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By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
Coming off a 4-3 victory against Brookline on January 15, the Walpole High School boys varsity hockey team traveled to Ulin Rink on Saturday night in search of their second consecutive win as the Rebels (6-3-2, 4-1-2) took on Milton.
Senior forward Tom Fruci drew first blood for the Rebels with 1:17 to play in the first period, making a great hustle play to move the puck up the ice on an odd-man rush before finishing the play at the net with a shot via the five hole, putting Walpole ahead, 1-0, at the end of one.
Sophomore forward Declan Hunter doubled Walpole’s lead to 2-0 just 1:24 into the second. Freshman Joey Cox took a hit in the defensive zone in order to make a breakout pass to Hunter, who flew down the left wing and put a wrist shot on net. Hunter’s initial shot was saved by the right pad of Milton goalie Ryan Dexter, but Hunter corralled the rebound and snapped home a shot upstairs to make it 2-0.
Junior forward Ethan McDonough (22) cuts to his backhand and moves the puck up the ice through the neutral zone.
With 2:21 to play in the period, junior forward Kevin McElaney tipped home a shot-pass from Fruci at the net mouth following an initial feed from sophomore Will Blakely at the point, giving Walpole a commanding 3-0 lead. Milton got on the board with a power play tally by Bobby Carew with 1:03 remaining in the period, and Walpole took a two-goal lead into the second intermission.
With the game still 3-1 with 1:30 to play, the Wildcats (2-6-2, 1-4-2) pulled Dexter for an extra attacker. Fruci picked off a Milton clearing attempt in the neutral zone before racing in and depositing the game-clinching empty-net goal. The Rebels prevailed by the 4-1 final.
Walpole will look to continue its winning ways when the Rebels host Framingham on January 25.
For funny and insightful sports analysis as well as video highlights of games, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter and Instagram @flano0.
