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After starting the season with three straight wins, the Winchester High School boys hockey team is all even after 10 games with a 5-5 record.
They dropped their last four games to Belmont (4-1), Arlington (3-2), Woburn (3-1) and Hingham (5-3).
But on Dec. 28, the Red & Black doubled up Reading, 4-2. Chris McCarthy led the way with a hat trick. Thomas Casey notched the other lamplighter. Caiden Brady (4), Axel Osborn (3), Jack Burkhart (1) and Max Vozzella (1) were credited with assists.
“This was a big win for team momentum,” said Coach Gino Khachadourian. “It was a good test for us skill- and structure-wise, because Reading is a top-ranked team in the state, and we were playing them at their rink in front of their home crowd.
The environment and the hostility at the rink proved to be a motivator as our players were up for the challenge.
“We were able to generate offense right away, as we used our speed and structure to our advantage, while also maintaining our defensive game plan,” added Khachadourian. “We were able to limit our turnovers, which limited their scoring chances. Overall, our team played a full 60 minutes of hockey that resulted in a big-league win.”
On New Year’s Eve, the Winchester boys shutout Malden Catholic, 3-0. Caiden Brady (1), Nick Romanos (1) and McCarthy (1) accounted for the goals, while McCarthy (1), Osborn (2), Jonnie Garmey (1), Dayton Ogden (1) and Brady (1) set up those scores.
“We were able to carry our momentum from the Reading win right into this game,” said Khachadourian. “We controlled the play throughout most of the game that created quality offensive chances, which led to goals. We continued to play with discipline, which proved to be the difference in this game.”
The first game of the new year was against Belmont at Woburn on Jan. 4, where they dropped a 4-1 decision. Garmey netted Winchester’s lone goal of the game assisted by Casey and Osborn.
“This was another game where we started off strong, controlling the play, but were unable to capitalize on our chances,” said Khachadourian. “We continued to play a structured game to maintain sustained pressure on the Marauders, but had trouble finding the back of the net. I did like our compete level in the first period, but periods two and three did not show up in our favor. You have to compete for three full periods in every game, and that’s what we are trying to instill in our team.”
According to the Jan. 14 MIAA (Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association) Division 1 power rankings, the Red & Black is seeded 11th.
The aforementioned Reading Rockets are ranked second with a 6-1 record, their lone loss was against the Red & Black. The two teams will meet up again on Saturday (Jan. 18) at Woburn’s O’Brien Rink, starting at noon.
The Winchester boys will then host Wakefield in Woburn on Wednesday, Jan. 22, beginning at 5 p.m.
Boys basketball explodes past Melrose
The Winchester High boys basketball team (8-1) keep on winning, including a 75-48 win over visiting Melrose on Jan. 14.
Jack Charchaflian led the way for the Red & Black with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Carson Sarpong was next in line with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Alex Casey (13), Harrison Burbine (12) and Dawson English (10) also enjoyed significant offensive games.
“The game was tight at the half, but we were able to open it up early in the third,” said Coach John Fleming. “I thought our defense picked up and made a few good adjustments (during halftime) to limit the looks of one of their players, who hit four threes in the second quarter.
“To have five players in double figures shows some really good balance,” added Fleming. “That is not an easy thing to do in a high school game. It really creates a challenge for opposing defenses.”
Since the Melrose blowout, the Winchester boys got by Lexington, 67-64 on Jan. 10, before taking down host Wakefield earlier this week on Jan. 14, 75-52.
As of Jan. 14, the Red & Black is ranked 11th in Division 1, but that was before the aforementioned win over Wakefield.
They will be at Reading on Friday night (Jan. 17), starting at 5:30 p.m., before coming home to host Watertown Tuesday night, Jan. 21, at 6 p.m. They will then be at Burlington on Jan. 24 to take on the Red Devils, which also begin at 6 p.m.
Girls hockey shuts down Lexington
The Winchester High girls hockey team (4-3-2) shutout Lexington on Jan. 15, 4-0.
Junie McCabe scored the first goal from Kamiya Hendricks and Josie Chang). Clare McCabe lit the lamp for the first time in her varsity career assisted by Ellie Parks and Julia Legere. Madelyn Rabinovich lit the lamp from Chang and Chloe Goldberg.
Goldberg closed out the offense with a goal from Sonia Carnes and Madelyn Rabinovich. Goalie Claire Zhang made 27 saves to help secure the shutout.
The Winchester girls will play host to Reading in Woburn Saturday (Jan. 18), starting at 2 p.m. They will then be at Lynn’s Connery Rink on Martin Luther King Day (Jan. 20) to take on non-league St. Mary’s of Lynn, starting at 2 p.m., before going back to Woburn to face Wakefield two nights later at 7 p.m.
As of Jan. 14, Winchester is ranked 17th, but that was before the shutout win over Lexington. The Top 32 teams automatically make the postseason. There are a total of 45 teams in Division 1.
