a five-game losing streak.
Four of those last five games were decided by just one goal. This one was too, only this time, the Warriors came out on top, 1-0.
The win was even sweeter for Wakefield who avenged a 3-1 loss to Watertown on New Year’s Eve.
Senior goalie Gabe Brissette earned his 3rd shutout of the season, collecting 13 saves on the night.
Wakefield’s game-winner came just over six minutes into the 1st period when senior Dan Mailhoit scored assisted by senior Matt Burns.
Brissette and the Warrior defense, including blue liners Burns, senior captain Evan Simoneau, sophomore Brian Purcell, sophomore Liam McNeil and freshman Trevor Veilleux took it from there.
“I thought we played great team defense to get back to winning,” said head coach Mike Geary. “We were led by our senior class. Specifically Dan Mailhoit, who had the goal and played great, Gabe Brissette in goal and Matt Burns on defense.”
Wakefield outshot Watertown 15-13 in a tense, possession battle. The 2nd period was when Brissette had to especially step up, turning away seven Raider shots to maintain the lead going into the final period.
The shots were an even 3-3 in the 3rd as the Warriors held on to pick up a huge victory.
Wakefield improved to 5-8 with the win. The Warriors have seven games remaining in the regular season. They can automatically qualify for the Div. 2 statewide tournament with five more wins.
Wakefield can also make the tournament based on the MIAA’s power rankings. The top 32 ranked teams, regardless of record, make the tournament. Any teams ranked outside the top 32 who have won at least half their games, also automatically qualify.
The Warriors were ranked No. 10 in Div. 2 in the MIAA’s latest power rankings released on Thursday. Wilmington (No. 20) and Melrose (No. 28) are the only other Middlesex League teams in D2.
The top of the Div. 2 rankings include Tewksbury (9-0), Masconomet (9-2), Gloucester (10-2), Norwood (9-2) and Walpole (4-4).
If the tournament started based on the current rankings, the Warriors would host No. 23 Longmeadow (6-4) in the first round.
Wakefield hosts Wilmington tonight, 8 p.m. at the Stoneham Arena. The Warriors beat the Wildcats 4-0 on Jan. 5.
