March 05, 2023 – NHIAA QuarterFinal – (#5) Goffstown 0 at (#4) Merrimack 3. There were 35+ minutes of scoreless hockey to start this game. Who netted the first goal was of the utmost importance. The Tomahawks cashed in on a 2-on-1. The Goffstown Grizzlies season ended in the NHIAA Quarterfinal.
This type of thing has happened before. On March 2, 2019, the Goffstown Grizzlies pounded the Merrimack net with 36 shots while allowing only 13 shots against Kyle LaSella. Merrimack won, 3-0 after a pair of empty net goals, and Ben Hardy was unbeatable in net for the Tomahawks that night at Sullivan Arena.
Goffstown had 13 shots on Matt Licata in the opening period. Merrimack only had 5 shots on Jake Webber. Honestly, though, there were some pretty good chances mixed in for both sides. This could have easily been, 2-1, or 3-2 after one period. Goffstown had one power play opportunity in the period, but not much came from the advantage.
In the second period, the Tomahawks upped their game. They outshot the Grizzlies 10-5 in the period and held the puck for long periods of time in the offensive zone. They also had a pair of power play chances in the period. I would almost guarantee that there were more blocked shots in this period than in any of the regular season full games for either team. There was a lot on the line for these teams, and they both played up to the intensity surging through the building.
After two periods, there was no score. Webber had 15 saves. Licata had 18 saves. There had been 7 penalties called in the game. I am not a betting man, but I’d bet that both sides had issues with the calls made and not made. Thankfully though, the players kept raising their games, playing through adversity, advantage, and disadvantage. It was great hockey. And for the most part, it was about the kids, and that’s how it should be.
In the final period, Licata made a couple spectacular saves in the opening minutes. Merrimack took a penalty. The Grizzlies had a power play. Then, Conor Dunn picked off a puck at center ice and raced up the left wing at full tilt. He centered the puck, perfectly, to Eliot Medlock for a one-timer from the slot. Webber slid side to side but couldn’t make the save. It was, 1-0 on the shorthanded goal, at 5:33 of the final period.
At 9:17 of the period Merrimack scored again. After Nick Caldwell was rocked at the offensive blue line (away from the puck), Noah Kahn threw a pass to the boards where Owen Miner skated up left wing on an innocent looking play. Miner flipped a shot off of Jake Webber’s pads and the puck came right to an open Conor Dunn who smacked the puck into the net. 2-0. It was a tough break for the visitors.
Goffstown finished their surprising season with a ‘better than expected’ 11-9-2 record overall. They absolutely improved as the season played on. They scored 65 goals as a team, and became much more difficult to play against. Yes, we will absolutely miss the seniors leaving the program behind for bigger and better things beneath the bright skies of their future. The Grizzlies graduate a lot of minutes, points, saves, and leadership. The returning players and upcoming Goffstown Grizzlies look to carry the banner forward and raise the bar in honor of the teammates before them.
At Sullivan Arena, on February 18, 2023. The Goffstown hockey program and their extended hockey family recognized the following Seniors in their Senior Night Ceremony. Thank you for being a part of this wonderful program.
Avery Morgan – Team Manager
#1 Jake Webber – Goaltender
#3 Brandon Bograd – Forward
#5 Jake Klardie – Forward
#10 Jack Wilkinson – Forward
#11 Corbin Huntley – Defense
#12 Xavier Bibaud – Defense
#13 Brennan Pierce – Defense
#14 Annie St. Cyr – Forward
#31 Ethan Santoro – Goaltender
The hockey for this season is done. The final buzzer has sounded: We will miss each of them, and we truly wish them the very best moving forward. It was my honor and pleasure to be a part of the ceremony this season. It has been my honor and my pleasure to be so close to the action for the entirety of your NHIAA hockey careers. Thank you.
Standings: Boys Ice Hockey Division II
NOTE: The following are not official NHIAA standings. They are only the accumulation of game results as reported by the athletic directors and coaches.
Click here to view the schedules for all of the teams below.
| School | W | L | T | Points | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1) St. Thomas Aquinas | 13 | 4 | 1 | 56.00 | 3.1111 |
| 2) Dover | 12 | 6 | 0 | 49.00 | 2.7222 |
| 3) Oyster River | 12 | 6 | 0 | 49.00 | 2.7222 |
| 4) Merrimack | 11 | 6 | 1 | 47.00 | 2.6111 |
| 5) Goffstown Grizzlies | 10 | 6 | 2 | 45.00 | 2.5000 |
| 6) Winnacunnet | 10 | 6 | 2 | 45.00 | 2.5000 |
| 7) Somersworth-Coe-Brown | 10 | 8 | 0 | 40.00 | 2.2222 |
| Alvirne-Milford | 7 | 10 | 0 | 29.00 | 1.7059 |
| Spaulding | 4 | 14 | 0 | 16.00 | 0.8889 |
| Portsmouth-Newmarket | 4 | 14 | 0 | 16.00 | 0.8889 |
| Timberlane | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.0000 |
NHIAA Hockey Bracket D2
NHIAA QuarterFinal:
Updated records.
#5 Goffstown (10-7-2 NHIAA) (11-9-2 Overall) at #4 Merrimack (12-6-1)
West Side Arena, Manchester, NH
Sunday, March 05, 2023. 7:31 PM Start.
Summary:
Goals:
Goffstown: 00 – 00 – 00 = 00
Merrimack: 00 – 00 – 03 = 03
Shots:
Goffstown: 13 – 05 – 11 = 29
Merrimack: 05 – 10 – 10 = 25
Scoring:
1st Period: No Scoring.
2nd Period: No Scoring.
3rd Merrimack at 5:33. SHG. Eliot Medlock from Conor Dunn.
3rd Merrimack at 9:17. Even. Conor Dunn from Owen Miner and Noah Kahn.
3rd Merrimack at 14:30. Empty. Owen Miner from Ryan De Beaucourt and Eliot Medlock.
Special Teams:
Goffstown Power Play: 0 for 3.
Merrimack Power Play: 0 for 2.
Saves:
Goffstown: Jake Webber 22 of 24. (.917). (44:11)
Merrimack: Matt Licata 25 of 25. (1.000). (45:00)
Remembering Jen Cheney…
The Jen Cheney Memorial Scholarship and Sportsmanship Award (awarded each season)
As a sixteen-year-old junior, Jen was a manager for the very first Goffstown Grizzlies hockey team in the 1999-2000 club season. Her infectious smile and friendly nature was a joy for everyone fortunate to know her. Jen is now our eternal team angel. The spirit of Jen lives on…our team champions an angel memorial patch sewn to each uniform jersey.
On Thursday, May 18th, 2000, Jen was killed by a drunk driver. We are dedicated to memorialize Jen’s life with the Jen Cheney Memorial Scholarship and Sportsmanship Award. But we also want to deliver a message from our team angel… simply…if you choose to drink, don’t drive.
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.