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The Winchester High boys hockey team (11-9-2) wrapped up the regular season last week with a couple of more close losses (3-0 vs. Catholic Memorial, Feb. 18; 2-1 vs. St. Mary’s of Lynn, Feb. 19), a dominating win (6-1 vs. Belmont, Feb. 14) and a tie (3-3 vs. Malden Catholic in overtime, Feb. 14).
The Red & Black then waited around for the Division 1 state tournament pairings to come out, and last Saturday, Feb. 21, they found out that they are the 17th seed, and are scheduled to take on Wachusett Regional (18-1-1, 16th seed) at Westborough’s Northstar Ice Sports Arena on Wednesday, Feb. 25, beginning at 6:10 p.m.
“We closed out the regular season with a tough stretch of games,” said Coach Gino Khachadourian, “and even though we didn’t end up on the right side of the scoreboard in some of them, we are still playing consistent hockey, which will help provide us a spark heading into the postseason.”
Khachadourian then added: “This is the time we want to be playing our best hockey. It’s important that we are prepared, and once the games begin, play smart, systematic hockey. If we continue to play the right way and stick to our gameplan, good things will (happen).”
In the 6-1 win over Belmont on Valentine’s Day, Joe Vaccari led the way in goals with three. Caiden Brady was next in line with two. Leo Dagostino scored once. Ben Wright was the assist leader with four. Thomas Lisy was next up with three. Gus Gustafson, Liam Connelly and Axel Osborn each setup one goal. Goalie Graham Emerick once again did the job in net, while frustrating the Marauders after coming up with 32 saves.
That decisive win was followed by the 3-3 tie against the Malden Catholic Lancers at Malden’s Valley Forum.
Osborn, Brady and Eli Korgmeier netted the goals. Osborn, Connelly and Korgmeier picked up the assists. Emerick was credited with 14 saves in net to secure the point.
The game against Catholic Memorial was played at the Warrior Ice Arena, the practice home of the Boston Bruins, in Allston, and Emerick was outstanding once again, stopping 36 shots by the Knights (17-2-1), the top seed in Division 1, to keep his teammates close on the scoreboard.
Against St. Mary’s of Lynn, Lisy scored the lone Winchester goal of the game from Connelly and Krogmeier. Emerick was again busy between the pipes, making an astounding 44 saves against the Spartans.
It’s now onto the postseason with aforementioned Wachusett Regional first up on Wednesday night in Westborough.
Joe McConnell is a longtime, award-winning sports editor for numerous North Shore publications. He began covering Winchester sports for the News in November 2024 and is currently its Sports Editor. He can be reached at editor@winchesternews.org.
