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'Senior moments' could pay huge dividends for Headers

Thursday, March, 13 By Mike Grenier
Staff writer

Jackson Barber's friends are getting ready to play spring sports at Marblehead High. He's not part of that group.

No disrespect intended, but he doesn't want to be part of that group for a few more days.

"We still have games to play," said Barber, who will be in the starting lineup tonight (6 p.m.) when the Headers hockey team takes on Scituate in the Division 3 state semifinal. "Sometimes it feels like it's not happening. We're going to Worcester (DCU Center) and that's the biggest building I've been to in my life.

"It's a blessed thing for this to happen to us."

Barber isn't being melodramatic, just appreciative. In a season where he and Eric Fader are the lone seniors on a team that could've been "rebuilding," Marblehead (14-10) has secured its place in school history by winning its first Division 3 North title and has stayed alive in the hunt for its first state championship.

It's been a wild and wondrous tournament journey for the Headers, a 12th seeded team that has won a shootout, an overtime contest and a pair of 1-0 games so far in the postseason.

Just when it appeared that momentum had reached a peak for Marblehead, the team got the best possible news earlier this week when Fader was medically cleared to play tonight.

Fader, the team's second-leading scorer (10 goals, 8 assists), had his left elbow dislocated in a freak accident as Marblehead celebrated its postseason win over Boston Latin Academy. He missed the following two playoff games, but has made remarkable improvement since last week.

"I honestly didn't think I'd be able to play," said Fader, who will be wearing a special brace and an oversized elbow pad tonight. "I was told I would not be able to step on the ice for the rest of the season, but the swelling went down and Dr. (Mahlon) Bradley checked me (again) and said I could play. It's a huge step for me."

Marblehead coach Bobby Jackson said that Fader could start tonight's game on a line with leading scorer Andrew Bates and Barber. Fader admitted he was a little winded at practice on Tuesday and understands that he may not play every shift, but the adrenaline alone may change the picture.

"Eric will be introduced (with the starters) and it'll be a motivational lift for the team," said Jackson. "We'll play it by ear once the game starts."

With eight freshmen on the roster, Jackson values the contribution of his two seniors both on and off the ice. The coach didn't designate captains prior to the season, but Barber and Fader have been told they can put it on their resumes in applying to colleges.

"It was an (odd) class when those two kids came out for hockey as freshmen," said Jackson. "They were the only freshmen (to try out) and they made the team and have been with us for four years. We made the state tourney three out of their four seasons, and their experience has helped out. This year they've risen to the top of the pile as far as leadership goes."

Fader demonstrated that leadership even when he was injured, igniting his teammates with thoughtful speeches before the tournament games against top-seeded Trinity Catholic and No. 2 seed Concord-Carlisle. Both games turned out as 1-0 victories for the Headers.

"Fader is an amazing hockey player," said Barber. "He's been pretty much the heart of this team. He wanted it as much as anyone (after dislocating his elbow).

"He gave us the most inspiring speeches before our last two games. They were the best speeches we ever heard. It was stuff like, 'Play it like it's your last game,' and it's not about being the best (individually), it's about being a team. He reminded us to work together."

On the ice, both players have made radical changes that have heavily impacted the Headers, who got off to an 0-4 start. A defenseman since his youth hockey days in town, Barber was switched to forward following an early-season loss to Peabody.

"I was optimistic about the move," said Barber. "You do whatever it takes to help the team. I thought that if skated and worked hard, nothing bad would come out of it."

Marblehead became a different team with Barber up front. A better team, said the coach.

"Barber's speed, size and coverage ability made our lines go," said Jackson. "We thought he had his best game of the season against Concord-Carlisle (last Friday) because he was aggressive on offense and backchecked effectively. Because he's played a lot of defense, we can use him in a man-down situation.We have that flexibility."

Fader's turnaround was more cerebral than physical. He was guilty of too many penalties early in the season, putting the Headers on the defensive. His improvement in staying out of penalty box has been "night and day," according to Jackson. Fader himself thought a change in his play was absolutely necessary.

"A lot of people talked to me about it," said Fader. "I came to realize that the hype of acting like a tough guy wasn't worth it. It's about scoring goals and helping the team."

Fader and Barber have already helped stretch the season much longer than anyone had any right to expect. The DCU Center in Worcester tonight is a beautiful reward. A state championship game at the Boston Garden Sunday afternoon would be even better.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity," said Fader.