by Andrew Mannix
Boys’ hockey, 7-7-2 have a chance to do something that it hasn’t done since 1998, which is make it to the State Tournament.
“I think we can make it, I really do. Especially with our revamped defensive core,” said senior Cory Chin, a captain with seniors Thomas Gresser and Alex Joyce.
To qualify for the State Tournament, teams must finish with a record of .500 or better. The Tigers will have to win two of their final four games to qualify.
“I think that overall, we have had the most successful season as a program in years,” said Chin.
One of the main contributors to the success this season has been the team’s resiliency. Four times this season, the Tigers have come back from behind in the third period to tie or win the game, with one win coming with 17 seconds remaining.
Their resiliency only in games, but overall the team has fought back when down. Early in the season, the Tigers went through a four game losing streak. Dipping to 2-4 however they have been able to play above .500 since. On Feb. 1, they were still two games behind .500 with a record of 5-7-2. The Tigers have won two straight including blowing out rival Brookline to get to where they stand now at 7-7-2.
Joyce directs the success towards the play of the top line and the return of the captain Chin.
“Everyone had been playing well, but our top line has been producing more goals and scoring chances than at the beginning of the season. Cory Chin is also back from his injury, and has played in the last two games helping us beat Quincy and Brookline.”
As well as the return of Chin and the play of the top line success has come from all over.
“We’ve been getting lots of contributions from our freshmen and the culture in the locker room. The team is a really close knit group from underclass to upper.” said Chin.
If the Tigers can keep it up, they will be in the State Tournament for the first time since 1998.
The four remaining games will be against Framingham tonight, Needham on Saturday, Quincy Monday, and Weymouth Friday, Feb. 21.