Tournament Hockey: Goffstown 2 vs. Oyster River 7

Last night the Goffstown Grizzlies traveled out to Durham, NH to play the #1 ranked team in their region, the Oyster River Bobcats. They played ice hockey on a piece of property called Jackson Landing, a place that the Jackson family first owned as early as 1658. Back then they might have just played the game on the river.

The rink is mostly enclosed but a nice, refreshing breeze kicked up in the final period as a reminder of how cold hockey can be when it’s not your night. The Grizzlies dug themselves a massive hole, maybe the biggest hole dug on the property since the ‘archaeological investigation’ of 2007-2008, by falling behind 4-1 after fifteen minutes of play. The Bobcats would go on to win the game, 7-2, and eliminate the Grizzlies for the 5th time in the last twelve seasons. Oyster River (OR) will meet Somersworth-Coe-Brown in one Semi-final while Merrimack will play Dover in the other one.

 

 

Oyster River had to feel good about themselves, scoring on the first shift of the game. Though, I was a bit worried when the scorer’s booth could not stop the clock after the goal was scored. It was probably frozen in ‘run clock’ mode. They got it figured out eventually. Maybe with a heater. Either way, Oyster River scored just 33 seconds into the game when Corum Nichols scored after a sequence of passes from John Kell and Michael Szymanski. It was classic Oyster River hockey, a little cycle, pass, pass to the slot, shot, goal. The Bobcats had the lead very early.

Goffstown went on the power play just a few moments later and the Grizzlies were able to tie the game as a result. After some back and forth action and loose play, Brennan Pierce executed what I call a ‘poke chip’ pass not to be confused with a poker chip. Pierce pushed the puck forward on a 50/50 puck at his own blue line to Grady Chretien at center ice. Chretien skated up the right wing side and ripped a wrist shot, using Jack Caldicott as a bit of a screen, and found the back of the net. The score was 1-1 with 11:06 to play in the opening period.

 

 

After the Grizzlies tied the game, Oyster River dictated play right until the intermission. The Bobcats scored three goals over a span of 8:02 to more or less put the game away. I know there were two full periods left to play but the Bobcats specialize in not allowing goals year after year. First, Jack Poitras scored his first goal of the night with assists from Andy Carlson and Alden Swiesz. The play started back in their own end with a defensive zone faceoff win and then what looked like a jailbreak as the PCS line made their way up ice, making the Grizzlies look like they were standing still. Oyster River was up 2-1 at 6:19 of the period. They added a power play goal of their own a few minutes later. The Bobcats won the faceoff to begin the power play and the puck never left the zone until they were dropping the puck at center after they scored. Alden Swiesz passed the puck back to Jack Caldicott at the blue line who slid it over to Jack Poitras at the right point. Poitras made a quick diagonal pass back to Swiesz in the left wing circle for a one-timer that didn’t miss. Great play. OR led, 3-1 at 10:08 of the period. Goffstown had another power play opportunity late in the period but instead of cutting into the lead, they fell further behind. While shorthanded, Oyster River cleared the puck the length of the ice and it bounced solidly off of the end boards. Jake Webber came out to play the puck and with Jack Poitras bearing down on him and defenseman Eric DesRuisseaux he hesitated for just a moment. Webber put the puck right on the stick of Poitras but he was still in the corner with DesRuisseaux. Poitras shed DesRuisseaux and went to the net past Brennan Pierce and beat Webber with his shot for an unassisted shorthanded goal. It was a back breaker and a microcosm of how the night went for the Grizzlies. Oyster River led, 4-1 after one period, and had done it on just a 12-7 advantage in shots. They cashed in when they had the chance and even created chances that should not have favored them.

 

During the second and third periods, Goffstown opened up their offensive game and put everything they could into getting pucks to the net. This they did well, getting 28 shots on goal in the final two periods. Grady Chretien would fire a rebound shot from a Xavier Bibaud shot off of Daubney’s pads into the net to give Goffstown hope at 4:48 of the period. Bibaud made a great read on the play, pinching in from the right point and firing from the half wall. However, they still trailed, 4-2. This was after Jake Webber made a great save on a bid by Joey Fogg. Two players from Goffstown collided with each other at center ice and both fell down. This led directly to a 2-on-1 break for the Bobcats. Zach Serrano skated up the left wing boards taking Brennan Pierce with him. This left Fogg wide open in the middle where Serrano found him with a pass. Webber was patient on this one though, and robbed Fogg with a nice right pad save for the Grizzlies.

 

Goffstown kept getting shots and some chances. Daubney made some real nice first saves but left several rebounds. Unfortunately for the Grizzlies, they just could not get to many, if any, rebounds. After a long possession in the offensive end for Goffstown, they forced Oyster River to ice the puck and take another defensive zone faceoff. The Bobcats won the faceoff and worked the puck up ice from Cayden Giordani to Andy Carlson. Carlson got past DesRuisseaux and Luc Ouellette but only got a tough angle shot on goal. Webber made the save but the rebound came out to the faceoff circle and Poitras beat Colby Wright to the puck and fired it into the net at 9:32 of the second period. Goffstown was down, 5-2. Just before the period ended, Ouellette made a pass from Gretzky’s office out to the slot to Grady Chretien. Chretien fired a low hard shot at point blank range but Claden Daubney made one of his best saves of the night and nobody in maroon could get to the rebound. After two periods, Oyster River held a 5-2 lead.

