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 Continue Reading...
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 Continue Reading...
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 Continue Reading...
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 Continue Reading...
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 Continue Reading...
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 Continue Reading...
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. Continue Reading...
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. Continue Reading...
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. Continue Reading...
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 Continue Reading...