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Steve Beal Sr.

I am just a man. I am a father, a son, and a husband. I am a homemaker, caretaker, coach, writer, speaker, and photographer. I love God. I love my family. I love my country. God has blessed my family and I, and I am eternally grateful. Author of Generation Jumping: Losing those who are not lost. Downtime with my family is about as good as it gets for me. Being outdoors in nature, among the animals and the wilderness, the Created, comes pretty close. Baseball, followed by hockey, are my two favorite sports, with several others a close third. I would rather do it right the first time. Honesty, respect, and integrity are virtues that I hold dear, so I call it like I see it. Before we as a society attempt to re-define these words, I will be here telling the raw truth.

Goffstown Hockey 2018-2019: Be Legendary

I have been writing this piece for a few weeks now and it dawned on me recently that my once-rapid pace of putting words to this place had slowed to a mere trickle or re-reading of words already written. I quickly understood why. It’s because somewhere beyond reality I held hope of another game, another picture, another story, another chance to write about this group. Why must it end this way? Why must it end at all?

The Story from the Senior All-Star Classic

This write up isn’t the same. No, this one is different. This game wasn’t the same as all the rest. And from my seat at the Rinks of Exeter, maybe my glasses were slightly rose-tinted. Yesterday’s Senior All-Star Classic was fun. It was some pretty good hockey with most kids playing on lines and combinations of players that were completely new to them. But the game didn’t suffer because of it.

Griffin Cook, Colin Burke, Sebastian Beal, Colby Gamache

NH Hockey: D2 All-State Teams

NH High School Hockey Division II All-State Teams   1st Team Forward – Patrick Vetter – St. Thomas Forward – Jameson Goodridge – Dover Forward – Griffin Cook – Goffstown Defense – Keegan Youngclaus –… 

Tournament Hockey: Goffstown 0 vs. Merrimack 3

Sullivan Arena, St. Anselm College, Goffstown, NH – March 2, 2019:

There are a time or two maybe, if any times at all, that I have seen a hockey game that played out like the last Quarterfinal to start in the D2 Tournament on Saturday night. Goffstown carried the play for virtually the entire hockey game but was unable to get a puck past Ben Hardy and the Tomahawks. The Grizzlies fell, 3-0, after Merrimack added a pair of desperation, long distance, empty net goals late in the 3rd period. The #3 seed, the Grizzlies were shut out for the first time since Feb. 4th, 2017 (51 games) at Oyster River, on a night when they outshot their opponents 31-12 and lost 2-0.

Goffstown Hockey Volunteers ’19

Every year, the Goffstown Hockey team selects a charity of choice. Or, over the last two seasons, they have decided to be hands-on and not let the parents and board members run a charity night… 

Hockey: Goffstown 8 at Alvirne-Milford 3

Skate 3, Tyngsboro, MA – February 23, 2019:

Goffstown had clinched their place in the playoff seeding earlier in the week and the outcome on Saturday had no effect on their tournament placement. Then they were playing on the road against a team they beat 6-1 earlier in the season. Furthermore, the home team was battling to finish the regular season as high as 6th or as low as 8th. So, it could have been a game to take lightly. Or maybe they could show up way too casual and go into action lacking the discipline that has set this group apart from their competition all season. Goffstown had other ideas though and broke a 2-2 tie late in the 2nd period, scoring six goals in just more than 9 minutes to win going away, 8-3.
Griffin Cook and Jake Cole

Hockey: Goffstown 3 at John Stark-Hopkinton 1

From Lee Clement Arena, New England College, Henniker, NH – February 19, 2019:

The atmosphere was festive and felt like a big playoff game on the snowy campus of New England College. The old rink was packed with fans of both schools as well as players and fans of hockey teams from other area school districts. There was no place to park anywhere near the rink. Nor was there any place to walk except to mingle with the auto traffic that choked every inch of visible pavement. Some people even drove to the campus and went home without seeing the game because they couldn’t get near the place. The draw was the undefeated John Stark-Hopkinton General Hawks hosting D2 Goffstown in a highly anticipated hockey match up. The game did not disappoint. Goffstown skated out of town with a thrilling 3-1 victory. They beat a team, on their home ice, on Senior night, that had an overall record of 18-0 this season, they are D3 defending champions and had won 21 straight games.

