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Red Raiders Cruise in Season Finale
7-0
Dominant
performance turned in against Everett
Everett – The Melrose Red
Raiders blanked the Everett Crimson by a score of 7-0 in their final
varsity hockey game of the 2007-2008 season at the Everett rink.
This game was festive for
Red Raiders right from the start as a large Melrose crowd including
the cheerleaders gathered for the finale. The senior classman of both
teams suited up for their final high school varsity hockey games
however once the puck was dropped it was clear it was going to be a
great night for Melrose as they buzzed the Everett goal early. Sean
Morris was particularly sharp when called upon coming high out of his
crease to make saves and steer rebounds to the corners. The senior
defensemen played their final games with heart as Elias Thorp played
strong down low clearing the pucks out to the wings and Nick Clark
rose to the occasion by laying out a few patterned should checks.
Melrose Captain Mike
Fimiani closed out a classy career netting his fourth “Hat Trick” of
the season along with two assists to lead Melrose. His relentless
drive and ability to break a game open will be missed however the
torch was passed this night to junior center Colin Murphy who was the
catalyst for Melrose scoring a pair of goals and getting the Red
Raiders off to a 2-0 lead. His first goal was a “top shelf” wrist shot
from the slot off a nice feed from Sophomore Eric Farr behind the net
at 11:01. Early in period two it was Murphy again pushing a wrist shot
low to the far corner on an assist from line mate Peter Hanson at
1:27. One minute later it was Fimiani scoring his first after Mike
Darling had rushed the puck to the left circle of Everett and cut back
on a loop taking a defensemen with him and feathering a feed to Fim
who made it a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Everett valiantly tried to
mount an attack and for a few minutes in period two had Melrose back
on their heels. Morris had to stay strong especially on a series of
blasts from the Crimson point men that were subject to deflection.
Chris Healy and Jon Ahern returned identical pressure from the Melrose
side peppering the Everett goalie on an ensuing power play but could
not score one. Melrose got a boost from their fourth line of Joe
Adams, Chris Fimiani, and Chris Keirnan who had some opportunities and
lots of energy. The line of Jack Moriarty, Greg Porcaro and Captain
Billy Allan buzzed the Everett zone throughout and played a physical
style and turning pucks over.
In the third period
Melrose played to their full potential and the talented first line put
on a show. On a penalty kill scenario Mike Darling jumped on a loose
puck and found Fimiani in front for a backhander to the short side at
the 2:38 mark. At 6:12 Melrose scored perhaps their prettiest goal of
the game off the stick of Chris Powers who rounded up in the Melrose
end then passed to Mike Darling for a “give and go” at the neutral
zone before “tic –tac-toeing” with short passes from Darling to Fimani
to Powers in the slot for a 5-0 lead. Powers would score again at 9:26
and Fimiani completed his hat trick soon after on a steal above the
right circle and break in with 2:47 to play. Coach Shipulski played
the senior players in the waning moments of the game in tribute of the
leadership provided this season. As Allan upon thwarted the final shot
attempt by Everett by the right circle, securing the shut out, the
team embraced one final time around Morris at the final buzzer.
A late night dinner social
for the players, cheerleaders, and parents was set up by the winning
goaltender’s parents Tim and Maria to put a nice cap on the victory
and season.
In the end , this “season
of change” for Melrose hockey, under the guidance of new first year
Head Coach Jason Shipulski was a success as the Red Raiders more than
doubled their win totals from a year ago and achieved their highest
point totals in the Middlesex League in four years (6-12-2 =14). What
was extremely encouraging was the team’s play in the second half and
how competitive the team was especially against the likes of Reading,
and Woburn. Having missed the MIAA state tourney by only six (6)
points , the Red Raiders will have a strong nucleus returning next
year and the future looks bright.
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