Written by After a season full of uncertainty, anxiety, and a literal, almost daily, lesson that in life there are no guarantees, the Goffstown Hockey team was able to have it’s senior night ceremony. The Grizzlies were the home team, oddly, on the home rink of their opponent, the Manchester Central-West Little Green Knights.
The opening face-off came just moments after the ceremony had wrapped up. Yes, it was a little bit different to hear the announcement of the names, the numbers, and the words honoring the senior players and look around to realize that this was JFK Memorial Coliseum and not Sullivan Arena over at St. A’s. JFK is a great venue, one of my favorites, and hopefully everyone enjoyed the event despite not being in the more familiar confines of Sullivan Arena. Honestly, I am thrilled that games have been played and completed. I thoroughly enjoyed that our hockey family got to be together on a single special night to celebrate the seniors, the team, the sport, and just the joy of being together. It was truly awesome to see so many smiling faces in one place, at one event. Let these simple truths not be understated because it us, people warmly engaging other people, that make the world go round. Never take that for granted, and if you do, I would invite you to ask any of the senior parents and families from last night how good it felt to be among friends, smiling, and soaring on the uplifting flow found in the joys of togetherness.
Perhaps the Goffstown players enjoyed the pregame too much because 18 seconds into the game the Grizzlies were trailing 1-0. Goffstown actually won the opening faceoff, made several passes leading to a shot on net and an offensive zone face-off. Goffstown won the faceoff but Eric DesRuisseaux and Luke Chase had a miscommunication and Aiden Kelley snagged the puck was off to the races on a 2-on-0 with Matt LaForge. Madeline Sage had no chance with two 1st line forwards coming at her full speed. Kelley deked toward the middle and then tucked the puck inside the near post for the goal. The Grizzlies shook it off and scored a power play goal a few minutes later. After DesRuisseaux and Grady Chretien played catch back and forth with the puck up top, Chretien skated to the middle and took a low hard shot that created a rebound on a save from David Hood in net for the Little Green Knights. Jake Klardie grabbed the rebound in the slot, spun, and slid a shot right along the ice through the five-hole for a power play goal at 3:40. Goffstown took a penalty shortly after the goal, but they were able to kill the penalty. At 6:37 of the period the Grizzlies took a 2-1 lead. Maddie Sage made a save on a shot from Michael Blair through heavy traffic in front of the net and Brennan Pierce cleared the rebound behind the net toward the corner. Luc Ouellette took the puck from the corner and turned up ice, throwing the puck to open space at center ice. It was a good place to put the puck because Grady Chretien was skating through the are and he took the pass and sped up ice. Chretien split the two defenders and took the puck to the net, flipping a backhander into the net for the goal. Both teams were getting chances and Goffstown had their hands full every time Aiden Kelley was on the ice. Sage made a real nice left pad save on Keegan Hoag at 9:33 of the period. Goffstown couldn’t get the puck out of the zone and Hoag got away with a hold, causing the puck to spring loose. Kelley grabbed the puck, made a move to get inside the defense and Hoag was in better shooting position than Kelley as he cranked a low hard shot ticketed for the far post, but Sage got her pad to it and denied the chance. A minute later, the Grizzlies paid her back by adding to their lead. Goffstown held the puck in the offensive zone for some time before cashing in. Luc Ouellette stepped in and broke up a Central-West clearing attempt and then centered a pass to Chretien. There was traffic in the slot which disrupted a potential one-timer for Chretien but he stayed with the puck getting two quick shots onto David Hood’s pads. The second save slid out past Chretien and right to Andrew Skora who was able to bury the rebound shot for the goal at 10:40. The Grizzlies were whistled for a bench minor penalty for too many skaters on the ice and they were able to kill the penalty, barely. Toward the end of the penalty Goffstown again could not clear the zone and Maddie was making saves or watching shots whistle just wide of her net. Technically, the penalty had ended just ended Aiden Kelley got a second, maybe third swipe at the puck while Sage was under siege. Finally, Kelley scored and the GHS lead was only 3-2. That is how the period would end, with Goffstown leading 3-2, and both teams getting an armload of scoring opportunities.
