Northwood Too Much for Wolverines

It was the tale of two teams as the Wolverines played some of their best and worst hockey while losing to Northwood 6-1. The first half of the 2-25 minute half showcase format was some of the best 25 minutes the team had played all year. The score at the end of the first half was even at 1, and shots were even at 10 each.

Something changed during the ice make as the second half would feature a Bridgton team that had not been seen before. Losing battles for loose pucks and bad turnovers characterized the Wolverine play. As a result, the Wolverines relinquished 5 goals in 25 minutes while being outshot 23-5.

Bridgton will get back to the ice on Saturday to talke ont the NJ Hitmen, the reigning champions and current first place team in the EJHL.

Wolverines Drop Game 2 with Monarchs

After a disappointing finish to game 1 of the weekend series, the Bridgton Academy hockey team came out with something to prove, and although the performance was night and day from Friday, the result was a 4-0 loss to the NH Monarchs. From the opening draw the Wolverines had the Monarchs pinned in their own end, but the inability to capitalize on that pressure proved to be the difference in the game as the Monarchs slowly pulled away. Penalties also proved to be a problem as the Monarchs scored a power play goal in the second to go up 2-0 and scored two power play goals in the late stages of the third to put the game away. Bridgton Academy will be in action this weekend at the Beantown Classic held at The Rinks at Exeter in Exeter, NH. Bridgton faces the Northwood School at 1:40 on Friday and the NJ Hitmen (2008 EJHL Champions) at 1:50 on Saturday.

Bridgton Hockey Falls to Monarchs

The Bridgton Academy hockey team faced one of its toughest challenges as they traveled to Hooksett, NH to take on the two time Tier III Junior A National Champion NH Jr. Monarchs. The Wolverines were handed a disappointing defeat 9-0. Bridgton looked strong in the opening period trading scoring opportunities with the Monarchs, but gave up 2 goals less than a minute apart in the middle portion of the period. Bridgton had ample opportunity to tie the game but could not find the back of the net. The second period saw more of the same as Bridgton could not get on the board. Trailing 3-0 with 5 minutes remaining in the second, the Monarchs exploded for 3 goals to ice the game. The third saw uninspired play from Bridgton, which only lead to more separation on the scoreboard.

The Wolverines travel back to Hooksett for game 2 of the weekend series on Saturday.

More images from Mass Mariners game

Wolverines Announce Captains

The Wolverine hockey team is proud to announce the team's selection for the 2008-2009 captains. Sean Travis (Bridgton Academy/Scituate, MA) has been selected as the team's captain, and Ben Pearl(Essex HS/Essex Junction, VT) and Matt DelGiudice (Messalonskee HS/Oakland, ME) were selected as assistant captains.

Wolverines Take Home Opener 11-1

Matt Delgiudice (Messalonskee HS/Oakland, ME) paced the Wolverine offense with 3 goals and 3 assists as the Bridgton Academy hockey team defeated the Mass Jr. Mariners 11-1 in its home opener. The Wolverines outshot its opponent 67-11. A more complete recap will follow soon.

Season is Filled With Challenge, Team is Filled With Talent

The 2008-2009 Bridgton Academy Hockey team has its work cut out for them. As Bridgton Academy continues to change the face of PG hockey, the Wolverines look to make a statement this year. After a 24-16-3 record in the previous season, players from all over the nation have begun to take notice. The word is out that Bridgton Academy is the place to play and that the Wolverines can compete with anyone. This season’s group will play the toughest, most challenging schedule ever played at Bridgton Academy. It is only fitting for a team that possesses more talent than any team in the last 20 years. With a strong foundation in the net and on defense, this looks to be another stingy year for opponents. Add to the mix a perfect combination of size and speed at the forward position, and the Wolverines have all of the pieces to be successful.

For the second season in a row, the team’s greatest strength will be between the pipes. Michael Pearless (Framingham, MA/Framingham HS) and Steven Sisler (Plano, TX/Alliance Bulldogs) prove to be a top tandem for any team. Each should garner a great deal of attention from colleges this season. Each will push the other for time, and each will give the Wolverines a chance to win every game.

On defense, the Wolverines boast some of the more talented defenseman in school history. Garrett Collins (Reading, MA/Reading HS) comes fresh off of leading Reading HS to a Super 8 Championship with teammate Quinlan Junta (Reading, MA/Reading HS). Kyle Campana (Boxboro, MA/Walpole Express) brings a great deal of experience after playing in the Met Junior Hockey League for the past two seasons while Chris Smith (Salem, MA/Mass Jr. Mariners) has been developing his skills in the IJHL. Alex Young (Lynnfield, MA/Lynnfield HS) will bring size, strength and reliability to the blueline. You may want to keep your head up if you see Cam Sady (Wilbraham, MA/Minnechaug HS) and Pat Mahoney (Scituate, MA/Scituate HS) on the ice. Each player has great awareness while stepping up in the neutral zone. Rounding out the defensive group are newcomer Ryan Beldham (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford –Menin HS) and the hard working Phil Baker-Coe (Acton, MA/Acton Boxboro HS).

