Press Release: February 2, 2014
February 1: Kearsarge 1 vs. Twin Valley 3 (Proctor Academy)
Just before high noon, the Bantams of Kearsarge played their first of two games on Saturday, February 1st at their home rink on the campus Proctor Academy. Their opponent was a now familiar, team from Twin Valley. In recent weeks, Kearsarge had played this team tough but could not manage to gain a victory. In my opinion the separation between these two teams, and the desired result for Kearsarge hinged largely on execution. Granted, I have not seen Twin Valley play any team except for the Bantams of Kearsarge, and I would still say the talent levels of these two teams are not all that different. Game one of the day came and went and Kearsarge didn’t earn a victory in this game versus Twin Valley either.
The word structure means …construct or arrange according to a plan; give a pattern or organization to… and the word execution means …the carrying out or putting into effect of a plan, order, or course of action. Opposites of the words structure and execution include words like, disorganization and disregard. Now I am not trying to be negative here. Rather I attempt to make a point that might help explain multiple losses against a team of similar talent over a small period of time. Twin Valley plays with structure, and although, like kids at this age and skill level, they don’t always execute, the structure from which they base their attempt to execute allows for error while providing a stabile system they can rely on; to a player. Do they have the best skater, the best passer, the best scorer, or best goaltender on every shift or even on any shift? No, they don’t. Sometimes they might, but their talent isn’t always the difference, and perhaps a lot of the time, their talent may not stand out. However, when their forwards attack the offensive zone, three-wide time after time, or all five of their skaters actively engage in defending their own end, or when they set a play and win a faceoff right to the defenseman in the space between defenders, it’s more often the execution of a plan, a structured plan. Like a building which is often times referred to as a structure, not every board in the walls is perfect yet when structured properly and a plan is even loosely executed the building stands. It shelters. It would take effort, or planning, or both, to take it down. So also do I see this analogy of the uphill climb the Bantams face against a team like Twin Valley.
Kearsarge actually scored first, when Matt Jarvis scored on a feed from Noah Newton with 0:50 left in the opening period. The goal was a power play goal. After 2:09 played in the second period, Kearsarge trailed 2-1. Twin Valley would go on to win 3-1 after notching a goal midway through the final period.
Kearsarge did not play poorly, nor did their effort or energy lack. I noticed the start of a squabble among the Kearsarge players as they challenged one another to be better about length of shifts, positioning, and team play. Personally, I thought it to be good, as the class in self correction 201, usually can only be taken after completing self awareness 101. As we know, within the function of a team, a healthy team, that is human, real and cares for one another, challenges arise, and if handled properly, improvement ensues.
With this thought process elaborated upon, maybe too much so, and my parallels drawn on just one man’s perception, I will switch gears.
Let’s look at positives that I see. Again, this is my own perspective, but there are always two sides to a story. Maybe this isn’t the blunt format that some would like to read, but here goes. In no particular order, I mention the roster from today’s first game.
Max Phillips – A Pee Wee that plays up with the Bantams when he can. He has a good scoring sense, knows where to be on the ice, and isn’t afraid to go back to his own goal line to rescue the puck.
Kevin Kiernan – A solid defensive player who sees the ice really well, even with the puck on his stick. He has excellent offensive skills and isn’t afraid to show them when the time calls for it. Personally I love the fact that he has learned the art of a well delivered hip check. Oh I remember the days of Scott Stevens and Ray Bourque along the boards.
Nick Ducharme – I understand that he has never played hockey before. Good for him, out there trying as hard as he can on every single shift. He looks to move the puck along, maybe out of lack of confidence in his own skills, but he gets a lot of assists, so where he moves the puck is often the right progression and timely as well.
Ashley Thompson – Probably leads the team in Penalties in Minutes, and I love it. She is not afraid to challenge anyone. She sticks up for her team, and calls herself and others out on execution. Too me, she plays with passion, and every team needs some of that.
Kirsten Westerberg – She is smaller than most of her opponents but she skates and will get after the puck. She looks to pass to the open player, and if you watch her for a little while, you realize that she skates pretty well.
Matt Jarvis – He leads the team in goals, break away chances, and skating through people while moving the puck up ice. He can be the hardest player on the ice to contain from goal line to goal line, especially early in shifts or on special teams.
Sebastian Beal – He generally makes good decisions with the puck. He knows where to be and continues to improve in the area of anticipation. He has more offensive skill than he usually lets show, and always defers to defending his goal and goaltender first.
Noah Newton – Might lead the team in chances to score around the paint. He doesn’t always get the goals but the puck seems to follow him. He has created goals for himself and others just because he worked harder and wanted it more than his opponent.
Corey Henault – He has played every minute of every game this season, in net. That’s harder to do than people realize. He plays well often, and plays even better when the odds are stacked further against him. He has made some sensational saves this season, and his goals against average (GAA) is minuscule.
Nicole Kimtis – May be one of the fastest straight line skaters on the team. Many a defender has been surprised to see her charge up ice with speed to get to a loose puck. She has a good shot that is seldom played clean by the opposing goaltender.
Alfie Rylander – He has played defense and forward, both effectively. He is a good skater and in most games would win my “Best Hustle Award”. I don’t actually have an award, but if I did, he would win it a lot. He has a good shot, knows where to be on the ice, and never gives up on a play.
Agree. Disagree. Either way, it’s all about the kids. And even though everything in sports is measured, as it should be, there are a lot of positives out there. This would include the fact that our kids are out there playing a team sport and hopefully learning some skills they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
February 1: Kearsarge 0 vs. Cardigan Mountain School 3 (Proctor Academy)
Game two of the day saw Cardigan Mountain, and their roster that requires two team buses, defeat the home team 3-0. Cardigan scored a goal in each period enroute to the road victory. The game was physical as most games against Cardigan are. The two teams combined to serve more than 30 minutes in penalties.
Kearsarge had good energy and played hard, but it was clear to me that the visitors had improved mightily in the area of defending their own end of the ice. Kearsarge didn’t give up a lot of chances really, but they received even fewer chances.
I have limited my word count on game two, simply because I may have worn out my welcome if you’re even still reading this far into the recap. Worth noting though, is that Carter McLean returned to action today in the second game after being out for several weeks with an injury. He took a pretty good check on his first shift back and stuck with it, finishing the game, and working to get his legs back under him.
On a separate note, I wanted to thank the Rylander’s for opening their house to us all on Saturday afternoon as there were a few hours in between games at Proctor. I enjoyed the nourishment and the conversation with everyone. I hope somebody got a good picture of the players gathered together and enjoying lunch together. Good times. Memorable times.
Thank you for sticking with me.