The Chelmsford High School boys hockey team was ready to earn redemption for last year's shootout tournament loss. Unfortunately for the Lions, upstart Melrose had other ideas.

No. 9 seeded Melrose upended top-ranked Chelmsford, 3-1, in the quarterfinal round of the North Division 1 postseason on Sunday at Chelmsford Forum.

"Whatever their game plan was, it worked for them. Unfortunately for us, our offense dried up on us," said head coach Mike McGrath. "The good part is, they're good kids. And they'll learn from it and grow from it."

Despite losing a strong group of seniors, including 100-point scorers Drew Dawson and Tommy Bishop, McGrath said he believes the program will continue to blossom behind a core of returning skaters.

"I don't see why we would go backwards. The kids now know what it takes," said McGrath. "We still remember losing in the shootout last year, so that makes this that much harder. You can't look past an opponent. If they were worried about who we would play next, that was a big mistake."

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