Magicians Skate Toward States

Today Marblehead High hockey goes for a hat trick of sorts against rival Swampscott — three wins in a single season.

But when the puck drops at 5:10 in the Div. 3 North semifinals in Chelmsford, the entire season is on the line.

The winner earns the right to continue on the road to the state championship.

The Magicians earned the right to play in the semi-finals and their 18th victory of the year on Saturday defeating Rockport 4-2 in the quarterfinals.

Senior Ian Maag, posted a hat trick, netting three goals in the game.

Marblehead coach Bobby Jackson told the Salem News after the game that the earlier wins against Swampscott go out the window.

“Anything that happened before this is irrevelant,” Jackson told the Salem News. “We know Swampscott has something to prove, and we’ll have to match their intensity.”

Swampscott advanced to the semis with a convincing 10-1 defeat of St. Joseph Prep earlier on Saturday in Stoneham. 

The other two teams remaining in the North Div. 3 tournament are Shawsheen and Bedford. The No. 1 seed in the tournament, Lowell, was ousted in a shoot-out (4-3) against Bedford.

The Magicians received a bye in the first round of the tournament by virtue of their No. 2 seed and 17-5 season record.

And the Big Blue also received a bye in the tournament's first round by virtue of its No. 3 seed and 15-5 season record.