Brian Stone Memorial Christmas Tournament: Goffstown 7 at Manchester Memorial 3

From J.F.K. Coliseum in Manchester, NH:

After Concord shutout Hanover 2-0, in the Brian C. Stone Memorial Christmas Hockey Tournament opener, the second game, between Goffstown and Manchester Memorial started slowly. Well sort of.

The action was actually pretty quick paced, up and down the ice, there were just no shots on either net. Not for more than five minutes of play, no shots on goal. That time even included a Memorial power play opportunity. Then finally some shots started coming for both sides. Goffstown scored first when Alex McCarthy netted his first of the season, from Luke Chase at 6:45 of the period. Roughly two minutes later, Memorial goaltender, Matthew Scott made a sensational blocker save to keep the score at 1-0. Then just 30 seconds later, Kenneth McIntyre ripped a shot up underneath the crossbar past Kyle LaSella to tie the game at 1-1. Parker Burgess had the lone assist on the goal at 9:21 of the period. Then at 11:57 of the period Colby Gamache won an offensive zone faceoff to his right where Sebastian Beal, while tied up with a defender, tipped the puck out toward the right point. Waiting, was Jacob Noonan, who stepped in and let a wrist shot go that beat Scott in the Memorial net to give the Grizzlies a 2-1 lead. Then in the final minute, Grady Chretien worked free for a shot that found the back of the net to give Goffstown two-goal advantage at 3-1 with 30 seconds left in the period. Memorial didn’t quit though and pounded the offensive zone in the final half minute. Kyle LaSella made a gorgeous save, just getting the left toe of his skate to the puck inside the far post to keep Goffstown ahead 3-1 with only 10 seconds left in the period. The Grizzlies held onto the 3-1 lead after one period with a 13-6 tally on the shots chart.

In the second period, the Grizzlies took control of the game, holding Memorial scoreless and allowing just 4 shots in the period, while scoring two more goals themselves. First, on the powerplay, Theo Milianes scored from Brett Lassonde after Goffstown had owned the puck in the offensive end for about a minute straight. Memorial kept coming, and Kyle LaSella made a tremendous positional save, sliding from left to right in anticipation of Memorial’s passing sequence, and kept the lead at 4-1 for Goffstown. Then, at 12:04 of the period Grady Chretien scored his second goal of the game with the assist going to Milianes during 4-on-4 action. After two periods, Goffstown led 5-1 and 21-10 in shots. LaSella would finish the day making 9 saves on shots.

Freshman, James Amorelli took over the goaltending duties for Goffstown for the final period. At 4:25, Grizzlies captain, Sebastian Beal took a roughing penalty on an aggressive, slightly late hit, and gave Manchester Memorial an opening. The Crusaders took advantage 35 seconds later when their captain, Rickie Beauparlant scored from Kenneth McIntyre to cut the lead to 5-2. Goffstown answered at 8:04 with a goal from Eric DesRuisseaux, assisted by Grady Chretien and Jacob Noonan after a dominant shift by the Grizzlies. Goffstown’s Griffin Cook scored a nice goal set by Noonan to make the score 7-2 at 10:55 of the final period. During the same shift though, Memorial scored on a play that James Amorelli probably wishes he could have back. The Goffstown goaltender looked like he extended his pad too far on a shot that appeared to slide under his pad, closer to his body. Maceo Vincent scored the goal, with the assist going to Ethan Fournier. Memorial kept skating and kept the pressure up. They swarmed the Grizzlies and got numerous shots off towards the net. Amorelli made one save to his right which left him well out of position as the puck was centered from behind the net back to his left. Memorial worked the play perfectly except for the brilliant skate/stick save made by Goffstown defender, Melanie Riendeau, right at the edge of the crease, inside the nearside post. There would be no more scoring or penalties, and the Grizzlies finished off a 7-3 win in the tournament opener. Goffstown has now won at least one game in the Christmas Tournament in four of the last five seasons.

In other action:

Concord beat Hanover 2-0. Bedford blanked Trinity 6-0. Bow beat Manchester Central/West 9-1 in the nightcap.

Memorial:

Chase Fudala 2:00 Cross Check

Kenny McIntyre 2:00 Elbowing