Monday, November 16, 2009

ATLANTA KNIGHTS TOP WOLVERINES 6-2





BA and Atlanta squared off in the final game of the Warrior Classic. Atlanta definitely came out flying, peppering Goalie Robby Campbell (Braintree, MA/Braintree High School) with 18 first period shots. "We did a terrible job in front of our own goal. We left Robby all alone too often and Atlanta made us pay," said Head Coach Jonathan Lounsbury. The Knights scored 6 goals in the first half, all within 4 feet of the goal. We have some big, tough defensemen, but they were outworked and out muscled by the Knights" quoted Assistant Coach Mike Meserve. BA did manage one goal in the first half. Patrick Sen (Niles, IL/Loyaola Academy) scored to make it a 6-1 game. Tad Gold (Oaks Bluffs, MA/Martha's Vineyard High School) and Trey Rasmussen (West Tisbury, MA/Martha's Vineyard High School) collected the helpers on Sen's third goal of the tournament.

Whatever was said in intermissions must of worked, BA came out running and gunning. They controlled the play down low, limited some shots in front and managed to win the period 1-0. Nate Potter (White River Junction,VT/Hartford High School) stopped all 22 shots he faced, including a nice glove save on a partial breakaway. Sen scored his 2nd goal of the game and 4th of the tournament when he took a feed from Gold and buried the puck past the Atlanta keeper.

Coach Meserve noted,"We had one bad period all weekend. We played our best hockey to date and I am extremely pleased how hard we battled."

WOLVERINES END LOSING STREAK




Bridgton Academy ended a seven game losing streak by defeating the Ontario Hockey Academy 4-1. Bridgton has been playing some great hockey, but have had some real tough breaks of late.
In this contest, BA came out flying. Peppering the OHA goalie with 12 first half shots. OHA did manage to score on a loose puck, but BA answered right back when George Costa (Winthrop, MA/Winthrop High School) out muscled a OHA player for the goal. Nick Billingham (Oak's Bluff, MA/Martha's Vineyard High School) and Tom MacInnes (Plymouth, MA/Plymouth North High School) picked up the assist. Tied 1-1, BA responded five minutes later when Patrick Sen (Niles, IL/Loyola Academy) scored a power play goal with Mike Iacobucci (Franklin, MA/Franklin High School) and Tad Gold (Oaks Bluffs/Martha's Vineyard High School)grabbing assists. BA's power play was excellent moving the puck around and opening seems.
In the second period, BA continued to control the puck down low driving puck after puck to the OHA net. Sen scored his second goal of the game when he took a feed from Gold and went in on a breakway. He faked forehand and left a backhand right under the crossbar. Not to be outdone, Costa put in his second goal of the game when he banged in a Kyle O'Connell (Bridgewater, MA/B-R High School) shot. MacInnes also picked up his second assist of the game.
Ian Edwards (Linden, MI/Motor City Chiefs) stopped 14 shots and picked up the win for BA.

BRIDGTON VS NSA REMATCH

Bridgton's first game in the Warrior Classic was a rematch against National Sports Academy. Bridgton's game plan was to limit the amount of shot in the slot and to use three different forecheck systems. "Overall, it worked very well. We confused NSA on the breakout by using our standard aggressive forecheck, then we implemented a trap, then we used a third forecheck to eliminated d to d puck movement" said Head Coach Jonathan Lounsbury. The only scoring in the first half was a power play goal by NSA. Nate Potter (White River Junction, VT/Hartford High School)turned aside the other 10 shots he faced that period. Defensively, Trey Rasmussen(West Tisbury, MA/Martha's Vineyard HS)and Dave Stevens (Lynn, MA/Lynn English High School)did a real nice job shutting down their opponents.
The second half saw BA create more scoring opportunities by caring the puck deep in the offensive territory. BA was able to use their size in attacking the goal over and over. Finally, Defenseman Tim Haroules (Westford, MA/Westford Academy) snuck a shot from the point past the NSA goaltender. Patrick Sen(Niles, IL/Loyola Academy)and Rasmussen picked up the assists. However, seven minutes later, NSA capitalized on a BA turnover and took a one goal lead. Bridgton continued to press the attack, but were unable to find the back on the net. Overall, it was BA's most complete game of the season. Bridgton looks to rebound Saturday 2:00pm against the Ontario Hockey Academy.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

