Scrappy effort falls short by a goal.
- Feb 8
- 3 min read
One thing is clear about this year’s team: they don’t quit. Six one-goal losses and two more effectively decided by an empty-netter would be enough to sink most teams. Down 4–1 late in the second period in their most recent outing against Medford, this group refused to go away.
The game couldn’t have started much better, as the Minutemen struck first with a short-handed goal that instantly energized the hometown Lexington crowd. Ryan Jenness stripped the Medford defenseman at the point, fought off a relentless back-checker, and—despite being tripped—roofed the puck over the Medford goalie for an opening tally.
That lead was short-lived, as Medford tied the game at 1–1 just minutes later, capitalizing on a loose puck in front after a breakdown in Lexington’s net-front coverage. The remainder of the opening period was evenly played, with both teams trading chances, and the first ended knotted at one.
The opening nine minutes of the second period belonged to Medford, as they struck three times to extend their lead to 4–1. While the scoreboard suggested otherwise, the play was far more even than the score indicated. Trailing by three, Lexington did what it has done all season — dug in and went back to work.
Over the final six minutes of the period, Lexington tilted the ice and spent extended time in Medford’s zone. That sustained pressure carried over to the power play, and with 1:50 remaining, senior captain Dylan Lane pounced on a loose puck in the high slot and snapped a shot stick-side over the goalie’s pad, pulling Lexington within two heading into the second intermission.
If the opening stretch of the second period belonged to Medford, the entire third period was all Lexington, as the Minutemen relentlessly pressed to claw their way back into the game.
After a Medford point shot generated a fortunate rebound off goaltender Timmy Rinaldi, senior defenseman Coulson Roy collected the loose puck. Connor O’Leary alertly recognized that Roy had possession and immediately took off up ice. Roy delivered a perfectly timed stretch pass that O’Leary took in stride, springing the junior in alone on a breakaway. O’Leary made no mistake, burying a shot mid-high—in the spot above the goalie's pad and under his glove—to pull Lexington within one.
With the deficit cut from three goals to just one, Lexington turned up the heat. The Minutemen hemmed Medford in their own zone for extended stretches, forcing Medford into numerous icings just to relieve the pressure. During that span, Medford’s goaltender stood tall, making a series of high-quality saves to keep his team ahead. In the final minutes, Lexington pulled goalie Timmy Rinaldi in search of the equalizer. The Minutemen generated multiple quality chances in the final 60 seconds but couldn’t find the tying goal.
While the results haven’t fallen Lexington’s way this season—particularly in these one-goal games—the Minutemen have been in virtually every game. Some seasons, one-goal games break in your favor; this year, they haven’t.
Anyone who’s watched this group knows they’ve been a tough out over the last 10 games. Credit to the boys for continuing to battle, compete, and play hard every night.
Next game this Wednesday, 7:15 PM at Hayden vs. Cambridge.
