MARBLEHEAD — Marblehead’s boys hockey team (3-10-1) is finding its groove and pushing for a Division 3 state tournament spot toward the tail-end of the season.
First-year coach Brendan Locke looks to implement a new culture with the Headers.
“The expectations were to go out and play hard as a team and try to set a new culture of playing smart, hard, discipline hockey. We definitely started out a little slow, but as the season progressed, I couldn’t have been more proud of these student athletes,” he said. “They have come to the rink every day and worked hard with a great attitude. They go out and try their best every day.”
The Headers recently put together a four-game unbeaten streak that included a tie against Peabody/Saugus/Swampscott, as well as wins against Danvers, Masconomet, and Gloucester.
“We really pride ourselves on finishing and playing the whole game. We’ve come back in games and had great third periods, and that just shows the resilience and attitude of the team. They’re just competing every day and on every shift,” Locke said. “The beginning of the year probably stemmed from the lack of varsity experience and playing a lot of minutes. Making that adjustment took some time, but as the season has gone on, I think they’ve done a great job understanding what it takes to win. That one more pass, one more shot, one more save — it goes a long way.”
When asked about the unbeaten streak, compared to earlier stretches of the season, Locke was quick to answer.
“It’s the old adage: playing as a team. It was the team playing as a five- and six-man unit as we’re on the ice. They’re really taking into the structure that we’ve put in place and all the players buying in. [It’s] between that and the players’ mentality of wanting to beat the other guy to the puck.”
Locke spoke highly of captains E.J. Wyman, Hayden Gallo, and assistant Kellan Laramie.
“They’ve done a nice job. In the beginning of the year, we had our struggles and they did a nice job of keeping the team on an even keel and making sure that we didn’t get too low,” Locke said. “We were 0-8, but we didn’t feel like an 0-8 team and that’s a testament to the leadership that we have on this team. Everyone was positive and looking forward to the next game and next practice.”
One player who’s been hard to stop all season has been sophomore Teddy Dulac — the team’s leading goal-scorer. Locke praised his practice mentality and the way he pushes himself.
“Teddy has a really good attitude to the game. He comes to practice and pushes the other players, and he practices at a really high level and that translates to the game,” Locke said. “His puck skills and stick skills are excellent and I would put them up against anyone in the league. He has a tremendous shot and he’s starting to — especially in the second half — learn how to put that all together and understand how to use his linemates, as well as how to use his own skillset to get in front of the net and get shots off. He is definitely one of our athletes who, kind of, drives the bus when it comes to setting the tone.”
Eyes are set on the postseason as the Headers look to crack the top 32 (automatic qualification). As of Tuesday’s rankings, Marblehead ranked No. 34 (Div. 3).
The Headers take on Peabody/Saugus/Swampscott Saturday. Puck-drop is slated for 4 p.m. inside of McVann/O’Keefe Rink in Peabody.
