The Walpole Girls Hockey team has their first playoff game Wednesday, February 24 at 8 PM at Iorio Arena. The Rebels, ranked 17th in the Division 2 State Tournament, will be facing Medfield, ranked 16th, in what should be a very close game. The Warriors are in the West SEMGHL Conference, which is not as strong as the Bay State Conference that Walpole plays in.
The Warriors and the Rebels have two common opponents, Canton and Milton. Against Canton, both Medfield and Walpole had similar dismal outcomes. Medfield played Canton twice during the regular season; the Big Blue lost 7-2 early in the season, and then 2-0 towards the end. In the last game of the Rebels season, the girls lost 4-1. On the other hand, Walpole handily defeated Milton, whom Medfield lost to in their first game, twice during the regular season.
The Rebels ended the season with several difficult games that helped to prepare them for the tough competition that is sure to come in the playoffs. Despite losses in their last two games, the Rebels played well in both games and have showed great improvement and development throughout the season.
Last year in the playoffs, the Rebels had tremendous success, and made it to the quarterfinals, where they lost to a formidable Falmouth team in a shootout. Walpole hopes to replicate their performance last year, and even move on further into the State Tournament.
