It's Tourney Time for Medfield High School Boys' Hockey Team

It's the last day of February but the first day of the MIAA high school state tournaments and the boys' hockey team is the first of four MHS teams to play in a tournament game this week. The Warriors will face-off against Silver Lake Regional High School of Kingston tonight at 8 p.m. at the Asiaf Arena in Brockton at 8 p.m. 

Boys' Hockey:

(23) Silver Lake Regional (10-9-3, 5-6-2 vs. (10) Medfield (12-5-3 , 9-3-2)
Asiaf Arena, Brockton, 8 p.m.
Division 3 South Sectional State Tournament, Preliminary Round

The well-rested Warriors take the ice tonight as the 10th seed in the 2011 Division 3 South Sectional State tournament and face-off against 23rd seeded Silver Lake Regional of Kingston of the Patriot League. 

Medfield has not played a game in 12 days and its last time on the ice, fell to Tri-Valley League champion . Meanwhile, Silver Lake Regional has been busy, playing twice in the past week: beating defending Division 3 South State Champion Scituate, 4-1 on Feb. 23 and tying Abington, 5-5 on Feb. 25. Here's a breakdown of each team:

Medfield: The Warriors finished third in the TVL this season behind Medway, who Medfield has beat twice, and Westwood, who Medfield has lost twice. The Warriors are averaging just under four goals per game on offense (77 goals scored through 20 games) and giving up just over two goals on defense (46 goals allowed through 20 games). That impressive defense starts with goalie Connor Roddy and continues to the back line play of the team's defensemen, primarily Mike Brown. Up front, Jim Magrath, Ben Cox and John Buchanan lead a Warriors offense that can erupt at any time. 

This is Medfield's second consecutive trip to the state tournament, posting an identical record in both seasons with a 12-5-3 clip. In 2010, that record seeded the Warriors ninth in the Division 3 South Sectional State Tournament, while this year that same record has the team seeded 10th. Last year's tournament run ended in the quarter final round. The Warriors defeated Norwell, 7-4 in the first round before losing to eventual state champion, Scituate, 5-1 in the quarters. 

Silver Lake Regional: The Lakers enter the tournament as the 24th seed out of 27 teams after missing out on the dance last season. Silver Lake finished fifth out of seven teams in the Patriot League, posting a sub .500 record in the league (5-6-2). What the team's record does not show is its offensive firepower. The Lakers average over four goals per game (89 goals scored through 22 games) and are led by star Evan Lyons (23 goals, 15 assists, 38 points) and Matt Woodman (10 goals, 12 assists, 22 points). The team's problem this season has been its defense, giving up over three goals a game (74 goals against in 22 games). 

Prediction: The biggest concern for Toby Carlow's Warriors is how they will respond to the time off. Will they be well-rested or rusty? This team is fairly young but should be geared up for a state tournament game and ready to go. This game will feature strength vs. strength. Silver Lake's offense vs. Medfield's defense and whoever wins that battle will likely win the game. I like Medfield's overall game in this one as they are a more balanced squad, showing the ability to play two-way hockey – score and defend. Silver Lake's Lyons and Woodman will pose challenges for Medfield all night but it balances out with Magrath and Cox facing a less than stellar Silver Lake defense. Medfield to win and advance to next round.

Smith's state tournament prediction record: 0-0

Smith's regular season prediction record: 54-15