Watertown Boys and Girls Hockey Sweep Matinee Games Double-header

On Saturday afternoon at Ryan Arena, the Watertown/Melrose girls' hockey team continued its stretch drive towards the tournament with a thrilling 6-5 victory over Winchester, followed by the boys team gaining a convincing win over visiting Medford.

In the first game, Raiders sniper Erika Kelly carried her squad with four goals, including the game winner with just 30 seconds left. Lauren Giordano also potted her 100th career point in the victory.

It was an ugly start for the host Raiders early, however, as the Sachems took a quick 2-0 lead at the 12:31 and 8:38 marks with shots that found their way through traffic and found the top shelf behind goalie Simone Bailey, who played well.

Kelly got the girls on the board early in the second with her first goal, but Winchester had an answer minutes later to make it 3-1. 

Giordano's big moment came with 3:21 left in the second frame after sending Kelly in on an unbelivable display of athleticism as she dangled through the Sachem zone and ripped a backhander upstairs on the glove side.  Then, with just four seconds remaining in the period, the Raiders tied it up on a power play goal from Meredith MacLeod.

The third period saw the lead change hands four times, as Kelly and the Sachems traded goals. After Winchester knotted the game at 5-5, Kelly found herself on a break away with just 39 seconds remaining, following a solid penalty kill by the Raiders. She walked in and ripped a wrister that went post-and-in to seal the game for her team. 

The Raider girls, who are already in the tournament for the first time, take on Brookline Wednesday and Belmont Saturday before closing out the regular season Feb. 22 in Gardner.

In the day's second tilt, the Watertown boys hockey team took on Medford, and got a stellar performance in net from Alex Hayek, who helped his squad come away with the 4-1 victory.  The Raiders got goals from Victor Pokasov, Brett McManus, Connor Demore and Matt Johnson.

After a scoreless first period, Watertown struck first on Pokasov's goal after a scramble in front. 

Minutes later after several big saves by Hayek during a long penalty kill, McMansus found himself all alone in the slot with a rebound opportunity and he ripped it high blocker side to put the Raiders up 2-0.

The game then got very chippy as both teams defended their crease and were subsequently called for penalties.  The Raiders were forced to kill a 5-on-3 late in the period, and did so thanks to Hayek.

A sloppy turnover from the Raider defense in their own end led to Medford's lone walk in goal with 4:21 left to play in the period, and the teams went to the dressing room with the hockey game still in the balance at 2-1.

Sustained pressure by Watertown and Medford's inability to clear the puck led to the third Raiders goal at 11:23. Demore found himself in the slot all alone and ripped a shot past the Medford net-minder. 

Minuets later Watertown capped the scoring after a slap shot from Johnson directly off the face off to the right of the Medford goalie found it's way through the five hole and gave the Raiders the 4-1 lead.

While the boys' squad's hopes of making the tournament were dashed a few games ago, they will close out their regular season with Whitman-Hanson, Northeast, Newton North and Abington, all at Ryan Arena.