[ccfic caption-text format="plaintext"]
By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
The Medfield High School boys varsity hockey team is back over .500 following two consecutive victories over Wilmington (3-2, makeup game) on Monday and Masconomet (5-2) on Wednesday, as they improve to 9-8-1 on the year.
Following a scoreless first period of play, the Warriors were able to net two goals in the second period of Monday’s game against Wilmington thanks to sophomore forward Brian Abely and junior forward Tom Schofield to go ahead 2-1 at the intermission. Wilmington tied the game at two early in the second period, but a power play goal late by junior forward Mike Johnston on a two-man advantage gave the Warriors a 3-2 lead, which they would hold onto and prevail by the same score.
Medfield carried the momentum from the make-up game victory over Wilmington into Wednesday night’s date with Masconomet, but unfortunately, the Warriors found themselves down 2-0 early against the Chieftains. However, the Medfield boys battled back with five unanswered goals to earn a big comeback victory.
Following the second Masconomet goal, the Warriors responded by cutting the deficit to one just a minute and a half later as the rebound from a Ryan Johnston shot caromed right onto the tape of freshman forward John Schofield, who smacked the puck into the back of the net to make it a 2-1 game.
Moments after the Schofield goal, Brian Abely tied things up with a swift wrap-around move and stuff attempt from behind the net, as the game entered the third period knotted at two.
With just under eight minutes to play in regulation, J. Schofield notched his second tally of the night on another rebound in front to give Medfield its first lead of the game at 3-2. On the very next shift, Abely gave the Warriors some insurance with a shot from the lower hash marks that beat the Masconomet goaltender up high and the Warriors took a multi-goal lead into the game’s final minutes.
The Warriors added a late empty net goal once Masconomet pulled the goaltender for the extra-man advantage, and held on for the impressive 5-2-comeback victory.
At the time of print, the Medfield boys will take to the ice next on February 23 in the Joe Quinn Memorial Tournament in Raynham.