Up front at the forward position, there should be no shortage of goals as the forward group not only has talent, but many have participated in State Championship teams last season. Sean Travis (Scituate, MA/Bridgton Academy) returns to the Wolverines after posting 27 goals last year for Bridgton Academy. Ben Pearl (Essex, VT/Essex HS) was honored with the Mr. Hockey Award as Vermont’s top player, while Matt Delgiudice (Oakland, ME/Messalonskee HS) finished second in Travis Roy Award voting as Maine’s top player. Rich Asselin (Westfield, MA/ Westfield HS) won a state championship last season in his second state final appearance. Thomas Paine (Superior, WI/Duluth Marshall) and Eric Siegel (Wilmington, MA/Wilmington HS) both led their teams to a state final berth and each should be a major contributor. Fred Hein (N. Reading/N. Reading HS) was a Cape Ann League All-Star. Eric Clemmenson (Farmington, CT/ Tabor Academy) is excited to get back to hockey after being sidelined last season. DJ Haskins (Quincy, MA/Archbishop Williams) is a crafty forward who will surprise many. Standing at 6’7”, Charles Lee (Lake Bluff, IL/Lake Forest Academy) should be well noticed on the ice this season. Brendan Hambleton (Nahant, MA/Swampscott HS) will add speed and grit. Nick Marshall (Bridgton, ME/Lake Region HS) and Tavish Leland (Casco, ME/Lake Region) led their high school team to its first ever playoff birth in only its second season of varsity play. Angelo Paolini (Newton, MA/Newton North HS) and Paul Tosto (Tewksbury HS/Tewksbury, MA) were both conference all-stars. Barrett Elliott (Foxboro, MA/Bishop Feehan) will provide depth to an already deep lineup with a strong work ethic and solid skillset.

With all of the challenges of the schedule, there are plenty of opportunities for this team to shine. With a dedication to hard work and development, this could be a team that is very dangerous. Coach Jamie Printz likes his chances this season. “We have the right combination of speed, size, strength, and talent. Our goaltending gives us a chance every day, and with the right team chemistry, we are poised to do great things. We are already learning what it means to be a good teammate, and those lessons are more valuable than anything else we do. I am excited to see how this group responds to the challenges set before them.”

As with any team, the games are meant to be played. The season begins October 11th with a home contest against the Mass Jr. Mariners at 1:00pm.

Player Profile- Michael Pearless

Michael Pearless
6'3"- 195lbs
Goalie
Framingham, MA

WH- What do you hope to get out of your year here at Bridgton Academy?
MP- To get better grades, better SAT scores, and to play on a team that has a 45 game schedule. As a goalie that mean a lot of playing time.

WH- What do you think when you hear BA is a "jock school"?
MP- I think it's not true, if we didn't care about classes then we wouldn't be doing massive OP (ed note: OP is what the coaches call the extra running or other work the athletes do for any number of reasons) for missing classes.

WH- What has surprised you about this year?
MP- That When I try I can do my school work well and quickly. I never did that before. I'm proud of my academics here. In high school I was the athlete, now I'm doing well in school and that is a good feeling.

WH- What is your favorite class?
MP- English Comp with Mrs. Carr. I'm surprised by that as I don't really like reading, but the class is interesting.

WH- What is your least favorite class?
MP- Taking Pre-Calc over again.

WH- If you could say something to yourself a year ago, go back in time type of a thing, what would it be?
MP- Study more, and work out in the gym! I never really worked out, it's brutal. In high school I just went to school, then practice, then I was done- it's a lot harder here.

WH- What are you learning this year?
MP- How to be successful, I'm managing my time better, using study hall to get work done.

WH- What does it mean to be a Wolverine?
MP- It means being a part of tradition. There is a lot of tradition here at Bridgton, the kids here have always been good, and they go to good schools, its good to be a part of that tradition.

WH- What are you enjoying here at BA?
MP- Everyone seems to get along, the kids are cool, the faculty is great, I can always find things to do. It goes fast, each day, there's no real down time- so at the end of the day I just want to go to bed and then we do it all over the next day- so time just seems to go fast.

WH- What do you think of the team, the level of competition?
MP- The competition is pretty good. Night in and night out it's going to be a battle which for me as a goalie is great, I get to face a lot of shots- I just hope not too many!

WH- What do you want to do when you leave Bridgton?
MP- I've always wanted to play Division 1 hockey, but I may have to play a couple years of junior hockey to do that, but that is still my goal.

WH- What hockey skills do you hope to improve?
MP- Playing the puck as a goalie, learning a lot about situational play. I feel like I have the tools, but I don't always make the best decisions.

WH- Who are some of your role models?
MP- My Dad. He played goalie in college and as a kid I always wanted to play hockey and be like him. I like it, and it give us a lot to talk about.

WH- What would you say to a future Wolverine who may be reading this?
MP- Don't waste it if you come here, work hard- you only get this one shot. I didn't work hard in high school, and this is my chance to make it up, I don't want to waste it.

Good luck to Michael and the 2008-2009 Wolverine Hockey Team.