Only up from here ... we hope!

One can only hope that last Monday’s loss to Cambridge marked the low point of the season—and that the only direction from here is up. As it stands, the Minutemen own the 39th-best record out of 40 Division 1 boys varsity teams, with only winless Westford Academy—ironically a playoff team last season—below them. The reality is even bleaker in the MIAA Power Rankings, where LHS sits 40th out of 40—yes, you read that right, dead last, as Westford’s tougher schedule places them ahead despite having no wins.

These are the kinds of results typically associated with programs lacking talent year after year, or programs that have to carry lots of 8th graders just to field a team—basically teams that expect zero to three wins a season as their norm. That simply isn’t who LHS is. While not an elite program, the Minutemen have a solid core of players, making the current record both surprising and frustrating.

Close losses don’t change the standings. A close loss to a 7-1-1 Shawsheen team, one-goal loss against a good Concord-Carlisle team are both still losses. Similarly a one-goal setback to a Medford team that now has a 7-2 record is still a loss. While being competitive is important, competing alone isn’t enough. That’s why the recent loss to Cambridge stands out as so disappointing. Cambridge came in to that game with a 1-3-1 record, with its lone win against a very young Somerville team that had struggled mightily on both ends of the ice scoring only 7 goals while giving up 40. Adding to the frustration, Cambridge followed its win against the Minutemen with a 2-1 loss to Bedford two nights later—a Bedford team the Minutemen easily handled only a few games back in the Battle Road Classic.

So here Lexington sits at a spot no one ever imagined ... 1–8 through nine games. Let that sink in 1-8! If you took a preseason poll of the worst case expectations 9 games into the season maybe you'd hear someone say 3-6, but certainly no one would be saying 1-8! There was simply too much returning talent— along with a proven, veteran goaltender to be 1-8!

There are many factors that have contributed to the current record, but the primary issue has been the allocating of ice time. You simply can't allocate equal ice time at the varsity level the way it's done at the youth level. That approach simply doesn’t work—as most teams (especially public schools) don't have a deep enough roster to play everyone. To survive and thrive almost all teams typically play three forward lines and four to six defensemen. And even within that structure, ice time is heavily weighted toward the top two lines and top four defenseman.

Dylan Lane skates past a Melrose defender in an early season game at Bentley.

That’s the reality of varsity athletics: performance drives opportunity. Players who earn a coach’s trust, make plays, and limit mistakes are rewarded with responsibility. Unfortunately, somewhere along the 2025–26 season, that meritocratic approach appears to have been replaced by a youth-hockey model of equal ice time—and the win-loss results reflect it. As games wear on, lower lines inevitably become overmatched when they get matched against an opponent’s top lines which are getting more ice time.

Players on a varsity roster who still need development should primarily do that work in practice. Practice provides the environment to sharpen skills by competing against top lines—without the cost of in-game mistakes or being placed in situations where they are overmatched. For some players, supplemental JV games can and should be part of that process, providing meaningful minutes that complement varsity practice time. Those reps help build confidence and game awareness that can gradually translate to the varsity level. It’s a dual development path, and when used correctly, it benefits both the individual player and the team as a whole.

This may sound harsh, but it reflects reality. In sports—just like in life—not everyone reaches the same level at the same time, and some never do. There is a hierarchy, and advancement is earned through consistent improvement, preparation, and performance. For some players, that progression happens quickly; for others, it takes multiple varsity seasons and offseasons of real commitment—both on the ice and in the gym—before they become truly impactful. That is the standard, and that is the sacrifice required to be a varsity player.

Until the Minutemen begin allocating ice time the way our opponents do—by concentrating more minutes among the top performers—winning will remain difficult. Anyone who has competed at a high level knows there’s no worse feeling than repeated losses. It drains energy, chips away at confidence, and turns coming to the rink into a grind instead of something players look forward to.

Hopefully, over the next eleven games, we see meaningful changes. Many players have invested months—and years—into developing their craft, and it’s frustrating when that work isn’t supported with a legitimate chance to win. The solution isn’t diluting top lines by asking a few players to compensate for one weaker linemate, nor is it penalizing responsible players by forcing them to cover for teammates who don’t bring the same level of detail, effort, or commitment in all three zones. That approach only limits the impact of your best players.

The answer is straightforward: play your best nine forwards and lean on them, with heavier ice time for the top six. Apply the same logic on defense—play your best five or six, but overweight the minutes for your top four. It’s that simple: get your best players on the ice as often as possible like virtually every other team in MIAA hockey. While this may not suddenly turn LHS into a playoff team at this point, it will lead to more wins, fewer mistakes, and games that are far more enjoyable to watch.

After a two-week stretch without games—a break far too long—the boys will get their first opportunity to redeem themselves this Friday at BU’s Walter Brown Arena against Brookline in the Travis Roy Jr. Beanpot.

#LexGo