Written by From Sullivan Arena, St. Anselm College, Goffstown, NH – Monday, January 25, 2021
Trinity scored later than earlier but quite often en route to their first win of the season at Goffstown. At least I think it’s their first win because getting accurate information on anything that is NH high school hockey this season is not easy. The Grizzlies kept coming at the Pioneers, but the combination of Anthony Dizillo and Quinn Booth in the 3rd period alone, was too much to overcome.
Trinity skated away with a 9-4 win on the ice sheet (which will be disappearing soon) over at St. A’s. I never thought I would say this but the powers that handle arena and game presentation in 2021 over at Sullivan Arena could stand to learn, or remember, a few things by watching the game at Tri-Town arena this past Saturday night. They played the National Anthem. There were starting line-ups announced, music played, goals, assists, penalties all announced. Even some actual living, healthy, people went to the game, I could see them on video. Apparently it never occurred to some folks that the kids themselves (the reason the sport even exists in schools) might actually enjoy hearing our National Anthem before competing, or hearing their name called over the speaker system. These moments don’t last for very long and each of us can attest to just how fleeting these high school years really are. While I am thrilled that the kids are actually able to play games at all in this over-reactive world we live in, I believe that all of us could work as hard at this as the players do in crafting their skills on the ice.
I may have grown up in Londonderry, but nowadays I am always happy to see Grizzlies gather. (Sage Photo)
So, as Goffstown played their second, and last, home game at Sullivan Arena of the 2021 campaign, they did learn a lot about themselves last night. They learned that they have a roster full of kids willing to get up and down the ice as fast as they can, whether they match the opponents skill or not. It’s a healthy team that is filled with players who are just aching to take the spot of someone ahead of them on the depth chart.
I need to be honest too, and say out loud that I cannot begin to put myself in the players skates, or their minds, as they go through this season. The rhythm of everyday life has changed if not disappeared altogether and any sense of familiarity has almost vanished. So, yes, this has to be a difficult ask to have players show up and play with their most intense focus and highest skill level. On the other hand, don’t we advise our children to do their very best with honest effort regardless of whether anyone is watching or not? I asked that question about the handling of Sullivan Arena also.
Trinity is a very good team. Their first line looked like they had been playing together for years. They skate very well, and move the puck even better. Their passing was excellent and not contended as well as it could have been. Dizillo had 3 goals and 3 assists. Watching him with the puck is about as smooth as it gets. Quinn Booth had 2 goals and 3 assists while Aidan Palmeter added a goal and an assist. Cole Ponkin chipped in a pair of assists from the blue line.
If you are looking for a total game recap, you can see the scoring and stats below. Meanwhile, I want to just get to some key points of the happenings and observation of such things.
- Grady Chretien had a goal and two assists (3 points) in the game which gives him 117 career points. He started the game tied for 4th All-Time at in scoring at GHS with Sebastian Beal. He moved up and is now tied for 3rd All-Time with Liam House-Myers with 117 points and counting.
- Nicholas DiMarzio (freshman) scored his first career goal and point on a follow up to a Chretien rush to the net in the third period. I am pretty sure we will see much more from him in the future. (Personal note: His father and I go way back. Like, way back, when I pitched and he caught. He was excellent!)
- Calvin Sage scored a beautiful goal from the high slot on a feed from Jackson Burke (great pass) and Grady Chretien. It was a wonderful hockey play by all three players.
- Goffstown hasn’t played against a public school yet this season. The 3 schools they have played are all known for their hockey programs.
- So far Goffstown has played 3 games against Division I opponents, and the one D-II school they played are defending State Co-Champs.
- The Grizzlies goaltenders have faced 159 shots on goal in four games. That is astounding!
- As I said, the Grizzlies first goal came in the second period when Sage scored from Burke and Chretien.
- Luc Ouellette scored on a nice, jab the puck into the net, goal set up by Jackson Burke. It was a nice rush up the ice by Ouellette, Jack Wilkinson, and Burke then they crashed the net to score.
- Nicholas DiMarzio scored his first career goal when Chretien led a three-man rush with Calvin Sage and DiMarzio before Nicholas poked the rebound into the net.
- Grady Chretien scored his 83rd career goal after collecting a brilliant long, long, bankshot pass by Xavier Bibaud from his own end. Chretien was flanked by DiMarzio and Jake Klardie on the play.
- Finally, I humbly say that I am sorry for being in the booth for the two home games when a parent of one of the players could have been their in my place to see their son or daughter play. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve this team as I have for the last 6 seasons, but I neglected to see this error in my judgement.
Goffstown gets back on the ice again very soon, which is a good way to shake off a loss and get back to winning ways. They play in Nashua (Conway Arena) tomorrow night (6:50pm) against Hollis-Brookline. I am guessing it will be shared live by one of our awesome hockey family members.
Updated records.
Goffstown (0-4-0) vs. Trinity (1-2-0)
Sullivan Arena, St. Anselm College, Goffstown, NH
Monday, January 25, 2021. 8:00 PM Start:
Summary:
Goals:
Goffstown: 0-1-3 = 4
Trinity: 2-1-6 = 9
Shots:
Goffstown: 04-05-10 = 19
Trinity: 10-13-19 = 42
Scoring:
1st Trinity at 6:36. Even. Quinn Booth from Anthony Dizillo and Cole Ponkin.
1st Trinity at 11:57. Even. Cam Laventure from Jordan Joyal.
2nd Trinity at 2:10. Even. Joshua Sulzman from Cooper Gaudio.
2nd Goffstown at 3:15. Even. Calvin Sage (1) from Grady Chretien (1) and Jackson Burke (1).
3rd Trinity at 0:19. Even. Anthony Dizillo from Quinn Booth and Aidan Palmeter.
3rd Trinity at 1:38. PPG. Aidan Palmeter from Anthony Dizillo and Quinn Booth.
3rd Goffstown at 2:52. Even. Luc Ouellette (1) from Jackson Burke (2).
3rd Trinity at 4:25. Even. Anthony Dizillo from Bobby Kinsella.
3rd Goffstown at 5:08. Even. Nicholas DiMarzio (1st career goal) from Grady Chretien (2).
3rd Trinity at 5:52. Even. Anthony Dizillo from Quinn Booth.
3rd Goffstown at 7:01. Even. Grady Chretien (4) from Xavier Bibaud (1).
3rd Trinity at 9:16. Even. Quinn Booth from Anthony Dizillo and Noah Levesque.
3rd Trinity at 14:55. Even. Mike Evan from Cole Ponkin.
Special Teams:
Goffstown Power Play: 0 for 4.
Trinity Power Play: 1 for 3.
Saves:
Goffstown: Madeline Sage 29 of 36. (35:52)
Goffstown: James Amorelli 4 of 6. (9:08)
Trinity: Brendan Heppler 15 of 19. (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.
Love reading your accounts of the games and am glad that you continue to do so, especially this year.. Not meaning to be nit picky but just an FYI. Luc Ouellette’s name is spelled “Luc”
Luc’s Grandfather,
Al Ouellette
Thank you Mr. Ouellette. It’s my pleasure. I am glad you check in on these things. I have made a note of the correction. Enjoy the rest of the season! Be well.