MYH NEWS STORY

The Melrose Youth Hockey Bantam A team skated to victory in the Mass Hockey District 10 tournament last Sunday, January 6, 2008 at the LoConte Rink in Medford, MA.

After receiving a first round bye the Melrose squad faced off Sunday morning against Reading. In the first period Reading scored on a screen shot from the slot past Melrose goaltender Ryan Fay. It was the only goal that Fay would give up all day.

The Bantams responded with two goals in the second period with CJ Hanson getting an assist from Devin Murphy and then Murphy scored with assists to brothers CJ and Paul Hanson on the power play. The defense kept the Reading team at bay with fine play from Blaise Healy, Terrence Cosgrove, Brett Barbati and Andrew Madigan. Matthew Clougherty won several key face-offs in the defensive zone while the team was short-handed. CJ Hanson completed the scoring in the third period with an empty net goal with an assist from Healy for the 4-1 victory.

The Bantams moved on to the finals against Wakefield Sunday evening with the second and third lines contributing to the 5-0 shutout win. Patrick Briatico scored two goals in the second and third periods for a 3-0 lead that sealed the win. Mike Ioffredo completed the scoring with an assist from Charlie Brickley.
Cam Morgan picked up two assists and the line of Mathew Mahoney, John Lavasseur and Brickley kept the fore-checking pressure on Wakefield all game. Goaltender Fay was outstanding in recording the shut-out.

As District 10 Champions the Bantam A team will compete for the Mass Hockey State Championship slated for March 14-16.