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Fishermen finally healthy with tourney around the corner

Wednesday, February, 20 By Nick Curcuru
Correspondent

At first glance, the Gloucester hockey team's 13-4-2 record looks outstanding.

Look a little closer and a Northeastern Conference championship and a tough schedule that includes wins over NEC powers Peabody and Danvers (twice), and out-of-conference wins over Martha's Vineyard and Arlington makes the Fishermen's performance look even better. What is most remarkable about the Fishermen's record is the fact that they have played just two games all season with a completely healthy roster.

Junior tri-captain Josh Salah (wrist, leg), junior goaltender Bradley Robertson (shoulder), and junior forward Jared Toye (mononucleosis) have all missed significant time this season due to injury. The bug had caused Gloucester to run primarily two lines all season, leading them to frequently run out of gas at the end of games.

Fortunately for Gloucester, it is now healthy for the first time since the second game of the season, and it is starting to get hot at the same time, outscoring opponents 17-4 in its last three games. The thought of a healthy Gloucester team is bad news for their Division 2 counterparts, who it will meet shortly when the state tournament begins.

"We haven't been healthy all season but we've done a good job dealing with it and not letting it affect us too much," Gloucester tri-captain Paul Russo said. "Now we are healthy and it gives us a boost mentally and physically knowing that we are dressing a full roster, which is big heading into the tournament."

The most important aspect of the Fishermen's new found health is the addition of a third line. Gloucester had been using its third line sparingly all season. But the combination of returning players, and improved play from fill-ins such as Dylan Morrissey and Marc Buotte have allowed the Fishermen to use a third line more often.

The Fishermen showed a glimpse of a third line in Monday's 6-2 win over Arlington, with Morrissey, Ryan Drizen and Tyler Quince putting forth a solid effort. The addition of Toye, who is slated to return tonight against Dennis-Yarmouth, will make the line even stronger.

"We're going to be able to skate three solid lines now," Gloucester head coach Don Lowe said. "We can also put out a line to come out after penalties. We're getting more players on the ice now and it's going to help us out a lot." Salah stressed that the extra rest for the top two lines will be vital if the Fishermen are to make a deep tournament run.

"(Having three lines) is huge because it gives us more rest time," Salah said. "We have had two games all year with a full roster, so being healthy now is huge because we will be as fresh as possible when we get to the tournament."

The Fishermen's health could not have come at a better time with the state tournament right around the corner. Lowe joked that they could have used the players months ago, but he has to be happy with the way his team is coming together. After a little slump which saw Gloucester go 1-4-1, the Fishermen have rebounded and are playing their best hockey of the season, just in time to welcome back their injured comrades.

"It's good to get our stride back just before the tournament," Russo said. "We have won some big games even when we weren't healthy. But everybody has been stepping up and we are playing great hockey."

Great hockey is just what the Fishermen need to play in the state tournament, and at least one Fishermen player believes that they will be able to make some noise with the team they are putting on the ice.

"We are going to take off with all of our players back," Robertson said. "We are going to be a tough team to beat."r