The Senior starting lineup for the Grizzlies. (Sage Photo)
The second period had its share of entertainment but the teams were a little more stingy on giving up scoring chances, and certainly goals. Goffstown didn’t do a whole lot to help their own cause though, by taking 3 penalties in the period. They also handed a picture perfect pass right to the most lethal weapon on the opponents squad. At 3:32 of the period, Brennan Pierce tried to go ‘D-to-D’ with a pass in front of his own net. The pass slid to the slot where Aiden Kelley gladly accepted the gift, and all alone, ripped a shot off of the near side post. This came a few seconds after Maddie Sage had made another great save on Kelley who was in on a 2-on-1. Shortly after the clank off of the post, Grady Chretien did what he does best, he scored. Andrew Skora and Luc Ouellette were aggressive on the forecheck and Ouellette actually tipped a pass that changed direction and slowed down enough for ‘third man high’ Grady Chretien to pick off. Chretien was able to steal the puck in the slot and immediately shoot the puck past Hood for his second goal of the evening and a 4-2 lead. Goffstown took three straight penalties over a span of 5:55. During the penalty kill the Grizzlies kept Mr. Kelley to the outside but he simply circled the net flipping a perfect backhand pass, that somehow eluded Maddie’s stick, to the slot where Keegan Hoag snapped a shot into the net for a power play goal, cutting the Goffstown lead to, 4-3. As I said, the Grizzlies took two more penalties in the period but somehow got out of the period still clinging to the one goal lead. I must say that David Hood made several key saves on the night as well, none of which I marked on my note pad, but several that I commented on in the booth during the fray. I don’t think he knew what he was in for in the final period though.
All these years, and I still love when Grizzlies gather. (Sage Photo)
It was a one goal game entering the final period on Senior Night and the Grizzlies threw everything at the net in the third period. The halfway point of the period approached with the Grizzlies on the power play and looking to secure the outcome of the game. Jackson Burke took an offensive zone faceoff and won it back to Brennan Pierce at the right point. Pierce walked the blue line with the puck and returned the puck to Burke on the half wall. Burke made a move toward the net before sliding a pass to Nick DiMarzio below the goal line. As he made the pass, Burke continued toward the net and DiMarzio perfectly completed the old ‘give and go’ with a pass back to Burke. Burke fired immediately and put the puck behind Hood, into the net. The puck slid on the ice, hit the inside of the back of the net along the apron and slid back out. It was a power play goal for the Grizzlies and everyone in the building knew it. Well, everyone but the officials. So, miraculously, at the NH high school level, a goal can be scored in plain sight, but not counted. A faceoff was called and everyone was forced to move on in a one goal game with 7:29 left to play. Goffstown continued to pour on the offense and eventually they scored another goal. Retrieving the puck at center ice, Xavier Bibaud passed to his D partner, Colby Wright, who skated the puck into the offensive zone up the left side. Wright’s path was disrupted so he spun and fed a pass to the slot where Nick DiMarzio was waiting with his stick high above his head, locked and ready to fire. The pass was perfect and DiMarzio uncoiled in a hurry, unleashing a rocket of a one-timer through a screen and up under the crossbar for the third goal of his young career. Goffstown led, 5-3 with 2:24 to play. A minute later the Little Green Knights answered the challenge with a goal of their own. David Hood made the save on Eric DesRuisseaux’s scoring bid and the rebound bounced up in the air and over the Grizzlies there for a rebound. Matt Lessard grabbed the rebound and turned it into a rush up ice for Manchester Central-West. Lessard hit Matt LaForge with a pass as he crossed the blue line that looked offside (I checked video and it was onside) and he ripped a backhand shot on net that Sage kicked out. The retreating Grizzlies couldn’t get to the rebound and Sam Louis pounced on it with a slap shot toward the net that Aiden Kelley skillfully tipped but the carom bounced off of the post. Kelley retrieved his own rebound and got the puck to LaForge who put the puck into the net as Goffstown was scrambling in their coverage. Again, it was a one goal game and now only 1:39 to play. Manchester Central-West called timeout. They wanted to get Hood to the bench for an extra attacker as soon as possible. Andrew Skora got the puck deep into the offensive end for the Grizzlies, just a good basic hockey play. Luc Ouellette and Skora went into forecheck mode and kept the puck in the zone when Andrew chipped the puck along the boards to halt the breakout. Ouellette snapped up the puck and patiently looked things over before smartly finding Colby Wright skating in from center ice over the blue line. Wright took the pass then a stride or two and he unleashed a low hard shot just inside the far post. Great goal, basic play, tremendous execution. Goffstown now led 6-4 with 1:04 to play. The Little Green Knights finally got a chance to pull Hood from the net at 14:35 but nothing came of it. The Grizzlies held on, 6-4, after an amazing 26 shots on net in the final frame.
