Hockey coverage that includes Youth, Travel, Club Hockey.
First of all, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Personally, I love the season, but love the reason even more. Secondly, our hockey team and hockey family were back at the rink the day after Christmas for a game in Concord, NH.
After a spirited win against the Cyclones in one of the more intense scrimmages I have seen, the Flames had to play a tough Rochester team early the following morning.
Once upon a time, there was a year when facts and fears were so hard to separate,
And a health hazard gained so much attention, boys and girls couldn’t even ice skate.
With interstate hockey shut down due to health concerns, the New Hampshire teams have been solely playing each other for the last several weeks. Then, to help fill a potential gap in schedules for virtually every youth hockey team in NH, the 2020 Turkey Shootout tournament came along.
While many places are not allowing travel hockey between states, the 2010 Flames loaded up on New Hampshire competition over the weekend. The Flames played a pair of games on Saturday and did it again on Sunday.
The ride out to Rochester was a lot of fun as my son and I shared many laughs along the way. We generally have a pretty good time together on these rides to hockey rinks all over New England. Once we arrived at Rochester Ice Arena it was time to be herded through protocols.
Most all go along with the rules set in place by authorities either because they wrap their heads around the rule and conform as such. Or they follow because the sacrifice of following is worth the result gained to the vested individual. Either way, the hockey community were good little performers, jumping through hoops, overcoming obstacles, balancing on thin lines, and doing what was necessary to allow healthy families to participate in teamwork and exercise after they were banned for two weeks.
Maybe all games at West Side Arena should be played on such beautiful days in the autumn. Sunday afternoon was another gorgeous day to be outside, even if the players used the warm afternoon air to loosen up and get dressed for another hockey game.
It was a gorgeous autumn morning and the only folks heading south from the foliage, pumpkins, and warm spicy concoctions throughout New Hampshire to the busy routes of Massachusetts were likely going to Ristuccia Memorial Rink. The Flames and their partial families arrived in the parking lot with smiles and lots of energy on this sunny Saturday morning.
Since most of the good folks from Massachusetts were up in New Hampshire looking at our leaves, the 2010 Flames hit the road for the first time in the 2020-2021 season. The team scored 6 goals and allowed 6 goals on the weekend, with a 1-1 record down in the Commonwealth.
I think that I speak for most of us when I say that we are thrilled to see all of these kids playing a sport that they love. There is healing for everyone in the spaces found in and around youth sports if you are willing to look.
It was my first time in a rink since the finish of last season, back in March. I looked around the rink and took note of ‘Old Glory’ hanging on the wall, just to make sure I was where I thought I was.
Most April’s greet all of us hockey fans a whole lot different than this one did. With all that is going on in the world lately, it has been hard to focus on this hockey season, or any season for that matter. At least for me. In my head, I have been writing this piece for several weeks, or maybe it’s months by now. Actually, I guess I have been writing this piece in my head for at least five or more years. Another high school hockey season has come to an end, well sort of. The 2019-2020 high school hockey season ended for Goffstown on the ice as it did for most others, but the State Tournament semifinalists’ were left wondering what could have happened.
Finishing a youth hockey season that lasted for more than 6 months, it was remarkable to witness the progress. Even though this team still struggles with spacing, structure, and strategy, I think that is okay for 9-year-olds. The personal growth and development per individual skater is obvious.
Forward – Zach Stimeling – Merrimack
Forward – Jerred Tattersall – Keene
Forward – Grady Chretien – Goffstown
Defense – Declan Daubney – Oyster River
Defense – Brendan Tersolo – St. Thomas
Goalie – Claden Daubney – Oyster River
Sullivan Arena, St. Anselm College, Goffstown, NH – March 7, 2020:
Well folks, the time has come for some high school playoff hockey here in New Hampshire. There are three divisions in NH high school boys hockey and all three brackets are shown below. There is one division in NH high school girls hockey and that bracket is here too. Please check back to the school’s websites to make sure of times, bus departure times, and any other details that may be necessary.
Every year, the Goffstown Hockey team selects a charity of choice and this year they raised money for the ALS Association of Northern New England. In addition to that, over the last three seasons, they…
The 2010 Manchester Flames entered the GSL State Tournament as the #1 seed. They traveled to Rochester, NH on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to play in the tournament. The 2010 Flames would end up in the final on Sunday night and battle for the title.
