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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?

Goffstown Hockey 2018-2019: Be Legendary

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.

Tournament Hockey: Goffstown 0 vs. Merrimack 3

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.

Hockey: Goffstown 8 at Alvirne-Milford 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 3 at John Stark-Hopkinton 1

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 5 vs. Oyster River 4 (OT)

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 9 at Winnacunnet 0

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 4 vs. Keene 3 (Senior Night)

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 at Windham 6

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 3 vs. Kingswood 2 (OT)

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