Hockey: Goffstown 5 vs. Oyster River 4 (OT)

From Sullivan Arena, St. Anselm College, Goffstown, NH – February 16, 2019:

A senior, defense first, defenseman, Jacob Noonan, saw an opportunity and he made the most of it. As he made a beeline to the net with carrying the puck, the balance of the game was on his stick. Noonan ripped a shot that Colin Clark saved but the rebound landed in the crease. Somehow Clark also held his line and made a save on Griffin Cook’s stuff attempt of the rebound. Then, Grady Chretien arrived a split second later and put the puck into the net for his third goal of the night, and the overtime game-winner.

Hockey: Goffstown 9 at Winnacunnet 0

Late on Wednesday night from Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, NH – February 13, 2019:

By the time the game started the other night, it almost seemed like an afterthought. There was no public address announcing. There was a surprise playing of the National Anthem (we did stand and honor the playing of it). There were no starting lineups announced. Then finally, the puck dropped at 9 pm. Given all of that, the Grizzlies started the game like their shin pads were on fire. They came out flying, cycling and circling like an old western war party, taking the game to the Warriors. The Grizzlies took a 4-0 in the first 5:46 of the period, and never looked back.


Hockey: Goffstown 4 vs. Keene 3 (Senior Night)

From Sullivan Arena in Goffstown, NH – February 10, 2019:

It’s always nice to win on Senior Night but to beat an exceptional team, the defending champions of the league you play in, in a great game on your home ice. Well, that is something beyond special. Goffstown outlasted Keene 4-3 on a night where the senior’s effort was the theme throughout.


Hockey: Goffstown 3 at Windham 6

From Icenter Salem in Salem, NH – February 2, 2019:

The trouble with being so emotionally tied to this team is that we only expect perfection. Or at least a level very close to it. In Salem on Saturday evening, the Grizzlies lost a game that I can only really define as extremely frustrating, to a solid, quick Windham club, 6-3.

Hockey: Goffstown 3 vs. Kingswood 2 (OT)

From Sullivan Arena in Goffstown, NH – January 30, 2019:

Sometimes in hockey, the uptempo skating and pace of one team make the other team look less effective, or if nothing else, makes them look sluggish. Then again, that’s why you have to compete for all three periods or more. Goffstown battled back, tied the game late in the third, and won the game in overtime, 3-2.

Hockey: Goffstown 5 vs. Spaulding 1

From Sullivan Arena in Goffstown, NH – January 26, 2019:

It’s always good to be home. Last night the Goffstown Grizzlies hockey team returned home after completing a hard-fought road win less than 24 hours earlier. And it was apparent early that Goffstown definitely had a bit more jump in their step. The Grizzlies erased an early 1-0 deficit and skated with pace and resolve to a 5-1 win over Spaulding.

Hockey: Goffstown 5 at Portsmouth-Newmarket 2

From Dover Ice Arena in Dover, NH – January 25, 2019:

After a nighttime scenic tour to some of the ice rinks in the NH Seacoast area, the Grizzlies settled into Dover Ice Arena to play the Clipper Mules of Portsmouth-Newmarket. Despite some less than aesthetically pleasing play for periods of time, Goffstown willed their way to a 5-2 road win over a team just behind them in the standings.

Another Look – Merrimack at Goffstown

Players are held accountable by parents, coaches, ADs, and officials. Coaches are held accountable by ADs, officials, and parents/boards. Officials are not held accountable, and when they’re bad, they make a mockery of the game… 

Hockey: Goffstown 2 vs. Merrimack 4

From Sullivan Arena in Goffstown, NH – January 16, 2019:

It is said that all good things must come to an end. Last night Goffstown lost on home ice for the first time in the regular season since February 8th, 2017 (Keene). That’s right, almost 2 full calendar years, and 14 straight home wins later, the regular season home streak is over. Merrimack just kept playing their game and got solid goaltending from Ben Hardy en route to a 4-2 win.

Photos from the road

The sky is everchanging. From minute to minute, light changes, colors change, it’s awesome every time.

