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CANTON | The branding on Marblehead co-captain Tori Snow's electric blue hockey stick reads "Warrior." There isn't a better word to describe Snow and her teammates' near Herculean effort last night in the Division 2 state semifinals.

Marblehead High girls hockey coach Emily Hudak won't cross the line and say that her team is on fire right now, but she comes close.

"We've been making some smoke," said Hudak.

The coach will surely add the word "fire" to her description if 13th-seeded Marblehead (12-7-2) can knock off undefeated and top-seeded Milton (16-0-3) today in the Division 2 semifinals at Canton (5:30 p.m.).

Senior captain Tori Snow had two goals and an assist as the Marblehead girls hockey team upset host Franklin, 4-3, in the first round of the Division 2 girls hockey state tournament.

Snow is now tied for the North Shore lead in girls hockey scoring with 16 goals and 31 total points.

For the six seniors on the Marblehead girls hockey team, tonight's Division 2 North state tourney contest against Franklin has been five years in the making.

Having played together since they were 8th graders when the team was founded, the seniors class has brought the program a long way - from a brand new club to a state tourney qualifier three straight years and the North Shore's top public program to be exact.

The only thing colder than the toes of the spectators inside Kasabuski Arena last night was the deep freeze Marblehead goalie Moe Bradley laid on host Beverly's offense. Behind 24 stops from the sophomore netminder, the Lady Headers handed the Panthers a 4-0 defeat.

It's going to be a memorable weekend for sports fans around the North Shore, without question. There's Saturday night's boys hockey showdown between Peabody and Gloucester, in addition to the usual weekend slate of on-ice match-ups. Who could forget that the Patriots will look to bring their perfect season to the Super Bowl in Sunday's AFC Championship showdown against San Diego?

If goose eggs truly are a goaltender's best friend, then Marblehead's Moe Bradley must be one of the most popular girls on the block. The emerging sophomore star has held the opponent scoreless in three of her seven starts this season by collecting three shutouts.

Last year's record: 14-6-2 (lost in Division 2 North quarterfinals)

Coach: Emily Hudak (3rd year, 24-13-6)

Key returnees: Tori Snow, Sr., Center; Samantha Weinstein, Sr., Defense; Ashley White Sr., Forward; Moe Bradley, Soph., Goalie; Courtney Colantuno, Jr., Forward.