Hockey: Goffstown Hockey Spends Christmas Vacation on the Ice

The season opener finally came, and went. The Grizzlies had their annual Christmas Eve skate. Then it was Christmas Day, and remembrance of the greatest gift. But, the sweaters and pajamas were tossed quickly aside because the Christmas Tournament started the very next day. And what’s this? A league game over Christmas break?!?

Oh, where have I been, and what have I done? Time continues like a torrent and I bounce from rink to rink, barely a moment, it seems, to stop and think. All the while, I know what I have committed to, just between my wife and myself, and I notice that there’s work to do, but when. Between my youngest son’s games and the Grizzlies I had a vested interest in 14 hockey games between December 26 and January 2. I wrote about 8 of them I think, and now I dive into a summary of the Goffstown High School Varsity Hockey games that were played over the Christmas vacation week.

First, there was the annual Christmas Eve skate, which I believe was moved to JFK Coliseum in Manchester this season. This has become an annual event that brings players past and present, with their families, and the greater Goffstown hockey family together in the spirit of Christmas. I choose to see these things through glasses that are tinted a bit rose colored. I was unable to attend the event this season because I had to work, but I so enjoy Christmas and the reason for it. And as I long ago figured out, the things I enjoy most are almost always better when shared with others in the collective glow of smiling eyes. Plus, I think it was the great Billy Squier who sang, “…So when spirits grow lighter, And hopes are shining brighter, Then you know that Christmas time is here.”

 

Over the dates of December 26, 2021 thru December 29, 2021, the Brian C. Stone Memorial Christmas Tournament was played after taking a brief pause last season. Hundreds and hundreds of hockey fans, players, and their families visited the old JFK Coliseum in Manchester to watch games, visit with one another, and to catch up with hockey friends and acquaintances from lifetime’s spent never too far from a clean sheet of ice. There are a lot of smiles, hugs, and “it’s so great to see you’s”. I hope that every single one of those folks remembered Brian Stone in some way. I know members of our Goffstown hockey community skated with Brian on that fateful night, and they remembered. Look at the picture, literally the face of the tournament, and honor the life. Then count your blessings and spread the joy found in that moment of reflection.

 

 

I guess that I am a bit out of touch with a lot of the parents and families on this version of the Goffstown Grizzlies ice hockey team. The further I am removed from my son’s playing career, I guess the less I know of the kids and their families. And with that gap I sense the pulse of the group less than I have in previous years. But I tell you this, it is not unusual for the Goffstown team to not show well in the annual Christmas Tournament for a number of reasons, and that is okay in my book. Goffstown has only won more than one game in the tournament once in the last 8 seasons. In each of those seasons that they have played in the tournament, they have won 9 or more games and qualified for the post-season in each season as well. I know that past performance does not mean much in a new season, but there is hope where players play, learn, grow, and keep trying to improve.

Also keep in mind that this year’s team is by far the least experienced team that Coach Slocum and the staff have put on the ice in his tenure. That’s nobody’s fault, just a fact. Then, when five of the six all-time GHS 100-point scorers have graduated in the last 4 years, you start looking for the next group to emerge. When last season finished, only two returning players had more than 30 career points, and then one of those players didn’t return. Even so, all is not lost, and any shadow cast by remnants of the CBC Line is gone. Which is also the way these things go, as they should. Simply, it is an opportunity to create a new identity, a legacy that is defined on and off the ice, collectively. That’s what I can’t wait to see. Where does this team go from here? Do they claim they are who they are and that is all we get? Or do they realize the stage is large and ongoing? It is open, to be commanded by those who work hard, work together, and rise to heights that not even they knew they could reach, especially together. The joy of potential, of dark-horses, the possibilities found in leadership by example, the unimaginable achievements garnered by camaraderie, and of course, the unknown.

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Click on any of the pictures to enlarge

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Goffstown took to the ice at JFK to play three NHIAA Hockey Division I teams. They played Bow on 12/26, Manchester on 12/27, and Exeter on 12/28. Combined, these three teams are now 5-3-1 in league play. So, maybe not the upper echelon of D-I hockey as of yet, but certainly strong competition. The Grizzlies lost all three games, and as usual, the staff played everyone over the tournament games, and that should bode well if the players are locked in and looking to improve. One of the biggest things that jumps out at observers of high school hockey concerning younger or less experienced players, is their reaction to the speed of the game. Skills often times are lacking, like maybe size and speed are, but they will come. Then apply speed of the game to an area or areas that are lacking or weaker and it’s like one pop-quiz after another without having done the proper studying; the foundation for a break down. Then, before our eyes, the players rise to the new standard. They raise their game, each, and all. New possibilities emerge. It’s a beautiful process, and almost always, it’s only possible by playing against better competition.

