Top-Seeded Lions Hockey Braces for Melrose

The wait is nearly over for the Chelmsford High School boys hockey team. The Lions' quest for a championship is set to begin on Sunday.

After a first round bye, Chelmsford ended up with a quarterfinal match up against No. 9 Melrose, which toppled eighth-seeded Arlington in one of just two first round match ups in North Division 1.

Chelmsford, which essentially lost its shot at Super 8 selection when it fell to Central Catholic earlier in the year, settled for the bracket's No. 1 seed thanks to a 14-3-4 record that was just better than second-ranked Winchester's 14-5-3 mark.

Last year the Lions advanced all the way to the tournament semifinal before falling in a shootout to Wakefield.

“I think we’re in a good spot heading into the tournament,” said senior Drew Dawson following the loss to Central Catholic. “If anyone has a good shot, I think it’s us just because we have a couple of guys on the team who have been there before. Last year’s loss to Wakefield hurt. But I think the team we have now is better than the team we had last year.”

This year's playoff opener will take place on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. on the team's home ice of Chelmsford Forum. The winner advances to the semifinal on Thursday at the same venue against either Woburn or Burlington.

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