Franklin, MA: Last year’s D3 runner-up hit the gas from the opening faceoff, thanks to a strong performance from the Dickson brothers, and advanced to the Elite 8 with a 5-2 win at Pirelli Arena in Franklin. The Warriors of Wakefield were looking to avenge a tournament loss in 2024 at the hands of the Big Blue, which they did take the lead briefly during the second frame, but the Warriors of Medfield were deeper and quicker in all three zones.
Tri Valley League Small MVP Luke Dickson continued his impressive sophomore campaign early in the first, showing off his athleticism, quickness and skill on his first tally of the contest. Dickson leaped in the air to corral a Wakefield clear in the neutral zone, exploded over the blue line, danced through the defense and beat Wakefield’s David Rocca over the glove for a 1-0 lead. Dickson was the best player on the ice from start to finish, showing a high compete level, urgency in all three zones, and the skill and speed to be a threat any time he stepped on the ice. The first period ended 1-0, but Medfield carried the play, including strong efforts on defense from junior captain Owen Mix and freshman Evan Kemmerer. Kemmerer was impressive on the big stage, showing poise and confidence in his own zone.
Wakefield made some adjustments and came out with some jump in the second. After an over-aggressive attempt by Medfield that led to goalie interference, Wakefield got to work quickly on the man advantage. Junior forward John Scarpello worked the blue line and tied the game 1-1 at 11:15 with a seeing-eye shot from the point. Building off the momentum, Wakefield senior captain JP Casey took a quick up from Brady Walsh in stride, putting the Medfield defense on their heels. Casey’s burst of speed through the neutral zone allowed him to walk in alone, make a deke from left to right before sliding it around the pad of Medfield’s Louie Slesar and a 2-1 lead. The Wakefield lead was short-lived after a holding call was assessed and Medfield went to work. Junior Jack Blake got a stick on Luke Dickson’s point shot to even the score at two. Dickson was not done, as his brother Matt created a turnover off the forecheck, slid the puck to Luke, who made no mistake. The sophomore was involved in all three goals heading into the second intermission with the score 3-2.
Medfield continued to put pressure on Wakefield, controlling play, but Rocca held them at bay, making save after save. Rocca’s luck finally ran out halfway through the third after Wakefield got hemmed in their zone for an extended time. Mix made two impressive plays at the blue line to keep the play going, one landing on the stick of freshman Max Abramson, who found senior captain Matt Dickson at the faceoff dot and he was able to bury it. The uphill battle got a little steeper for Wakefield, now trailing 4-2. Medfield’s offensive zone pressure kept coming in waves, but Rocca stood tall. Casey was all over the ice in the final minutes for Wakefield, but they could not capitalize with the goalie pulled, eventually relinquishing an empty net goal to freshman Avery Stein and putting an end to their season. The Dicksons combined for three goals and two assists in the victory. The Warriors advance to the Elite 8 and wait for the winner of Dracut and Nashoba Regional, which will be played on Monday.
Final: Medfield 5 Wakefield 2
Three Stars:
- F Luke Dickson, Medfield
- F Matt Dickson, Medfield
- G David Rocca, Wakefield