Mustangs light the lamp early and often to beat Everett in the opener

The Medford High School boys’ ice hockey team was so excited to finally hit the ice that they decided to take a 16-point spot on the scoreboard at the season opener.

Medford defeated Everett 16-3. Last week’s game was a long-running game for the Mustangs, who essentially started their season about three months later than normal due to COVID-19 precautions. Most of the other hockey teams in Massachusetts have finished their season and are now in Fall II or football, but the Greater Boston League has created its own schedule based on pandemic guidelines.

And that means it is now hockey season for Medford.

“The first game went as expected, but there is definitely more that can be improved,” said captain Donald Davis, who scored two goals in the opener. “We moved the puck very well and gave all children, from seniors to newbies, the opportunity to put the puck on the net.”

Fellow captain Shawn Nestor had a hat trick and Sean MacGilvray met up with Tyler Taddia and several others.

“The strength of this team is that we are very closely connected and have great chemistry that allows us to move the puck very well and know each other’s tendencies,” said Davis. “Areas that we want to improve are our positioning in the defensive zone. With time and practice, we will make it through with no problem. “

Goalie Conner Carreiro, another captain, took the win on the net.

“The first game went as we had hoped,” said Carreiro, “but we still have a lot to do after we haven’t played for so long.” I think our greatest strength is our chemistry because most of us have been playing together for years so we know what tendencies towards each other are. We always try to improve everywhere, but I think the biggest areas that we focus on now are positioning so everyone knows where they need to be and what their job is on the ice. “

Nestor said the effects of the delayed start to the season could definitely be felt. He loves to play hockey again, but it will be a lot more fun when the team gets in shape, he added.

It is certainly a challenge to have to wear a medical mask under the hockey helmet.

“The mask is terrible,” said Nestor. “It feels like it’s taking half of your breathing out of you. Our trainer [Shawn Bates] and AD [Robert Maloney] got together to get us the masks attached to our cages so they are better but nothing like playing without one. “

Nestor said he’s trying to teach the younger players how fun high school hockey can be when there aren’t that many restrictions.

At the moment, he and his fellow captains are just happy to have an ice sheet to play with.

“I think the big thing we’re trying to get all the other kids across this season is not to take anything for granted because you never know what can happen,” said Davis. “Even if we don’t have a tournament this year, we’re playing to get the most out of this short season and have fun while we still have the chance. Having a long year off was difficult, getting back to where we needed to be, but being back and having a season is definitely exciting. “

Carreiro said it feels great to be free on the ice after a long year, but it also feels weird at the same time that the Mustangs are late for their season.

“It is definitely a challenge to play with a mask because it makes it difficult to breathe when we’re tired or because it just slides up and covers my eyes. This can be a challenge when I don’t have time to put it back down. Said the goalkeeper.

“With the MIAA tournament in sight, I think the next big thing we play for is to win all of our games and get the most out of this unique season.”

The hockey mustangs competed against Everett again on Tuesday, March 16, in their place after the press deadline, before taking on the Revere co-op team at Revere’s Cronin Rink from 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 20