D’Antona’s game winner tops Wildcats, 4-3
After press time:
Melrose falls to Arlington (Jan. 25)
Melrose defeats Somerville 7-2 (Jan. 22)
WILMINGTON—The Melrose High boy’s hockey team split league play this week, but enjoyed a highlight in a 4-3 overtime thriller over Wilmington on Thursday, Jan. 6, an effort that keeps Melrose 5-6 on the season and power ranked 7th in Div. 3, which may all but assure them of another playoff run.
As they have reached the half mark of the season, head coach Joe Ciccarello is pleased with the team’s effort in light of a tough schedule. “The Middlesex League is one of the best leagues in the state in hockey,” he says. “The entire Liberty league is in the top 20 in the state, Stoneham is ranked #1 in their division. Burlington and Wilmington and Watertown are all ranked top 20 in their respective divisions also. The league is relentless in dogfights night after night. I wouldn’t want it any other way. You can only sharpen your tools against iron.”
And getting that key win over the Wilmington Wildcats was a good example, as it took an overtime winning shot by Melrose’s Justin D’Antona with 26 seconds left in overtime to seal the win. This is a Wildcat team that Melrose hasn’t beaten in their last 5 efforts.
D’Antona’s goal came off a rebound shot by Aiden Ryan. “Aiden shot the puck low (we preach to create rebounds) and Justin was in the right spot to bury the rebound,” says the coach. “Griff Brady made a great play to keep the puck in the zone on that play. Like I always say, it takes everyone to score a goal. We did a good job of not getting down after being down by a goal twice.”
Previously, Melrose had been down 1-0 and 2-1 but took the lead 3-2 on goals from Quinn Haggerty, Aiden Barber, and Declan McLean, before Wilmington tied it in the third. “We stayed calm and won,” says the coach. “Wilmington always plays physical and tough, especially in their rink. It is a tough place to play.”
D’Antona remains Melrose’s leading scorer this season. “Overall, he’s having a great season,” says his coach. “Of course, it takes everyone.”
Melrose would later drop a heartbreaker against rival Stoneham on Saturday at Kasabuski Arena. Melrose fought back from a 0-2 deficit before tying it up but Stoneham scored the game winner late.
Melrose’s Ray Willis IV scored first on a great put back from a pass out front from D’Antona. D’Antona scored a power play goal to tie it up in the third.
Yes, a disappointing ending to the first of two games against a great rival. They will replay each other on Feb. 15. “Stoneham is very good,” says Ciccarello. “I think the class of our freedom league. They come at you and are big in spots. It is a good rivalry and fun game to play in. It will only help us in tourney playing in games like that. I was proud of our comeback and again, ability to maintain their composure.”
Power Rankings released each week have consistently had Melrose high (this week, 7th in Div. 3) making a playoff run quite probable. But coach Ciccarello insists Melrose has a lot to work on to be the best they can be in an extended season. “The whole team, hasn’t reached their potential yet,” says the coach. “We get a little individual at times and we don’t reach our potential. We need to know our roles, what each of us are good at, and stay in that space. So as long as we stay committed to this process of growing and getting better we should have all our tools sharp by March.”
After a non-league game against Somerville this week Melrose will resume ML action when they travel to Arlington to Ed Burns Arena to take on the Spy Ponders at 2:20 p.m.