OT Winner On His First Career Goal

OT Winner On His First Career Goal

Previously he had dressed for 53 career games for the Grizzlies. In this case, dressing for a game doesn’t always mean you get on the ice for any action in that game. Saturday night Gavin Matatall dressed for his 54th varsity game, nonetheless, he entered with 0 career goals and 5 career assists. He nearly scored late in the 3rd period but Liam Gagne was somehow able to keep the puck out of the net.

Then came an overtime period, with the score knotted at 1-1.

 

 

Win The Draw

Goffstown had an offensive zone face-off. In fact, face-offs have been a major area of concern for the Grizzlies over the last four games. Notwithstanding the recent trend, the Grizzlies won the draw. Zack Tarrier to Owen St. Onge for a quick shot. St. Onge put the shot on net and Gagne saved it to the end boards. Matatall grabbed the puck behind the net and skated with it to the far corner. At this point he spun and fired a pass across the zone that somehow made it through traffic.

The Play

In any event, Zach Lessard had the puck at the point. He fired through a defender and Gagne made the save, directing the puck toward the corner. Zack Tarrier then did what he does best, he made a brilliant pass. Beside the net, just below the goal line, Tarrier took the rebound off of the back glass and made a no look backhand pass while skating toward the end of the rink.

Gagne was on the nearside post where the rebound, Tarrier, and the rest of the traffic had gone. Tarrier’s altogether remarkable pass got past the pads of Gagne to the low slot just outside the crease. Matatall was right there and he emphatically pounded the puck into the wide open net for the OT winner on his first career goal.

 

 

Back To The Beginning

After one period, the teams were tied, 0-0. During the opening period, each team had a power play opportunity, but no goals. Liam Gagne and Kyle Bennett were both on their ‘A’ game in the nets at West Side Arena. Goffstown had 11 shots while the MHBDS Warhawks had 8 shots. This of course was no surprise to anyone. These two teams play tight games every time it seems.

A Penalty Shot

The Grizzlies took their third penalty of the night in the middle period. While killing that penalty, Zack Tarrier had a breakaway bid but he was hauled down and never got a shot to the net on the play. A penalty shot was called. Tarrier skated to center ice to begin the penalty shot. Tarrier calmly skated in and certainly made no mistake with his shot. He rifled a shot through Gagne before he could drop to full butterfly. Great shot. Zack, I think I speak for a few of us, when I saw that I am glad you came back for your Senior season.

Mid-Article Update

TEAM USA just won the Gold in Men’s Ice Hockey! My wife can confirm the following. As the game began this morning I told her that Jack Hughes was going to be the hero for the US today. Then, a couple of teeth lighter, he buried the GOLDEN GOAL in OT. Assisted by the best defenseman that nobody knows.

Then, I remember 46 years ago today, when the Miracle On Ice happened.

The Rest of the Second

Aside from the penalty shot for the Grizzlies, the Warhawks outshot Goffstown 14-7 in the period. Goffstown killed two penalties in the period. During the period, I wrote in my notepad, “SOMEONE WIN A DRAW”. As you read earlier, they eventually won a big draw. Kyle Bennett bounced back from a rough outing on Wednesday night and played sensational in net for the Grizzlies.

I talked to several players after the game, and every one of them mentioned Kyle as their best player in the game.

After two periods, Goffstown led, 1-0.

Third Period

The MHBDS Warhawks scored the only goal of the 3rd period. Gagne made some incredible saves in the period to keep Goffstown off the board. Bennett was amazing even if the one goal got by him. He made a couple of stops and the Grizzlies could not clear the crease before Colin Hamlin pushed the puck into the net with 8:18 left in regulation.

Goffstown killed a penalty right after Hamlin scored. Then the Grizzlies finished the last 1:28 of the period on the power play. Goffstown didn’t really push the power play. It looked more like the old “Four Corners” spread offense that Dean Smith (UNC Legendary Coach) used with Phil Ford to run time off the clock and secure leads.

Either way, the game went to an overtime period.

Winning Goal Was a First Goal

After a three-minute intermission, the power play carried over for 32 seconds into overtime. The Warhawks killed the penalty. Then, in conclusion, the draw that was won led to the winning goal that was also a first goal.

Another Update

And tears run down my face as the Star-Spangled Banner plays in Italy. After that, I was not ready for the Gaudreau kids on the ice with the team and Johnny’s jersey. Whoa. Emotions playing out in tears spilling over a smile.

 

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1st Period Scoring

No Scoring.

2nd Period Scoring

1. 8:31 – Goffstown Grizzlies – Penalty Shot – Zack Tarrier unassisted. 1-0.

3rd Period Scoring

1. 6:42 – MHBDS Warhawks – Even Strength – Colin Hamlin from Bryson Smith. 1-1.

OT Scoring

1. 0:55 – Goffstown Grizzlies – Even Strength – Gavin Matatall (First Career Goal) from Zack Tarrier and Zach Lessard. OT Game-Winning Goal. 2-1.

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Goffstown Grizzlies at Merrimack-Hollis Brookline-Derryfield School .

West Side Arena, Manchester, NH.

NHIAA Hockey: Game nineteen.

Saturday, February 21, 2026.

NHIAA Hockey:

Scoring:
Goffstown Grizzlies: 00 – 01 – 00 – 01 = 02 (OT)

MHBDS Warhawks: 00 – 00 – 01 – 00 = 01 

Shots on goal:

Goffstown Grizzlies: 11 – 08 – 10 – 03 = 32 (OT) 

MHBDS Warhawks: 08 – 14 – 09 – 00 = 31 

Goffstown Grizzlies Penalties:

• 1st – Hill – 2:00 – Hooking.
• 1st – Lessard – 2:00 – Roughing.
• 2nd – Hill – 2:00 – Interference.
• 2nd – Tramontozzi – 2:00 – Roughing.
• 3rd – Fratus – 2:00 – Slashing.

Goffstown was 0-for-2 on the power play, while the MHBDS Warhawks were 0-for-4.

• Goffstown Grizzlies – Kyle Bennett (Jr.) made 30 saves on 31 shots (.968).
• MHBDS Warhawks – Liam Gagne (Jr.)  made 30 saves on 32 shots (.938).

 

 

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