Warriors Hockey Teams Lace Up for Divisional Showdowns

Medfield has a pair of great hockey games on tap Wednesday, featuring the top two teams in the Tri-Valley League (boys' hockey) and the Southeastern North Division (girls' hockey).

Boys' Hockey:

Medfield (12-4-3, 9-2-2) at Westwood (12-1-1, 10-0)
Canton Metropolis, Canton, 8:30 p.m. 

So they meet again. The Warriors and Wolverines face-off tonight in Canton nearly a month after in Franklin. 

That loss was Medfield's first in the TVL and paved the way for Westwood to win the league title at 10-0 entering its final game of the regular season. The Warriors still have much to play for in the regular season finale, needing a victory to hold off Medway for second-place of the TVL and to make a statement against the league's best that they too, can be considered in that elite hockey class. 

"Tonight, we need another strong game from Jim Magrath, not in terms of offensive production, but by doing all the little things and working hard, which makes him the player that he is in this league," said Medfield coach Toby Carlow looking into tonight's match-up with the Wolverines. "Overall, we need the same effort tonight [we had Tuesday against Medway] to get by a very good Westwood team. We need to play an aggressive and smart game and get pucks and traffic to the net. If we can do these things and get another strong performance from Connor [Roddy] then I think we can beat them."

Prediction: Medfield has struggled down the stretch finishing games, blowing a four-goal lead against Dover-Sherborn, resulting in a tie last week, and losing to Ashland over this past weekend. The Warriors, put those struggles behind them Tuesday night with a 4-1 victory over Medway, returning to form and playing excellent hockey. 

"It was a big win [Tuesday] and a it was a win we definitely needed to get us back on track," Carlow said. "In the second period our hard work and continued pressure from all lines broke them down and we dominated play. In the third, we continued to play very hard despite getting some penalties. We got a great effort in net from Connor Roddy, who made 37 saves keeping us on track when Medway put on the pressure."

Ben Cox netted two goals against Medway and John Buchanan and Jim Magrath (empty netter) also scored for the 4-1 victory, a huge win in a battle for second place in TVL. While, this game means a lot more to Medfield than it does Westwood, it is clear from the Jan. 22 meeting that these two teams don't really like each other too much and everyone plays hard on both sides in a rivalry game. Expect a close game and a tremendous effort from Medfield, but the more experienced Westwood squad to edge the Warriors. Westwood to win. 

Girls' Hockey:

Medfield (13-1-2, 11-0-2) at Franklin 10-5, 10-3)
Veteran's Arena, Franklin, 4 p.m. 

This is a huge game for the Warriors as it all but locks up the Southeastern North Division with a victory this evening. Second-place Franklin took Medfield to the brink of defeat on Jan. 15 before the Warriors pulled out a 4-3 victory. The Warriors have maintained first place in the division throughout the season and will look to defend its position atop the standings once again when it takes the ice today. 

Prediction: Goalie Mimi Borkan has literally been the backbone of this team's success, playing outstanding hockey in net and keeping other team's players off the scoreboard. Medfield has played in a lot of tight games as of late and this one shouldn't be any different. The team's leading scorer, Amanda Cronin will be called on to provide the offense and play solid defense – per usual – and Nicole Reardon and Meara Stack will be leaned on to make plays in the critical stages of close games. Franklin is a strong team, but Medfield – to this point – is a bit stronger. Medfield to win a close one. 

Smith's season prediction record: 48-11