Incredible OT playoff thriller ends in 2-1 loss
By JENNIFER GENTILE
PEMBROKE—All season, Melrose High boy’s hockey coach Joe Ciccarello has emphasized playing with urgency and in their MIAA Div. 3 playoff run, this Melrose High boy’s hockey answered the call.
Following a playoff-opening win over Amherst Pelham last week, No. 30 seed Melrose was pitted to face #3 seed Scituate on the road on Wednesday, Feb. 28. A tall order, indeed. But they managed to scare the daylights out of them in an OT thriller that fell the Sailors ways, 2-1, on an overtime goal by Scituate’s James Sullivan. Melrose ends their season 5-16-1 in Round of 32 play.
Melrose fed off the remarkable glove of junior goalie Matthew Fuccione, who had an astounding 38 saves at net over the night, carrying Melrose into OT. Melrose’s only goal came early courtesy of senior Brendan Healy on a Colin Fahey assist that matched Scituate’s early power play score. A scoreless final period brought things down to the wire before Scituate’s Sullivan shot the game winner a minute into overtime.
It was obviously a heartbreaker for Melrose, but there was nothing but pride from their coaches and fans in a come-from-behind season that showed a lot of heart. Playing their best hockey at the right time proved key this season.
“We knew they [Scituate] were good from the season they had,” says coach Joe Cicarello. “They have 3-4 players with 20+ points and one player who have 150 career points. So, definitely a high skilled team. If that’s the best [we played] I know we are right there. We didn’t get lucky, we finally played together and we can see what we could do. We all wish we just didn’t wait so long to come together. I guess that’s on me and I’ll spend off-season figuring out what can be done sooner.”
Melrose junior goalie Matt Fuccione had a career day for himself with a remarkable 38 saves against a relentless Scituate offense. Fuccione has been a stalwart all season. “Matt is an elite goalie. Had some games early he’d love to have back, but second half of the season, his talent really started to rise and flourish. We know he’s our rock and he loves that responsibility,” says Ciccarello.
He gave the team credit for bouncing back off the first goal of the game, a power play score by Scituate’s Sullivan. Melrose responded with the kind of confidence that proved vital. “We gained a ton of confidence beating Amherst and started to feel like we could skate with anyone. So I could sense the confidence before and during the entire game.”
Melrose’s scored to tie things up, 1-1, in the second and it certainly had #3 Scituate on edge. Ciccarello credited senior Charlie Hoskins for an instrumental role. “Fahey made a great pass to Healy, but the play was made in our zone by Charlie Hoskins. We talk about the importance of winning the battle along boards. He did, chipped it to Colin and created the 2-1 for the goal.”
While the road is over for Melrose, there is much to learn from the season. “We’re right in the mix. I told them how happy the coaching staff is that these seniors went out with that kind of fight.”
This year they lose departing seniors captains Jack Wright, Colin Fahey, along with Brendan Healy, Jackson Burdick, Tyler Muse, Michael Fuccione, Declan Baker, Joe Kelleher, Alex Sevastyanov, Ethan Burns, Joe Smith and Will Ryan.
“We truly love them all not only as players but people,” says Ciccarello. “They always come to hockey with a smile, they love being a part of program. I hope they have fond memories because they’ve given tons of time and commitment to this program and we are better off for it.”
After the game, he let the team know what their high school careers meant to him.
“I told them, WHEN Melrose wins a championship, and we will someday, I want to see each of them as we get off the ice to help celebrate because they set the foundation what we are trying to build here the last 2 years. They are all such great human beings.”
After a rollercoaster season, the coach gives a shout out to his coaching staff. “We have such a great staff. Brandon Pezzuto, Jim Mosca, Marc Cirrone, Rob Courtney, Dan McCarron, Cam Marks, and Dom Lamentea. These adults carve out time of their lives to make sure everyday they come to the rink and build relationships with these kids with such professionalism and knowledge. I am truly lucky to have myself surrounded by great people.”
Expect Melrose to have the building blocks to add to their wins this season, and their many returning players will be even more playoff experienced.
“I’m already very excited about next year. We also have lots coming back. Having these juniors getting ready to be the next leaders of the program will be exciting to build in offseason. There is tons of talent in the 8th grade class that benefitted playing on our JV team with that schedule. I told them already, if they stay together, the memories they build will last a lifetime. Nothing like playing for your hometown, with your life long friends.”