Durfee Hilltoppers - Varsity Hockey: Video Clips/Pictures: Durfee Defense -Two Tough
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Durfee defense - two tough
TIM GEARY, Herald News Staff Reporter February 17, 2002
One displays a flamboyant, almost swashbuckling, style of play, featuring rink-length rushes and spectacular plays.
The other is more prone to stay at home, remains quietly in the background, but is like a force field when opposing players attack his zone.
The Durfee High hockey team is back in the state tournament after a year's absence and, while there are many reasons for the Hilltoppers' success this year, two of the most compelling are 'The Ministers of Defense', senior defensemen Josh Medeiros and Kevin Marques.
Both of Durfee's M&M boys have been varsity regulars since their freshman year, contributing to two straight state tournament teams before last year when Durfee missed qualifying by a game.
This year they, along with Matt Bourassa, have assumed the role of team captains and they have taken the role seriously, choosing to lead by example.
"Last year the seniors on the team were always getting on everyone's backs whenever they did anything wrong," said Medeiros, who spent the first three years of his high school career as a forward.
"We're more laid back. We try and help out the younger players rather than just yell at them."
Marques looks at it a bit differently.
"I always looked up to the seniors and tried to imitate them," he said. "Any leadership qualities I might have I got from watching those guys and trying to learn from them. Now that I'm a senior, I think it's important to set a good example for the younger guys."
Durfee went into Saturday night's game against Attleboro with a record of 11-4-2 overall and the championship of the Big 3 Conference safely tucked away.
During the course of their high school careers, Durfee has won two conference championships and has qualified for three state tournaments.
"To date, Josh and Kevin have helped Durfee to a .684 winning percentage over their careers," said Hilltopper coach Steve Maurer. "We have a record of 50-23-3 since they arrived as freshmen. What coach wouldn't take that?"
Balance is perhaps the best adjective to describe the Toppers, and it starts with the defense.
Senior goaltender Jameson Hart has posted a stellar season with a goals against average of 1.64.
Going into last night Durfee had scored 69 goals and allowed only 29. Five times the Hilltoppers have shut out the opposition. Three times they've limited them to one goal and three times two.
Medeiros, who teams with sophomore Kyle Cusick and Marques, who is paired usually with junior Nick Bellany, share a strong mutual respect for each other.
The duo have been together on the Hilltopper varsity since freshmen and spend a great deal of time on the power play and penalty killing units.
"We have good chemistry," said Marques. "One person stays back and covers for the other person who creates the plays."
"We know each other so well that I know what he's going to do and he knows what I'm going to do so we don't get mixed up," said Medeiros.
Marques says he doesn't mind being the guy who does the covering.
"It doesn't matter to me who gets the glory. For me that comes from defending our goal and keeping the puck away from our net. Josh makes things happen."
Medeiros says he knows if he does rush the puck that Marques will be back there.
"You know he's a guy you can always count on," said Medeiros. "He'll never let you down. I know that I can take a chance because Kevin is back there and I've gotten to feel the same way playing with Kyle."
Maurer says that having these two on his club is an honor.
"I can only say that they have my utmost respect for all they have done, the commitment to winning, being respectful and true model representatives for Durfee hockey."
He doesn't mince words when he describes this duo.
"Kevin is by far the best all around defenseman in the area," he said. "He is a true leader who gives you 110 percent each game he plays."
He pointed out that Medeiros' willingness to go back on defense when he could have been a 20 to 25 goal scorer as a forward showed his commitment to the team.
"I knew in my heart that Josh would have loved to play forward on the first line and asking him to convert to defense might be a big letdown for him," he said. "But, to the contrary, Josh told me that he had played defense in juniors and that he would accept the challenge of converting to defense for Durfee. I knew then that Josh was a leader."
Medeiros went into last night with four goals and 12 assists. Marques had a pair of goals and seven assists.
Maurer says to throw stats out the window.
"They do things that you can never measure in statistics," he said.
Marques has played the entire season with a torn muscle in his left shoulder, which will require surgery when the season ends.
"He's playing hurt and he just keeps going," said Medeiros. "You know that he's really hurting but you can't tell by looking at him until it gets so bad it nearly knocks him out. He's only missed a couple of shifts all year."
Marques admits the shoulder hurts. "I just try to play through it. The doctor has given me the okay because the damage has already been done."
The two personalities are different.
Medeiros is more open, more likely to say what's on his mind.
Marques is reflective, quiet.
"But when something needs to be said," said Medeiros, "he'll tell you and you'll listen."
Both M&Ms admit they get a little protective of their goalie.
"Anyone goes near him they know they're going to get hit," said Medeiros.
"We have a great relationship," said Marques. "(Hart) is part of the defensive team. We always talk. We have great chemistry."
Marques takes it personally when his team gives up a goal and he's on the ice. He said it's also a time to make sure that the goalie knows he's not sitting on a lonely island.
"It's important to make sure the goalie keeps his head up because most of the time it's not his fault," he said. "The first person everyone looks at after a goal is the goalie, but often it's the result of us making a mistake."
These two make mistakes, but they don't make many of them.
Maurer, who will step down as the head coach after this season, says it will be very difficult to replace his 'Ministers of Defense'.
"I don't know who will step up to fill their shoes," he said. "Hopefully their influence has rubbed off on other teammates and some players will come to the front, accept the challenge and pick up where they have left off."