With the regular season complete, the NHIAA post-season tournament begins next week. This year has a completely unique set up, but Goffstown plays Portsmouth-Newmarket on Wednesday night (3/3/21) at the Ice Den at 7:30pm in the preliminary round. The winner will play a very good Oyster River team on Saturday.
2021 NHIAA Region Four Bracket.
Charity of Choice 2021: Goffstown Food Pantry
Over the last several seasons The Friends of Goffstown Hockey has asked each senior class to participate in a “charity of choice” event as a legacy project. The concept was designed, in part, as a vehicle by which the team could give back to our community. A community that has been supportive of The Goffstown Hockey Program. One definition of a Legacy Project reads simply like this. “The concept of legacy is a powerful life tool for all ages and a catalyst for social change. Legacy is about life and living. It’s about learning from the past, living in the present, and building for the future.” So, this season the seniors along with their team will be giving back to the community in the form of a food drive that will in turn supply the local food bank. Collecting, stocking, and giving to those in need will provide families with some sense of comfort. Goffstown Grizzlies we thank you for your support in this effort.
NHIAA Hockey:
Updated records.
Goffstown (5-7-0) vs. Manchester Central-West (0-12-0)
JFK Memorial Coliseum, Manchester, NH
Saturday, February 27, 2021. 8:32 PM Start:
Summary:
Goals:
Goffstown: 3-1-2 = 6
Manchester Central-West: 2-1-1 = 4
Shots:
Goffstown: 13-11-26 = 50
Manchester Central-West: 13-07-06 = 26
Scoring:
1st Manchester Central-West at 0:18. Even. Aiden Kelley unassisted.
1st Goffstown at 3:40. PPG. Jake Klardie (2) from Eric DesRuisseaux (6) and Grady Chretien (9).
1st Goffstown at 6:37. Even. Grady Chretien (24) from Luc Ouellette (13) and Brennan Pierce (3).
1st Goffstown at 10:40. Even. Andrew Skora (2) from Grady Chretien (10) and Luc Ouellette (14).
1st Manchester Central-West at 14:01. Even. Aiden Kelley from Ethan Hartshorn and Keegan Hoag.
2nd Goffstown at 4:15. Even. Grady Chretien (25) from Luc Ouellette (15).
2nd Manchester Central-West at 6:17. PPG. Keegan Hoag from Aiden Kelley.
3rd Goffstown at 12:36. Even. Nick DiMarzio (3) from Colby Wright (2) and Xavier Bibaud (3).
3rd Manchester Central-West at 13:21. Even. Matt LaForge from Aiden Kelley and Sam Louis.
3rd Goffstown at 13:56. Even. Colby Wright (1) from Luc Ouellette (16) and Andrew Skora (6).
Special Teams:
Goffstown Power Play: 1 for 2.
Manchester Central-West Power Play: 1 for 5.
Saves:
Goffstown: Madeline Sage 22 of 26. (45:00)
Manchester Central-West: David Hood 44 of 50. (44:35)
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.