From Sullivan Arena, St. Anselm College, Goffstown, NH – Wednesday, February 19, 2020
For the second time in four days, the Grizzlies came out and more or less shut down an opponent for the first period. In doing so against Portsmouth-Newmarket on Sunday, and then against Winnacunnet on Wednesday night, Goffstown built 1-0 leads in each game and set themselves up for eventual victories. Goffstown ultimately pulled away in the 3rd period and beat the Winnacunnet Warriors, 7-2.
The Flames went to Canton, Mass. on Saturday afternoon and skated away with a 4-2 win against a very good Jr. Terriers team. Then on Sunday, to wrap up the GSL regular season, the 2010…
From Sullivan Arena, St. Anselm College, Goffstown, NH – Sunday, February 16, 2020
Perhaps the best thing about the shellacking that the Grizzlies took out in Keene on Saturday night was that they had less than 24 hours to think about it as they had to return to the ice for another game. Yesterday afternoon, at Sullivan Arena, Goffstown welcomed the Clipper Mules of Portsmouth-Newmarket for the only game in Division II hockey. Goffstown held their opponents to one shot on goal in the first period. Then scored five goals over ten minutes in the middle period to go on and earn a much needed 8-5 victory when all was said and done.
From Keene Ice, Keene, NH – Saturday night, February 15, 2020
On Saturday Goffstown traveled to Keene for another senior night out at Keene Ice as the Black Birds bid their seniors, as well as Goffstown’s seniors a farewell. Keene’s offense was jumping early and often as they scored 4 goals in the first 12 minutes of the game and ran to a 7-1 victory.
From Sullivan Arena, St. Anselm College, Goffstown, NH – Wednesday night, February 12, 2020
Goffstown finally returned to their home ice after 32 days away from Sullivan Arena. They played host to John Stark – Hopkinton (JSH), one of the better teams in NH high school hockey. The Grizzlies fell behind 3-0 and clawed back to tie things up, sending the game to overtime. Ultimately, the visitors won the game, 4-3 in another instant classic between these two programs. The Battle of 114. I will try to tell you a little bit about it. I hope you enjoy.
Believe it or not, the 2010 Flames season is winding down. The Flames wrapped up their GSL regular season with a 4-2 win over Kearsarge on Sunday afternoon. Prior to that game, the Flames played…
From Pop Whalen Ice and Arts Center, Wolfeboro, NH – Wednesday night, February 5, 2020
In one of the more odd hockey games you might ever see, Goffstown traveled to Kingswood to play an always tough opponent on the road. Goffstown dominated the execution of scoring chances for the first 29:55 of the game, taking a 5-0 lead. Then, Kingswood scored 5 goals over a span of 7 minutes and 34.3 seconds to make this a 5-5 game with half a period to play. The Grizzlies managed get their switch flipped back on and won it, 6-5 with Grady Chretien’s fourth goal of the night at 12:31 of the third period.
On Wednesday night, February 12th, 2020, Goffstown hosts John Stark-Hopkinton in NHIAA varsity hockey. This is going to be a big night! Please join us! All proceeds from the gate will be donated to the…
After taking a pair of tight games from Henniker and Keene on Saturday the Flames had to get through two more games on Sunday.
The 2010 Flames beat Henniker in the morning game at New England College, 5-3, before taking a 3-1 decision over Keene later in the evening back at West Side Arena.
This weekend the 2010 Flames ran into a tough pair of much improved Jr. Terrier teams (black and red), losing both games. In between though, the Flames took out their frustration by punching their offense into gear against the Northern Cyclones.
The 2010 Manchester Flames were back on the ice this weekend and fortunately for us parents, all three games were in Manchester. The Flames dropped a tough game against the Jr. Terriers, 7-5 on Saturday…
On Sunday morning the 2010 Flames went up to Tilton School to play the Concord Capitals. The last time these two teams met, the Flames were able to get a 7-4 win at West Side…
The Flames had an early morning game at Phillips Exeter Academy on Saturday against NH East. The Flames ended up with an 8-4 victory against a good, and very feisty team. But honestly, maybe the…