Medfield High Hockey Teams Battle Divisional Foes Today

The  boys' and girls' hockey teams are lacing up their skates Saturday and taking the ice against division opponents in what, at least on paper, appears to be two very good games on tap.

Girls' Hockey:

Franklin (5-2, 5-1) at Medfield (7-0, 5-0) Iorio Arena, Walpole, 8 p.m.

This is a showdown of the two best teams in the Southeastern North League. First-place Medfield (7-0, 5-0) and second-place Franklin (5-2, 5-1). One division loss separates the two teams, this has the makings to be a great hockey game. 

The Warriors have been the surprise of the season. First-year coach Molly Norton has her team playing  and as a result is unbeaten on the season. Medfield has been led by Amanda Cronin's ability to handle the puck and put it in the net (12 goals in seven games) and goalie Mimi Borkan (two shutouts last week). The Warriors will need every bit of effort from their two cornerstones as well as consistent play in their defensive zone and sound puck movement in the offensive zone from other talented players like Nicole Reardon. 

Prediction: Norton said after her team's win last Sunday against Lincoln-Sudbury that her team was nervous before the game of losing. The Warriors' coach reminded her team that the regular season is no place for a perfect record and that the real focus is to improve and make the tournament. Medfield players may be feeling the pressure of their current winning streak but the team still went last Sunday and beat Lincoln-Sudbury handedly. This is undoubtedly Medfield's second biggest game of the season - first was an early season victory over division powerhouse Canton. Franklin is a tough team and its record shows it. If you're looking for something to do on Saturday night, this is it. Show Big Blue some support in what is expected to be a great, close game. Got to go with the home team riding a winning streak. Medfield to win by a goal. 

Boys' Hockey:

Dover-Sherborn (1-1-1, 1-1) at Medfield (5-1-2, 3-0-1) Veteran's Arena, Franklin, 12:30 p.m.

The Warriors have had a week off to rest after a busy first week of 2011. Medfield is unbeaten in four games (3-0-1) since the calendar turned to January and will look to keep that point streak going against Tri-Valley League opponent, Dover-Sherborn today at 12:30 p.m. at Veteran's Arena in Franklin.

Medfield and Westwood sit atop the TVL standings, both 2-0 in the league. Dover-Sherborn sits a game back at 1-1, according to games reported to the Boston Globe.  The Warriors latest victory on the ice came last Saturday against TVL foe Hopkinton. Medfield got two goals from Jim Magrath and a solid effort from backup goalie Johnny Monahan, who replaced an injured Connor Roddy in the second period of a 3-1 win. Players to watch: Medfield's Jim Magrath's playmaking ability is always worth the price of admission. Look for him to be involved, putting the puck in the net or setting up his teammates for points. Goalies Connor Roddy/Johnny Monahan. With the week off expect Roddy to be healed and ready to go, but if he's not, Monahan is more than capable of standing between the pipes, as he showed last week against Hopkinton. 

Prediction: A good, divisional matchup on a Saturday afternoon. Medfield is on a roll and has handled its TVL portion of the schedule thus far. Look for them to improve to 4-0-1 in the league with a close victory over the Raiders. Medfield to win.

Smith's season prediction record: 13-1.