Christmas Hockey Classic: Goffstown 1 at Concord 6

In the opening minutes of the game, Noah Charron picked a Concord player’s pocket at center ice, cleanly stealing the puck and taking possession. Charron looked up and hit Sebastian Beal in stride with a perfect pass just as Beal hit the blue line with speed. Beal skated down the right-wing and let a quick, hard shot go. The shot was a good one, but Spencer Burgess got enough of the puck to make the save and keep the game scoreless. One minute later, with the Grizzlies in control of the puck and set up in the offensive end, Jacob Noonan made an ill advised pass from the right point, along the blue line, to defensive partner Brett Lassonde. The puck was too hot to handle, and Lassonde also had to deal with the speedy Kyle McKinnon in his space. McKinnon ended up with the puck and broke in completely free, with plenty of speed. He made a nifty move to get Kyle LaSella to commit on his forehand before lifting a sweet backhander up over LaSella and under the crossbar to give Concord a 1-0 lead. Some 92 seconds later LaSella was in place to make two saves before the third, on successive rebounds, was pushed into the net. Without anyone from the Grizzlies there to clear the rebound, or to clear an opposing player, Derek Kelleher scored for Concord with assists going to Devin Philbrick and Michael Stoddard. The Tide were up 2-0 on just 5 shots. A couple of minutes later Concord rang a shot off of the far post, but it slid harmlessly wide. Which brings me to a Christmas thought I had during the game. I noticed that both teams hit their share of posts and crossbars, enough so that the dings and pings, if effectively recorded and arranged, could have given a decent rendition of Carol Of The Bells. Anyways, before long, Goffstown took their first penalty and effectively killed it off. Then it was time for the CBC line to do some work. Griffin Cook worked a pass to Noah Charron who ended up finding Sebastian Beal with space near the net, and Beal buried his third goal of the season. This line has been complimentary of one another since the day they were assembled last season, and they played well this afternoon as well. The opening period ended with Concord leading 2-1.

The second period started before the Grizzlies started playing it. Liam O’Brien blew down the right-wing past Colin Burke and turned the corner towards the net. The shot beat LaSella and Concord scored 47 seconds into the period on their first shot of the frame. Over the next 6 minutes both teams took a pair of penalties each, wrapped around another post rung by the Crimson Tide. Then, while the teams were each four aside, Evan Makris scored for Concord from Philbrick and Liam O’Brien. With the score 4-1, Concord was penalized toward the end of the second period and it looked like maybe the Grizzlies could climb back into the game if they could convert on the power play. Prospects looked good until Derek Kelleher scored a shorthanded goal from out deep with 1:00 minute to play in the period. After two periods Concord led 5-1 and held a 17-10 advantage in shots.

Just a thought on an observation that I, among millions of others, have made over many years of watching hockey and other sports, if both sides/teams/benches/coaches are irate with you; you might be part of the problem, if not, completely the problem. By the mid-point of the second period it was apparent that there were two individuals skating up and down the ice in their own uniforms that had raised the ire from both benches of the game’s contestants. I could be wrong, but so could they. Onward.

The final period was fairly anti-climatic. Goffstown didn’t muster too much of a threat, and when they did, replacement goaltender, Parker Taylor, was there to make the save. Late in the third period Concord’s Colin Kastle skated through the offensive zone like he was in a video game blowing through an obstacle course. Kastle converted the shot attempt against Ethan Smith, who had replaced Madeline Sage after starting the third period in lieu of LaSella. Kastle’s goal was assisted by Jake Sullivan and Cam Lariviere. Concord skated away with a 6-1 win in the end.

Goffstown returns to the ice tomorrow afternoon at 2pm against Hanover (4-0, and another favorite in Division-I) who beat the Bow Falcons 6-2 in the tournament’s opening game earlier this afternoon.

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Christmas Classic:

Updated records.

Goffstown (3-2) @ Concord (4-0)