Canton High girls hockey turns corner with 2 big wins
By Jay Turner
Freshman Lauren Fitzpatrick paced the Bulldogs with 2 goals and 1 assist last week. (Mike Barucci photo)
After scoring just one goal in their three previous games combined — all losses — the Canton High girls ice hockey team snapped out of their midseason funk last week with a pair of shutout wins over King Philip and Ursuline Academy.
The two victories, 2-0 against KP and 3-0 against Ursuline, brought the Bulldogs back to .500 at 5-5-1 and kept them in the hunt for a postseason spot with just under half a season remaining.
For head coach Dennis Aldrich, the best news was seeing the girls put a few pucks in the net, especially after watching them play competitive hockey during their recent losing streak.
“We’ve definitely had our chances — we put up 93 shots in those three [recent losses],” said Aldrich. “In fact, with the exception of the [Duxbury] game and Barnstable a few weeks ago, I’d say we’ve outplayed every one of our opponents.”
Aldrich said the team needs to get physically stronger, and they need to do a “better job of screening and tipping and making it a little tougher on the opponent’s goalies.” However, he continues to be encouraged by the play of the top forward line, which combined for four goals and two assists in their two most recent victories.
Junior captain Rebecca Eckler is the veteran on the line, and she currently leads the squad with 12 points after putting up a goal and two assists over two games last week. Eckler’s two freshmen linemates, Lauren Fitzpatrick and Maggie Malloy, also had a big week offensively and are now tied for second in scoring with nine points apiece.
Sophomore forward Marissa Devane added a goal in the Ursuline win, and several players registered at least once assist last week, including Mary Nee (2), Helen Huang (2), Kendra Farrelly, and Katie Trerice.
The Bulldog defense, meanwhile, continues to improve behind blueliners Nee and Huang and standout goalie Colleen Kelleher, who now has five shutouts to go along with an outstanding save percentage of .930.
“She’s just a fantastic goaltender,” Aldrich said of Kelleher, who seized the job last season as a freshman. “She’s playing even better than last year, and I’m so glad we have her on our team.”
Aldrich said the second defensive pairing of Emily Rizzitano and Trerice have also settled in nicely, while the second forward line of Farrelly, Devane, and Sarah Wilkinson are playing “much better defensively” as of late.
Aldrich said he will need everyone on the roster to step up their game as they prepare for several tough matchups with a tournament berth on the line. As it stands, the Bulldogs began the week needing at least four wins and a tie to clinch a postseason spot, and the schedule doesn’t do them any favors with games this week against Hingham and Duxbury. The girls also have to face Hingham again next Tuesday with another key rematch looming against Barnstable on February 10.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=32286
Posted by Jay Turner
on Jan 29 2016. Filed under High School, Sports.
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