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BY JOSH PERRY (@Josh_Perry10)
The Medfield High boys’ hockey team pulled out a 2-0 victory on Saturday evening against Medway at the Pirelli Veterans Rink in Franklin.
The victory gave the Warriors three points from two games against their Tri-Valley League rivals during the week and improved Medfield’s record to 6-0-1 at the start of the season.
Every winter, the Warriors are among the favorites not only in the TVL but also in Div. 2 South and this year is no different.
Bringing back an experienced core from a team that reached the South semifinal and won 18 games last season and is only two years removed from a trip to the Boston Garden and the state title game, Medfield coach Toby Carlow fully expects that his team will once again challenge for trophies.
“We expect to be in the mix,” said Carlow. “Our guys have really high expectations for themselves and we plan on being there at the end every year.”
One of the main reasons for the optimism around the program is the return of senior forwards John MacLean and Matt Treiber. They have formed a prolific pair on the ice and the lacrosse field for the past four years and have already accounted for 17 goals and 20 assists through the opening seven games.
“It’s great to have kids that are naturally talented like that,” said Carlow. “But they don’t just try to go out and do it all. They’re leaders on the ice and they push the younger guys.”
While Treiber and MacLean are understandably earning a lot of headlines, Medfield has shown depth on the forward line. Senior Kyle Gately has been a leader on the second line and “met a challenge” from his coach to produce, while freshman Brian Abely has stepped into the first line alongside Treiber and MacLean and already contributed 12 points (four goals, eight assists).
At the blue line, Medfield has been led by third year player Nigel Reiff, while sophomore David Corrigan has stepped right into the program and been a factor.
Senior Jonathan Seibel is an addition to the blue line this year after his move from Maryland to Medfield and Carlow praised him for successfully making a transition that the coach admitted would be very difficult.
The defense has been aided by the return of senior goalie Matthew Malvese, Jr. It is the first time in three seasons that the Warriors have had a starting goalie return from the season before.
“It’s huge,” said Carlow of the comfort level between the goalie and his defensemen. “He’s certainly played a big part in our success this season.”
“For the guys in front of him, it’s a huge confidence boost to know that there is someone solid back there.”
The Warriors have loaded up their schedule again this year to prepare for making another deep run in March.
Many of the Warriors were part of the team that reached the Garden two years ago and that level of competition will be crucial for battling through Div. 2 South, which features a number of perennial challenges such as Medway, Westwood, Canton, and Coyle-Cassidy.
Medfield will look to continue its unbeaten start against Holliston and defending state champion Westwood this week.