Hockey: Goffstown 6 vs. Alvirne-Milford 1

From Sullivan Arena in Goffstown, NH – January 12, 2019:

Goffstown returned to home ice for the first time in four weeks, and they played like it was good to be home. The Grizzlies got a pair of goals from Griffin Cook in the opening 2 minutes and never looked back.

Hockey: Goffstown 2 at Dover 5

From Dover Ice Arena in Dover, NH – January 9, 2019: After last night’s trip to Dover, there remains only one team in D2 Hockey without a loss in league play, and that is Dover.… 

(Photo by Charron)

Hockey: Goffstown 5 at Somersworth-Coe-Brown 4

The Grizzlies celebrate the eventual game-winner against Somersworth-Coe-Brown. (Photo by Charron)

From Rochester Ice Arena in Rochester, NH – January 5, 2019:

If you count the Christmas Tournament, Goffstown has played 10 games so far this season. Interestingly perhaps, they have played 9 of those 10 games on the road, away from Sullivan Arena in Goffstown. The Brian C. Stone Memorial Christmas Hockey Tournament was played at JFK Coliseum in Manchester, NH.

Hockey: Goffstown 7 at Keene 4

From Keene Ice in Keene, NH – January 2, 2019:

It’s a new year, and the Grizzlies made the long trip over some rather large hills to play at Keene, looking for a new result. Goffstown hadn’t beaten Keene in a hockey game since a 3-2 win at home on January 17, 2015. As a matter of fact, the Black Birds had won five straight against Goffstown, and by a lopsided total score of 27-7. 

Oh, What Fun It Is To Play…

It was a great week. It was a record breaking week. It was a really fun week. It was Christmas week.

Brian Stone Memorial Christmas Hockey Championship: Bedford 4 at Goffstown 3

From J.F.K. Coliseum in Manchester, NH, December 29, 2018:

There is a team in Division II hockey that has compiled 36 regular season victories over the last 3 seasons. Yet, nobody counts them anything but usually out. They played Division I powerhouse, Bedford on Saturday afternoon at JFK Coliseum in Manchester for the title at the Brian C. Stone Memorial Christmas Hockey Tournament. 

Brian Stone Memorial Christmas Tournament: Goffstown 6 at Manchester Central/West 0

From J.F.K. Coliseum in Manchester, NH, December 28, 2018:

Goffstown played their third and final game of the round-robin section of the tournament on Friday afternoon, against Manchester Central/West. The Grizzlies were looking to go undefeated in their three tournament games for the first time in their history of playing in the Manchester Christmas Tournament (Brian C. Stone Memorial Christmas Tournament as of this year).

Brian Stone Memorial Christmas Tournament: Bow 0 at Goffstown 6

From J.F.K. Coliseum in Manchester, NH, December 27, 2018:

It was nice to show up to the rink and have the honor of listening to our National Anthem sung before the game. Being the first game of the day, the Anthem was played. The Bow Falcons and Goffstown Grizzlies, each entered the day with a 1-0 record in the tournament.

Brian Stone Memorial Christmas Tournament: Goffstown 7 at Manchester Memorial 3

From J.F.K. Coliseum in Manchester, NH:

After Concord shutout Hanover 2-0, in the Brian C. Stone Memorial Christmas Hockey Tournament opener, the second game, between Goffstown and Manchester Memorial started slowly. Well sort of.

Hockey: Goffstown 6 at Lebanon-Stevens-Mt. Royal 3

From James F. Campion Arena in West Lebanon, NH – December 19, 2018:

Goffstown went to Lebanon for their third road game in their first four games of the 2018-2019 campaign and earned a convincing 6-3 victory.

Hockey: Goffstown 6 vs. Winnacunnet 5 (OT)

From Sullivan Arena in Goffstown, NH – December 15, 2018:

For the second game in a row, there was a pre-game tribute of sorts to someone who has been taken too early from this earth. I was asked to lead the moment from the booth, which I had no problem with. When I asked for some direction on what to say, or in what order, etc. I was told, “just wing it”.

Hockey: Goffstown 10 @ Merrimack 5

From West Side Arena in Manchester – December 12, 2018

As I sat down to write this recap, I literally removed my baseball cap and sat in silence for 22 seconds to honor Hunter Burke and the Burke family as I had done with the crowd at West Side Arena yesterday afternoon.