Hockey: Goffstown 5 at Portsmouth-Newmarket 2

After a nighttime scenic tour to some of the ice rinks in the NH Seacoast area, the Grizzlies settled into Dover Ice Arena to play the Clipper Mules of Portsmouth-Newmarket. Despite some less than aesthetically pleasing play for periods of time, Goffstown willed their way to a 5-2 road win over a team just behind them in the standings.

Thankfully, the game had a 9:00 pm, or west coast, start as I call it, so everyone had ample time to complete the rink scavenger hunt before the puck dropped. The game was scheduled at 8:30 pm but started just before 9:00 pm Eastern time. With the late start, several players missing, hurt or recovering from sickness, and no games since January 16th, Goffstown found a way to win on the road.

The home team, coming off of a 2-0 shutout of defending champions, Keene, scored the first goal of the game. Portsmouth-Newmarket (Port-New) got on the board at 4:12 of the period when Andrew Madden put a puck past Kyle LaSella on a set up from David Blodgett. Goffstown took some time to figure their line and defensive combinations while trying to keep the deficit at one goal. The Grizzlies had to kill a penalty first though, which would be a theme throughout the night. After killing the penalty and then failing to score on the first of their two power plays, the Grizzlies finally broke through. First, Grady Chretien fired a quick shot from the slot on a beautiful pass play, but the puck rang loudly off of the post and went wide. Then, Colin Burke took a pass from Colby Gamache after he had collected a rebound from a Brett Lassonde shot, and let a shot go from the left point through a maze of players that found the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1 at 12:37 of the period. Less than a minute later, on just their 4th shot of the game, the Clipper Mules scored again. This time the home team had offensive zone possession time and worked a shot from the left point that was saved but then came out to Andrew Madden who was left free enough to follow up with a shot of his own and beat LaSella. I had the first assist coming from Fred Holmes, but the game sheet handed assists to Ryan Higgins and Nick Shultz. Goffstown would go to the visitor’s dressing room trailing 2-1 despite holding a 9-5 advantage in shots.

Goffstown followed up their first-period effort by spending 7 minutes shorthanded during a span of just 8:24 of game time. Almost unbelievably, the Grizzlies took advantage of the disadvantage and netted, not one, but two shorthanded goals during this time to take a 3-2 lead. First Colby Gamache picked someone’s pocket and walked in to rifle a wrist shot by Brad Weit in goal for Port-New at 8:21. Then Grady Chretien made a tremendous move to get Heit out of position and score the eventual game-winner at 11:36. As if they couldn’t get enough, the Grizzlies took another penalty in the final minute to ensure starting the final period, also, shorthanded. It might also be worth mentioning that highly touted defenseman, Fred Holmes, was on the ice for both shorthanded goals against for Goffstown. Actually he was on the ice for 4 of Goffstown’s goals, and the other goal, he was in the penalty box for. He was a minus on the evening.

Goffstown survived the penalty that spanned the intermission. Just to continue their work on special teams the Grizzlies took another penalty right after the other one ended, at 2:02. Port-New returned the favor 24 seconds later and the teams skated 4-on-4 for a while. On the night, Goffstown got a huge effort from 6’5″ defenseman and alternate captain, and he helped again with a brilliant pass up ice to Colby Gamache. Gamache took the pass in stride and deposited another great shot into the twine to give the visitors a 4-2 lead at 3:21. A few minutes later Griffin Cook wiggled himself free to the slot area and cranked a shot off of the post. Then it was Kyle LaSella’s turn to shine, as Brett Lassonde and Colin Burke mishandled a pass between them, in their own end. Nick Shultz took the gift and went right to the net with the puck. LaSella shut down the breakaway bid and held the score at 4-2 with less than six minutes to play. As a matter of fact, LaSella gave up 2 goals on the first 4 shots he faced, and then shut the door, saving 20 shots in a row to close out the game. After a timeout at 10:12, and then pulling their goalie with 2 minutes to play, Colin Burke grabbed his second goal of the night when he cut the opposing net in half with an accurate shot at the open net from his own end. Goffstown led 5-2 and held on to earn the win on the road. The Grizzlies are 5-1-1 on the road during the regular season.

Goffstown returns to the ice tonight, at the friendly confines of Sullivan Arena at St. Anselm College, tonight at 7 pm, against Spaulding.

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NHIAA Hockey:
Updated Records:
Goffstown (7-2-1)
Portsmouth-Newmarket (5-4-1)

Dover Ice Arena, Dover, NH
January 25, 2019. 8:55 PM Start:

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Summary:

Goals:

Goffstown: 1-2-2 = 5
Portsmouth-Newmarket: 2-0-0 = 2

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Shots:

Goffstown: 09-09-07 = 25
Portsmouth-Newmarket: 05-09-10 = 24

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Scoring:

1st Ports-New at 4:12. Even. Tim Durkin from Andrew Madden and David Blodgett.

1st Goffstown at 12:37. Even. Colin Burke (4) from Colby Gamache (18) and Brett Lassonde (10).