Hockey: Goffstown 0 vs. St. Thomas 4

Grizzlies Blanked By The Undefeated Saints

For roughly 13 minutes the Grizzlies were holding their own against St. Thomas, trailing by a goal and getting as many shots on goal as their guests. Then the Saints scored a goal that included a player stick handling on his knees. The goal gave the visitors a 2-0 lead with less than two minutes left in the first period. What Goffstown didn’t know at the time was that they would only get 5 more shots on goal once the first period ended.

If their won-loss record didn’t give it away, then the eye test did. This Saints team can really skate. They all seem to go full throttle from their very first step, and they are ever pressing forward. They pass the puck well and look for the open player at every opportunity. They are fun to watch because they make one good hockey play after another.

I don’t know what the message was during the first intermission for the Saints, but they went on to pummel the Goffstown net minder with 36 shots in the next two periods while allowing only 5 shots on their own net. St. Thomas added a pair of goals in the second period and skated out of town on an icy night, with a 4-0 win, improving to 12-0 on the regular season.

Although I did find that St. Thomas is truly very, very good, and they put on quite a show of exceptional hockey execution, the Grizzlies may well benefit from this meeting. Goffstown got a chance to play against a high flying team that forces their opponents to play fast, to play with purpose on every single play, and make critical decisions even faster. This kind of measuring stick isn’t available just anywhere, and if the Goffstown players were  paying attention (and I think they were), they’ll be better for it.

St. Thomas has only one senior on this season’s roster and they are poised to make deep run in the post-season. They have been making such runs for a few years now. In 2018 they lost in the State Final, then they won the whole thing in 2019. In 2020, St. Thomas was named Co-Champions along with Keene, which, had they played the game, it would have been a repeat of the 2018 Final contestants.

So, in came the mighty visitors to play the Goffstown Grizzlies. Goffstown hockey certainly doesn’t have the reputation or post-season status that the Saints have. Rightfully so. Though one of the most enjoyable qualities I see in the Grizzlies year after year, is their compete level. Goffstown certainly wasn’t going to outscore the Saints, and even scoring one goal was more than they were capable of on Monday night. Honestly though, had it not been for senior, James Amorelli’s, sensational play in net, this game could have been an 8-0 game, or worse. James made some tremendous saves in the game. He had some of the Saints potential goal-scorers shaking their heads or looking to the skies.

 

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If you do get a chance to see any video from the game on Monday night, check out the third St. Thomas goal. Goffstown won a face-off and dumped the puck into the offensive zone which is usually good play, if not a safe one. St. Thomas got a good bounce when the breakout pass from behind their own net hit the back/side of the apron and ramped up and over the nearest fore-checker. Max Murray grabbed the puck on the half wall made a short little pass to Colin Chrisom who was already flying at full speed up the left wing boards from his own end. Colin took the puck all the way up ice and right to the goal line at the bottom of the circle before dishing a last second pass across to Brendan Chrisom who had also flown up the ice. Brendan received the pass in the crease and stuffed the puck into the open side of the net. It was a gorgeous play.

Goffstown had chances to score in the first period and when Britton Dunbar left a rebound, Goffstown couldn’t get to it. When the Grizzlies redirected a shot toward the net, which they did a few times, Dunbar’s body was in the way. Then there were other chances that the Grizzlies had and just plain missed the net, most likely from trying to press, trying to hurry. Like I said earlier though, this Goffstown team needs to take the lesson from the pace of play, positioning, passing, and execution at high speed and apply it to their game. This is a good chance to build on the season they have amassed thus far. Hopefully, some injured players will return very soon, and the Grizzlies can be a full squad down the stretch of the regular season.

As you all know by now, I try to give credit where it is due especially when I find it in places that are not so visible. I have told coaches about players conduct around the penalty boxes and scoring area for years. Honestly, there has been more good than bad. Well, on Monday night after the Saints beat Goffstown, several of the St. Thomas players came over to the scoring area and either fist bumped the officials with a “thank you sir”, or just verbally thanked them. Then still others, to my amazement, said “thank you sir” to me for scoring the game and announcing over the public address system. I was quite impressed. In a world of instant gratification and dwindling patience in the time spent between this thing and the ‘next thing’, impressions get washed over almost as soon as they are made. This little effort, to skate across the ice after standing up as young men and shaking hands with their opponents, to thank officials, and other adults who help make these games possible is a sign of respect and appreciation. I also want to offer that there were Goffstown players who did the same thing. It is great to see. I am even happier to see that it’s being taught, expected, and being reinforced by example. Honestly, it takes a little sting out of a 4-0 loss too. Think about that. What impression do we leave?

Goffstown gets Oyster River tomorrow night. The Bobcats are always one of the best coached teams in the state and their three losses this season have been at the hands of St. Thomas (twice, by one goal) and Bedford. It will be a tall order, but either way, it’s a great chance to stack up against the best competition in the division.

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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.