He arrived a few days late, and it?s unclear whether he shoots righty or lefty. But everyone associated with the Marblehead/Swampscott girls? hockey team is thrilled at the arrival of William Henry Ries at 12:07 a.m. on Feb. 24.
William is the first child for Marblehead/Swampscott girls? hockey coach Emily Hudak Ries and her husband Jason Ries. William weighed in at 8 pounds, 14 ounces, measuring 21 ? inches long.
But the timing of young Ries? arrival kept his mom from coaching a first-round playoff game against Lincoln-Sudbury on Feb. 25.
It was difficult to miss the game, Ries said. But, her brother Erik Hudak took over against the Lincoln-Sudbury. Goalie coach Gary Bartlett pitched in, with help from assistant coaches Larry Healy and Kathryn Homan, one of Ries? former players.
?We?re a big family, this team,” Ries said.
?I went into labor and sent the girls an e-mail on Monday (Feb. 23) that I wouldn?t be at the game and wished them the best.”The Magicians — who clinched a playoff spot on the last day of the regular season by beating Matignon — raced out to a 2-0 lead in the playoff game. But they gave up six straight goals to 14th-seeded Lincoln-Sudbury, bowing out and wrapping up their season at 9-9-4.
?As far as the game went, I was on top of it, but it was definitely hard to not be there,” Ries said. “Even though I wasn?t at the game, I was checking Facebook, checking texts, the parents were keeping me updated on the game. I was on top of it, but it was definitely hard to not be there.
Hudak just completed her 10th season behind the Magicians? bench after a standout playing career, first at Cushing Academy then at Ohio State.
?It was a very exciting season for us,” she said. “We started out in December unbeaten, we hit a rough patch in January against some tough competition, and bounced back in February to make the playoffs.
?Coming down the home stretch needing to win to make the playoffs, the girls came in extra focused, really committed to making the playoffs.”
Senior co-captains Caroline Hughes and Aly Hopkins are moving on. But expectations are high for next season with 16 skaters expected back.
Despite requests from several of her players to have the baby after the playoffs, Ries said it was time for William to make his debut.
?Everyone associated with the team has been fantastic,” she said. “They?ve decorated the locker rooms, given me gifts, had a baby shower for me. It?s just been a wonderful experience, on the ice and off the ice this season.”
?It?s been such an exciting season, from beginning to end. Everyone?s been wonderful. And Jason and I are incredibly excited.”Scot Cooper can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @bscooper60.