 

 

As if the battle wasn’t uphill enough already, the Grizzlies took a hooking penalty and bench minor at 0:39 of the period. This gave Oyster River a full two-minute 5-on-3 power play opportunity. Somehow, through some good goaltending and rebound control, Goffstown got out of it with no further damage but they were still down three goals and time was running short. Oyster River then took a penalty and Goffstown’s fleeting chances were in need of a power play goal and a boost. The Grizzlies were all over the offensive zone with the puck to start the power play. Grady Chretien ripped a shot off of the post so hard that the sound knocked down linemate Jake Klardie. Even so, Chretien kept his compete level at a master’s level and got the puck back himself only to be robbed by Daubney at the near side post. Two minutes after the Bobcats killed the penalty, they scored again. Jake Webber made a great save on a Jack Caldicott slap shot in traffic but the rebound came right to Andy Carlson at the post and he put the puck into the net. The score was 6-2 at 7:33 of the period.

 

Four minutes after the goal, Goffstown took a timeout and continued to get pucks to the net. Goffstown was called for a tough roughing call and killing the penalty just took more time off of the clock and wind out of their sails. In the final minute of the period, Goffstown fanned on a clearing attempt and Oyster River made them pay immediately. Zach Serrano passed to Tyler Rinko at the blue line and he moved the puck to Cayden Giordani at the right point. Giordani walked in unchecked and ripped a shot that beat Webber for a goal. The Bobcats led 7-2 with 40 seconds left. Goffstown had 16 shots in the final frame and gave all that they had in their tank. Oyster River was the better team almost all night. Their execution was very good, especially when it counted most. Goffstown won the shots battle in the game, 35-27.

 

 

The Grizzlies season came to an end last night, and to be perfectly honest, I am thrilled and surprised that it lasted this long. Not because of them, but due to the shifting scenarios that we all have faced in the last many months. Thrilled? Yes, thrilled that these kids, all of them, on all of the teams, were able to play high school athletics in a sport they love and have dedicated their young lives to. Nobody so young should have those things taken from them, especially when they are committed and able. I am so glad they got to play this season no matter how odd it was.

 

 

Two seasons ago, I shared a picture that really reinforced how much these things actually matter to competitors, to friendships, and commitment to one another. I didn’t take the picture but I was there watching the scene unfold, and I cried. This was the article. Then, last night, another scene unfolded in front of me, on the ice, after the game, and another one of our fantastic photographers captured it. This one hit me even harder because it was not only a pair of teammates for their high school career but teammates for life.

 

 

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Long after the game, outside of the rink, coaches from both teams were talking about one player in particular. I heard a coach from Oyster River say something to the effect of, ‘Chretien’s backhand is better than most forehands’. Other coaches who have been on the bench for many years were amazed at his compete level and his will to win. Others still couldn’t get over his speed and how he seems to accelerate even when making moves to get by defenders or to the net. Grady it has truly been a joy to watch you play and grow over these past four years. You are truly a sensational player. May you not soon, or ever, be forgotten for your contributions on the ice and to the Goffstown hockey community.

 

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NHIAA Hockey:

Updated records.

Goffstown (6-8-0) vs. Oyster River (11-2-0)

Churchill Rink, Jackson’s Landing, Durham, NH

Saturday, March 6, 2021. 7:20 PM Start:

 

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Summary:

Goals:

Goffstown: 1-1-0 = 2

Oyster River: 4-1-2 = 7

 

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Shots:

Goffstown: 07-12-16 = 35

Oyster River: 12-08-07 = 27

 

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Scoring:

1st Oyster River at 0:33. Even. Corum Nichols from John Kell and Michael Szymanski.

1st Goffstown at 3:54. PPG. Grady Chretien (27) from Brennan Pierce (5).

1st Oyster River at 6:19. Even. Jack Poitras from Andy Carlson and Alden Swiesz.

1st Oyster River at 10:08. PPG. Alden Swiesz from Jack Poitras and Jack Caldicott.

1st Oyster River at 14:21. SHG. Jack Poitras unassisted.

 

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2nd Goffstown at 4:48. Even. Grady Chretien (28) from Xavier Bibaud (4).

2nd Oyster River at 9:32. Even. Jack Poitras from Andy Carlson and Cayden Giordani.

 

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3rd Oyster River at 7:33. Even. Andy Carlson from Jack Caldicott.

3rd Oyster River at 14:21. Even. Cayden Giordani from Zach Serrano and Tyler Rinko.

 

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Special Teams:

Goffstown Power Play: 1 for 3.

Oyster River Power Play: 1 for 4.

 

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Saves:

Goffstown: Jake Webber 20 of 27. (43:02)

Goffstown: James Amorelli 0 of 0. (1:58)

Oyster River: Claden Daubney 33 of 35. (45:00)

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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.