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Click on any of the pictures to enlarge

 

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Please take a moment and look at the first picture in the gallery just above this paragraph. This is a game from a neutral site, and still, Goffstown is represented by a throng of volunteers to bring all of us the very best game presentation in the state of NH. Our home games require even more volunteerism to pull off the professional presentation that the Grizzlies have long been known for. This is not a hope, or a wish, this is a fact. I receive commentary every year, literally, by message, by comment, by email, by phone, and in person from folks around the hockey community complimenting our presentation. I hear from friends, alumni, officials, school administrators, fans, opponents, coaches, and so on about the quality of the Goffstown Grizzlies presentation of what we just know as, ‘Game-Day’. For this equation to equal such a positive response or result, it takes many people, over every game of every season, to be wonderful. These people swallow their pride, put others first, and largely just bring joy to the experience of ‘Game-Day’ in cheerful servitude. Thank you. Keep it up.

I was only able to attend one of the tournament games, the last one, against Exeter. Exeter is very good. They skate very well as a team. The Grizzlies were no match, overall, to their team speed. That’s okay, as long as the team keeps working on closing the gap. I think they will.

So, as life, and certainly sports will do, there was no rest nor time to process the lessons learned during the Christmas Tournament, but rather an immediate opportunity to apply what may have been learned. The Grizzlies drove to the far reaches of Wolfeboro to play the Kingswood Knights on Wednesday, December 29th up at (closed to visiting team fans) Pop Whalen Ice & Arts Center in NHIAA league play.

Judging by the hours of video I watched of the game, the Grizzlies skated and played pretty well. Goffstown outshot their opponents 34-30 which is a good sign for Goffstown this season. Goffstown took advantage of their power plays, scoring on two of their four advantages to grab a 2-1 lead in the game. Although, the one goal they did allow was a shorthanded bid for Kingswood. Goffstown added another goal to go up, 3-1 after two periods. The Grizzlies held on to win, 3-1 behind 29 saves from Jake Webber in net. Goffstown got goals from Luc and Max Ouellette, and also Brandon Bograd.

If you would like to see some wonderful photos from the Bow and Exeter games played during the Christmas Tournament, check out the previous links. They are outstanding!

Happy New Year everyone!!!

 

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Brian C. Stone Memorial Christmas Tournament – JFK Coliseum

12/26 – Goffstown at Bow:

Shots on Goal:

Goffstown: 07-02-07 = 16

Bow: 13-13-15 = 41

Scoring:

Goffstown: 0-0-1 = 1

Bow: 1-2-2 = 5

Goffstown Scoring: Max Ouellette (3) from Xavier Bibaud (2).

Alex Veary 36 saves on 41 shots (.878).

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12/27 – Goffstown vs. Manchester:

Shots on Goal:

Goffstown: 10-02-02 = 14

Manchester: 09-11-09 = 29

Scoring:

Goffstown: 2-0-0 = 2

Manchester: 1-2-3 = 6

Goffstown Scoring: Luc Ouellette (1) unassisted. Brennan Pierce (1) from Xavier Bibaud (3) and Ethan Santoro (1).

Ethan Santoro 23 saves on 29 shots (.793).

 

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12/28 – Goffstown vs. Exeter:

Shots on Goal:

Goffstown: 06-03-03 = 12

Exeter: 22-13-06 = 41

Scoring:

Goffstown: 0-0-0 = 0

Exeter: 4-2-2 = 8

Goffstown Scoring: None.

Jake Webber 29 saves on 35 shots (.829).

Alex Veary 4 saves on 6 shots (.667).

 

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NHIAA Hockey:

Updated records.

Goffstown (1-1-0) at Kingswood (1-3-0)

Pop Whalen Arena, Wolfeboro, NH

Wednesday, December 29, 2021. 7:20 PM Start:

 

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Summary:

Goals:

Goffstown: 1-2-0 = 3

Kingswood: 0-1-0 = 1

 

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Shots:

Goffstown: 12-15-07 = 34

Kingswood: 08-09-13 = 30

 

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Scoring:

1st Goffstown at 12:36. PPG. Max Ouellette (4) from Brennan Pierce (2) and Colby Wright (1).

 

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2nd Kingswood at 6:58. SHG. Will Danais unassisted.

2nd Goffstown at 11:23. PPG. Luc Ouellette (2) from Brennan Pierce (3).

2nd Goffstown at 14:49. Even. Brandon Bograd (1) from Brennan Pierce (4) and Luc Ouellette (1).

 

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3rd: None

 

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Special Teams:

Goffstown Power Play: 2 for 4.

Kingswood Power Play: 0 for 3.

 

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Saves:

Goffstown: Jake Webber 29 of 30 (.967). (45:00)

Kingswood: Gage Lamontagne 31 of 34 (.912). (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.