Time to turn the tide ...
- LHS Boosters
- Jan 1
- 3 min read
One thing has become clear over the past two games: this is a different Lexington team. That shift was especially evident against Concord-Carlisle, where—despite a 2–1 loss—the Minutemen delivered their most complete performance of the season. The defense and goaltending were strong, and the forecheck showed real pace, urgency, and sustained pressure. Those improvements have resulted in a 1–1 stretch that feels far more encouraging than the record alone suggests.
Looking ahead, the next five opponents currently carry a combined 8–16–4 record (38% winning percentage). While the Minutemen can’t afford to take anyone lightly, the upcoming schedule is, at least statistically, far more manageable than the opening slate, where the combined record of the teams played is currently 20-6-1 (76% winning percentage). Extending the view even further, Lexington still has three additional opponents with losing records, creating a real opportunity to build momentum and potentially get on a roll.
However, an easier schedule alone won’t be enough. Sustained success will require a collective commitment from the entire team and a disciplined, one-game-at-a-time mindset. Just two years ago, Marblehead opened the season 0–6 before flipping the script with a 12–3–1 run down the stretch, finishing 12–9–1 and then winning three playoff games to capture the Division III state championship.
To be clear, the Marblehead comparison isn’t meant to suggest that LHS can replicate that exact run—but rather to reinforce a critical point: there is still a lot of hockey left to be played.
What the boys need to get rolling
In short:
Cut out unnecessary penalties, especially undisciplined ones like cross-checks and slashes
Defensively, all five players must be committed to protecting the net front and limiting high-danger chances
On the forecheck, forwards must pressure quickly, force turnovers, and disrupt clean breakouts
If this team commits to playing hard every shift, every period, for a full 45 minutes, the season still has the potential to turn sharply in the right direction.
And that commitment has to go deeper than words. It means no passengers. Every player who jumps over the boards—whether for ten shifts or just one—must bring maximum effort, intensity, and accountability every time. Given the slow start, the margin for error is gone. There’s no room for a flat game—and not even a single flat shift.
Defensive Zone Focus
In the defensive zone, the priority must be keeping the crease clear so our goalies can see shots and control rebounds. Simply standing beside an opposing forward isn’t defending. Defensemen need to physically move bodies from the front of the net and deny opponents uncontested access to prime scoring areas.
When the puck goes behind the net, defensemen can’t lock in and puck-watch. Vision has to stay active—heads on a swivel—maintaining awareness not only of the puck below the goal line, but also of opponents drifting into dangerous space higher in the zone.
Offensive Zone & Forecheck
In the offensive zone, the forecheck has to be relentless. There can be no flying into the zone for the first 20 feet and then easing up before engaging the puck carrier. When forecheckers sit back or fail to apply pressure, they make the game far too easy on opposing defenses. Simply put, you can’t force turnovers or create offense without sustained pressure on puck retrievals and breakouts.
Additionally, the team needs to get to the front of the net and create second-chance opportunities. Too often, shots are coming from low-danger areas. The Minutemen need more pucks on net and more traffic in front to generate quality scoring chances.
The opportunity is there. Now it’s on the team to come together, execute in these areas, play hard, and play for one another. The first chance to do that comes this weekend against Medford, Saturday at 4:00 PM at the LoConte Forum.
LexGo!!!!!
