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By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
The Medfield High School varsity boys ice hockey team is getting hot at the perfect time after earning back-to-back wins against Westwood (2-1) and DS/Weston (8-0).
Back on January 16, the Warriors (9-4-4, 6-4-4) played a high-scoring thriller at Pirelli Arena in Franklin against Norwood, with the Mustangs (12-3-2, 10-3-0) coming out on top, 6-5. With the scene shifting to Bajko Arena in Hyde Park on Wednesday, Medfield looked to extend its winning streak to three games, as well as avoid the regular season sweep at the hands of the Mustangs.
In what was almost undoubtably Medfield’s strongest and most complete performance of the 2019-2020 season, the Warriors dominated from the onset and cruised to a massive 5-0 victory. Senior captain Mike Tyer led the way with a pair of goals, with junior forward Mike Vachon, junior forward Phillip Parker and junior defenseman James Wilder (one goal, one assist) also getting their names on the score sheet.
The game remained scoreless until 1:00 to play in the first period, when Parker opened up the scoring by depositing home a rebound on his backhand following a shot from the point by Wilder after an offensive zone face-off. With time winding down in the period, Chris Lawson picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone and broke in on a two-on-one with Tyer. Lawson fired a shot on net that was turned aside by the blocker of Norwood goalie Brendan Bartucca. The rebound popped right onto the backhand of Tyer, who flicked home a shot into the empty cage just before the buzzer sounded to end the period. Medfield took a 2-0 lead into the intermission.
Following a scoreless second period, Vachon gave Medfield some insurance at 3:08 of the third period, carrying the puck out from the corner and back-handing home a shot off the left post and in to make it a 3-0 game. Tyer netted his second just 1:51 later, skating in and firing home a wrist shot upstairs off a turnover in the neutral zone to make it 4-0. Wilder stamped the finishing touches, rifling home a wrist shot upstairs on a breakaway with 1:33 to play. Medfield would come away with the 5-0 win.
At the time of print, Medfield will wrap up its regular season on February 19 at Boston Latin before finding out where they will be seeded in the Division II South playoffs.
For funny and insightful sports analysis as well as video highlights of games, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter and Instagram @flano0.
