Written by It had been a few weeks since the Grizzlies had played any competitive hockey when they pulled into one of their many ‘home’ rinks for this season, yesterday afternoon. Goffstown hosted John Stark-Hopkinton at JFK Coliseum, of all places, for their return to the ice.
When it’s the middle of hockey season, being off of the ice for two weeks seems like a month, or more. During the time away, it’s impossible to calculate how many forces are at work and how differently so many timelines are running their separate courses, all at the same time. Fortunately for the kids, thankful for the blessing of structure and the simple familiarities that have been so hard to find over the last year or so, the team was back on the ice to play hockey. Even better, and tremendously odd, the Goffstown parents actually were able to see their kids play in person for the first time this high school hockey season. After two secluded, less than exhibition style, home games behind the veil of secrecy at Sullivan Arena, it was fantastic to see parents in attendance to watch their kids play high school hockey.
The Grizzlies scored the first three goals of the contest, and did enough things right to earn a 7-3 victory, their first win of the season. Goffstown took a 2-0 lead to the first intermission, powered by goals from freshman, Andrew Skora, the first goal of his career. It was a great passing play from senior Grady Chretien and junior Luc Ouellette with Ouellette finding Skora on the doorstep for the Grizzlies first goal of the day. The goal came at 10:38 of the opening period. Less than two minutes later Sean Hunter (senior) pounced on a loose puck in the slot and fired a shot into the net for his first goal of the season, to give the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead at 12:18 of the period. The goal was unassisted.
Goffstown wasted no time in extending their lead once the second period was underway, scoring a goal just 9 seconds into the frame. Skora and Ouellette worked together with consecutive passes after the opening face-off, which allowed the puck to end up on Chretien’s stick near the net. Chretien did what he does best and scored his first goal of the game to give Goffstown a 3-0 lead. John Stark-Hopkinton would get on the board at 6:34 of the period when Cooper Rivers was left alone in front of the net and scored on a beautiful set up from Ethan Molnar. Thirty seconds later Chretien made sure the Grizzlies regained their three-goal lead when he scored on a play set up by Andrew Skora. Just over a minute later Rivers scored again on a nice looking hockey play that spanned the length of the ice set up by great passing from Tyler Scordo and Ethan Molnar. Grizzlies still led, 4-2, at 8:06 of the middle period. Later in the period, the Grizzlies put the game out of reach scoring a pair of goals just 45 seconds apart. First, it was Chretien again, set up by his linemates, Skora and Ouellette. The goal gave Chretien 123 career points to tie Colby Gamache as the all-time leader in Goffstown Hockey history. Then freshmen Nick DiMarzio scored on a beautiful feed from Jackson Burke who was sprung free on the rush by a pass from Brandon Bograd. Goffstown led it, 6-2 after two periods.
John Stark-Hopkinton scored on the power play at 12:20 of the final period when Ethan Molnar ripped a perfect shot under the bar on a set up from Cooper Rivers and Nick Osborne. On the next shift, Grady Chretien scored to make history on a pass from Luc Ouellette. Chretien’s goal, fourth of the day, gave Goffstown the 7-3 win, as well as his 124th career point to move into sole possession of the top spot in career scoring for Goffstown High School hockey. It should also be noted that Maddie Sage, who backstopped the Grizzlies to victory, earned her 20th career victory guarding the Grizzlies Den between the pipes.
Six seasons ago I volunteered to do the scoresheets for home hockey games so that the spot would be filled each night and so that others, especially those who came before me, could just watch the games without distraction. I knew in my heart and my mind what I brought to the table as a tracker of sports, stats, words, pictures, and moments involving kids achievements that I always thought should get more recognition. Afterall, it has always been about the kids. I even knew that along the way I would likely be pleasantly surprised by the resiliency, aptitude, and sheer greatness found in kids during fleeting seconds that stick with us for the rest of our days. Even so, I never thought it would lead to not missing any Goffstown hockey games for more than 5 seasons, and only the peculiarities of this last twelve months has kept me away from games in person this season. Regardless, it is, and has been, my extreme pleasure to be a part of the program, and even more so to witness the greatness that I have witnessed so many times over in the last 6 seasons. There are too many moments to count, really. One moment I didn’t get to see in person was one that happened yesterday, and I had a feeling this would happen one day, all the way back in December of 2018. Grady Chretien scored 5 points in yesterday’s victory which gives him 124 career points. A new GHS hockey record. It’s also the third straight season that a player has broken the record and raised the bar. Griffin Cook ended 2019 with 122 points. Colby Gamache ended 2020 with 123 points. They both played 89 games for the Grizzlies. Grady has reached 124 points and counting, in just 74 career games.
What’s probably even more important to remember in all of this, is that nothing is guaranteed in sports and high school careers, and such. Nobody could have possibly seen how last season would end and whether this season would even happen, all while the student athlete’s clock continues ticking regardless if games are played or not. I am afraid that some genuinely smart people will look back at this time frame from the future only then to realize the grave injustice that this time frame has been on kids and young people all over the country. So, for now, I take great joy, and exude pure thankfulness, in the fact that we can see our kids playing sports at all. May they be safe, and well, and continue to surprise us with their greatness. It is about them, not us.
Goffstown plays next on Monday afternoon at 4:20pm against Bow at Tri-Town Arena in Hooksett. I have no idea who, or how many, are allowed into the game.
Updated records.
Goffstown (1-6-0) vs. John Stark-Hopkinton (1-2-0)
JFK Coliseum, Manchester, NH
Saturday, February 13, 2021. 4:10 PM Start:
Summary:
Goals:
Goffstown: 2-4-1 = 7
John Stark-Hopkinton: 0-2-1 = 3
Scoring:
1st Goffstown at 10:38. Even. Andrew Skora (1st career goal) from Luc Ouellette (4) and Grady Chretien (3).
1st Goffstown at 12:18. Even. Sean Hunter (1) unassisted.
2nd Goffstown at 0:09. Even. Grady Chretien (7) from Luc Ouellette (5) and Andrew Skora (1).
2nd John Stark-Hopkinton at 6:34. Even. Cooper Rivers from Ethan Molnar.
2nd Goffstown at 7:04. Even. Grady Chretien (8) from Andrew Skora (2).
2nd John Stark-Hopkinton at 8:06. Even. Cooper Rivers from Tyler Scordo and Ethan Molnar.
2nd Goffstown at 10:07. Even. Grady Chretien (9) from Luc Ouellette (6) and Andrew Skora (3).
2nd Goffstown at 10:52. Even. Nick DiMarzio (2) from Jackson Burke (3) and Brandon Bograd (1).
3rd John Stark-Hopkinton at 12:20. PPG. Ethan Molnar from Cooper Rivers and Nick Osborne.
3rd Goffstown at 12:47. Even. Grady Chretien (10) from Luc Ouellette (7).
Special Teams:
Goffstown Power Play: 0 for 0.
John Stark-Hopkinton Power Play: 1 for 3.
Saves:
Goffstown: Maddie Sage. (45:00)
John Stark-Hopkinton: Cayson Allard. (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.