Written by From J.F.K. Coliseum in Manchester, NH: Goffstown 1 vs. Hanover 7.
Today was a gorgeous sunny day near 50 degrees in the city. The first game of the day at the third day of the Brian C. Stone Memorial Christmas Hockey Tournament was Goffstown vs. Hanover. The crowd was smaller but the rink was bright and the festive sense of the holidays was evident.
Sage Photo
I generally consider myself to be an optimist. The silver lining for the Grizzlies coming out of this tournament is that so many of their younger players were able to get significant ice time against good structured teams with relentless speed and pressure. The goaltenders were worked out more than anyone could have imagined. The Grizzlies played each of the games without three of their top forwards and a solid defenseman. So there was a lot of learning to be done in a short time, against good teams.
Jen Webber Photography
Sage Photo
For example on the goaltending front: Junior, Madeline Sage played 45:00 minutes in the tournament and faced 45 shots, making 38 saves (84.44%). Sophomore, James Amorelli played 20:34 and faced an astounding 39 shots, making 32 saves (82.05%). Freshman, Jake Webber played 69:06 and faced 57 shots, making 52 saves (91.23%). In total, the Grizzlies faced 141 shots in 3 games, allowing 19 goals. The goaltender’s made a whopping 122 saves! Their combined save percentage was 86.52%. Considering the depth chart that was forced into action on one of the steepest learning curves they’ll ever face, it could have been much worse. Goffstown faced Trinity, Bedford, and Hanover who are a combined 5-1 in Division I play so far this season. There is no question that these three teams exposed the defensive coverage lapses and communication breakdowns, over and over again. A total of 11 Goffstown 1st or 2nd year players played substantial minutes in this tournament. That combination showed it’s holes in these three games, but it also may prove as a blessing down the road.
Hanover took a 3-0 lead after one period with a tap in goal on a great passing play, a breakaway goal, and a rebound goal after a brilliant first save by Maddie Sage while shorthanded. Goffstown equaled their highest shot total in a single period during the tournament with 7.
Jen Webber Photography
Jen Webber Photography
In the second period, Sage made 15 saves on 17 shots and was outstanding. The two goals she allowed were a tap in goal at the goal mouth from a great pass, and a shot that bounced off of traffic and landed on a Hanover stick. Any thoughts of getting back into this one may have been dashed when the Marauders scored 30 seconds into the period on a perfect pass play with the pick of two wide open forwards waiting by the crease. The Grizzlies did strike for a power play goal when Jack Wilkinson scored from Colby Gamache at 6:47 of the period.
Hanover scored two goals just 51 seconds apart to force running time with a 7-1 lead and more than 10 minutes left to play. Ben Plottner made 13 saves on 14 shots in the game for Hanover. Spencer Lawe and Jack Gardner each had 3 assists. Cameron Woods had a goal and an assist, while Patrick Daley had 2 goals and an assist in the win.
Goffstown returns to regular season action on Friday, January 3rd against the Division I Windham Jaguars (0-2) at Sullivan Arena, St. Anselm College.
December 28, 2019. 12:07 PM Start:
Jen Webber Photography
Summary:
Goals:
Goffstown: 0-1-0 = 1
Hanover: 3-2-2 = 7
Shots:
Goffstown: 07-04-03= 14
Hanover: 15-17-13 = 45
Jen Webber Photography
Scoring:
Special Teams:
Jen Webber Photography
Hanover Power Play: 1 for 1.
Saves:
Goffstown: Maddie Sage 38 of 45. (45:00)
Hanover: Ben Plottner 13 of 14. (45:00)
The beginning of every article. (C) 1inawesomewonder 2017.
The thoughts and opinions expressed here are those of the individual contributors, mostly mine, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the schools, coaches, players, or characters listed in any of these blog posts. Or, maybe they do, but you would have to ask them directly. Either way, “It’s a great day for hockey” ~ the late “Badger” Bob Johnson.