Today was the day that the Wellesley High girls hockey players had been working for since the very beginning of the season, as for the 4th time in 5 years the girls skated on the TD Garden ice in the Division 2 finals against Canton. Now both teams were looking to exorcise some demons as the Raiders as many of you know had fallen at the title game three years in a row in 2014, 15 and 16, while Canton was looking for redemption after falling in the finals a year ago. Luckily for Raider fans it would be their teams turn to shine this year as thanks to a late first period goal by Jenna Harrison and a superb defensive effort the Raiders claimed their first state title since 2006 with a 1-0 victory over the Bulldogs. Wellesley Sports Blitz would like to send the biggest of congratulations to the girls on the banner worthy accomplishment.

With less than 24 hours to go till face-off for the girls hockey team, what better time to answer yesterday’s Raider Friday Trivia question. The last time girls hockey faced a public school in a state title game was against Falmouth back in 2015, a 3-2 overtime loss. Here’s hoping tomorrow’s result is much better.

Wellesley native Kate Kerrigan, and Nobles and Greenough alum has been racking up the accolades in her senior season on the Bowdoin women’s basketball team. Not only was Kerrigan named to the first team all-NESCAC team this season along with both player of the year and defensive player of the year honors, but she was just recently named the D3 women’s player of the year by the WBCA. Kerrigan has helped lead Bowdoin to a final four appearance where they will take on Wartburg tonight in the national semifinals. Kerrigan was joined on the all-NESCAC first team this season by another Wellesley resident and Nobles alum Lauren Dillon, who just completed her senior year at Tufts University. On the D1 level Katie Benzan, also a Nobles alum and a sophomore at Harvard currently was named to her second straight all-Ivy League first team after helping lead the Crimson to a NIT berth where they will take on Fordham tonight.

It’s a beautiful Friday morning here in mid-March and that means it is time for another edition of everyone’s favorite tradition, Raider Friday Trivia! Today’s question is…when was the last time a Raider’s girls hockey team faced a fellow public school in a state final? Answer tomorrow!

So yesterday I gave you the Canton preview for Sunday’s state title game, but today it’s time to take a look at your Raiders girls hockey team who prepares for their 4th trip to the TD Garden in 5 years. Here’s a look at how they got there.

Wellesley:

1 seed

18-2-3

GF: 101

GA: 27

Beat Winchester 3-2 in first round

Beat Norwell 6-1 in quarterfinals

Beat Algonquin 5-0 in semifinals

The girls state final hockey game start time for Sunday has been officially announced as a 1 pm start at TD Garden. For tickets and other information go to tdgarden.com. Tonight I will be releasing the Wellesley preview for the big game.

As we count down the hours to the Division 2 girls hockey state final on Sunday, it’s time to take a look at your Raiders opponent the Canton Bulldogs. Canton made it to the Garden last year before falling to Notre Dame Academy in the state final, and surely will be looking for a better result the second time around. Here’s a look at how the Bulldogs got here.

Canton:

2 Seed

18-3-3

GF: 76

GA: 21

Beat Walpole 4-1 in first round

Beat Notre Dame Academy 5-2 in quarterfinals

Beat Archbishop Williams 1-0 in semifinals

With the winter season almost at an end it’s time to start looking back and also to start looking ahead to the spring season, despite what the weather outside may tell you. Starting next Monday, I will be doing 2 posts daily, one reviewing each of the 2017-18 winter teams, and another previewing each of the 2018 spring teams as practices begin. The following week I will post each spring teams schedule for the new season. Lastly in terms of girls hockey I will post game time information for Sunday as soon as it becomes available and tomorrow and Thursday I will post short previews of both Wellesley and Canton as they get ready for the D2 final.

The Raider girls hockey team stood one step away tonight from another trip to the TD Garden for the state finals, potentially their 4th in 5 years. How fitting that their state semifinal battle with Algonquin would take place on the practice ice of the Boston Bruins at Warrior Ice Arena. Could the girls earn that trip back to Causeway Street and another chance at a state title, lets find out!

Result for 3-12-18

Girls Hockey: Wellesley 5 Algonquin 0 D2 Semifinals

Girls advance to face Canton Sunday in state finals!

With just one team remaining in this 2017/18 winter season instead of giving a complete weekly schedule I’ll just give you the info you need to know for girls hockey big D2 semifinal game. The girls will play Algonquin tomorrow at 6 pm at the Warrior Ice Arena in Brighton, with the winner moving on to the state finals on Sunday to take on the winner of Canton/Archbishop Williams. Tune in tomorrow night for the Raider Recap as we will find out if the girls were able to punch a ticket to Causeway St. for the 4th time in 5 years!