Written by Press Release: November 24, 2013
November 17: Oyster River 0 @ Kearsarge 3
Over this past week, the Kearsarge Bantams played two more games after their opening day 0-0 tie versus Henniker. On Sunday, the 17th Kearsarge hosted Oyster River. Then yesterday, the 23rd, the Bantams left home ice at Proctor Academy to play a road game versus the Monarchs at Tri-Town arena in Hooksett.
On Sunday, the home team Bantams built upon the previous days’ teamwork when they scored the season’s first goal just 19 seconds into the game. Matt Jarvis scored the goal which was assisted by Sebastian Beal and Max Phillips. Once again, the team played as a unit, moving together, skating to the proper areas of the rink in order to better defend, as well as position themselves for offensive opportunities.
In the second period, Kearsarge struck for two more goals. The first goal of the period was scored by Max Phillips, his goal was set up by Matt Jarvis and Carter McClean. It was only a few minutes later when Kearsarge scored their third goal of the game. This time it was Carter McClean scoring the goal, and Sebastian Beal providing the lone assist.
There would be no more scoring in the game and Kearsarge had recorded its’ second shutout in as many days, this time, with a 3-0 win. Alfie Rylander, Nicole Kimptis, Noah Newton, Nick Ducharme, and Ashley Thompson all contributed in team fashion to help goaltender Corey Henault secure his second shutout in as many efforts.
November 23: Kearsarge 1 @ Monarchs 3
Saturday morning the Kearsarge Bantams made their way to the Tri-Town Arena for a road game against the Monarchs. This collection of Bantams from various communities, mostly small ones, gathered to play their first road game. The Monarchs were 4-0 in Granite State Hockey Tier IV play entering the game yesterday.
After one period of play there was no score and both teams spent most of the period clogging passing and skating lanes. Neither team really maintained puck possession in the offensive zone for very long. Although, Kearsarge had the better of the chances early on, they could not get a puck to the back of the net.
It took only 16 seconds of 2nd period action for a goal to be scored. Kearsarge broke the ice after the opening faceoff. Sebastian Beal retrieved the puck at his own blue line before carrying the puck up the right-wing boards, and sliding a pass ahead to Matt Jarvis. Jarvis took the pass in stride along the boards, at the offensive blue line and beat the defenseman to the outside before cutting back toward the net and scoring the games’ first goal. Just a couple of minutes later, the Monarchs took advantage of an ill-timed pinch in by the Kearsarge defense, and managed any easier breakout that led to their first goal. The period would end with a 1-1 score in place as both goaltenders made nice saves to keep their teams tied.
In the 3rd period, the Monarchs players looked fresher and soon this caught up with Kearsarge. The Monarchs scored two goals in 29 seconds and put the game away. The final score would remain at 3-1 in favor of the Monarchs. Kearsarge just could not get any sustained offense going for most of the day, certainly as the game wore on. The legs that had moved easily earlier in the week to the spots on the ice that made team play look effortless looked a little tired on Saturday and the play looked laborious. Even so, the team skated to the last whistle and Corey Henault made saves, literally to the final whistle as time expired. Yes, it was a loss for the team, but more than a defeat, it’s an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to come back better next time they’re on the ice.
Kearsarge, has today (Sunday) off and will play next on Saturday, November 30, at Oyster River. The game is at Jackson Landing Rink and will start at 5:30pm.
On a separate note, the team and parents shared some nice team-bonding time after the loss on Saturday, when they all met to eat and relax at Pizza Man in Hooksett. Thanks to all for coming out.