WOLVERINES FALL TO RANGERS 5-4





Games are played over 60 minutes and for the first 20 minutes the Wolverines dominated the Boston Junior Rangers. BA outshot the Rangers 15-13 and went into the first intermission with a 2-1 lead. Pat Sen (Niles, IL/Loyola Academy) scored his fourth goal of the season. Sen's powerplay goal came when he banged in a rebound in front of the net. Evan Schwender (Saundertown, RI/North Kingston High School) and Tad Gold (Oak Bluff, MA/Marthas Vineyard High School) picked up the assists. With BA up 1-0 they countinued their attack. Corbin Bourque (Charlestown, MA/Lexington High School) took a feed from Tom MacInnes (Plymouth, MA/Plymouth North High School) and walked in alone to beat the Ranger's goalie. Schwender also picked up his second assist of the game. The rangers manged to sneak one by Robby Campbell (Braintree, MA/ Braintree High School)just before the break.
The start of the second period saw the Rangers pushing the Wolverines all over the ice. The Rangers scored two unanswered goals and had a 3-2 lead until Pat Martin (Hanover, MA)/Hanover High School) buried a Darren Casey-Covell (Orono, MA/Bangor High School) rebound to tie the game going into the intermission. Kyle O'Connell(Bridgewater, MA/Bridgewater-Raynham High School) also added an assist on the tying goal.
When things are going bad, usually a few lucky bounces help. However, the Wolverines were the victims of a few bad breaks. The Rangers took a 4-3 lead on a power play goal. A shot from the point, which was going wide, hit the shaft of a stick and deflected pass Campbell. Bridgton came right back to tie the game when Colin Hurd (West Tisbury, MA/Marthas Vineyard High School) took some abuse in front on another rebound goal. Martin and Casey-Covell picked up the assists.
Unfortunately, another bad break led to Rangers game winner. With nine minuted remaining, the Wolverines threw everything at the Rangers, but were unable to score.
The Wolverines look to get back on track next weekend when they participate in the Warriors Classic Tournament in Haverhill, MA. The first game of the weekend will be a rematch against National Sports Academy Friday November 13th, 3:30 PM.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

WELCOME TO THE EJHL




The South Shore Kings shot and shot and shot. They finished with 72 shots for the game and and 11-0 win. BA learned a valuable lesson about competing every second or every shift. The Kings used a great transition game and worked the puck to the high slot. BA's goalies did a great job stopping the first shot, but were unable to stop the second or third rebounds.
BA finished with 14 shots and was 0-5 on the power play.

KODIAKS TAKE DOWN BA 3-1

Bridgton Academy played one of their better games of the season, but couldn't crack the Kodiak's goalie. Bridgton played a much tougher game than their past few. They finished checks and really made the Kodiaks pay for every inch of ice. Nate Potter (Hartford, VT) stopped 13 of 14 shots he faced in the first 25 minute period. Unfortunately, BA's penalty killed allowed a later first period goal. BA finished the period strong and Darren Casey-Covell (Orono, ME) made a nice move in the offensive zone, cut to his forehand and buried a wrist shot low blocker side. Colin Hurd (West Tisbury, MA) and David Stevens (Lynn, MA) picked up the assists.
The second half, was more of the same. Ba controlled the 5-5 play. Overall for the game, BA only allowed 9 shots when the team was even strength. Special teams proved to be BA's downfall. With BA on the powerplay, the Kodiaks got a lucky bounce and scored shorthanded. The game continued back and forth, BA desperately trying to even the score. Shorthanded, BA saw their hopes dashed as the Kodiaks scored their second power play goal of the game.
"I thought our team really battle tonight. We just couldn't capitalize on our chances" said Head Coach Jonathan Lounsbury.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

WARRIOR CLASSIC SCHEDULE

Friday 11/13/09 3:30 PM National Sports Academy
Saturday 11/14/09 2:00 PM Ontario Hockey Academy
Saturday 11/14/09 8:00 PM Atlanta Knights

All games will be played at:
Haverhill Valley Forum
7 Parkridge Road
Haverhill, MA 01835
(978) 557-5518
Come cheer on your Wolverines!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

BA HOCKEY WEEKEND REMINDER

BA Wolverines weekend schedule:
Friday 11/6 8:30pm Eastern Kodiaks at Exeter, NH
Saturday 11/ 7 5:10pm South Shore Kings (EJHL) at Foxboro, MA
Sunday 11/8 2:10pm Boston Junior Rangers at Foxboro, MA

BULLDOGS BITE WOLVERINES




The Boston Bulldogs took apart BA Sunday afternoon 8-2. The Bulldogs simply outworked and outplayed the unenergized BA Team. Through 1 period, the Bulldogs led 4-0 and outshot BA 19-3. The 2nd and 3rd period where a much better indicator of how BA is capable of playing. The Wolverines brought back their hard nose style and manged to pressure the Bulldogs. BA scored their first goal, when Mike Iacobucci (Franklin, MA) buried a rebound off a George Costa (Winthrop, MA) shot. Patrick Sen (Niles, IL) also added an assist on the play. BA then added their second goal of the game when Sen drove in a rebound off the stick of Kyle O'Connell (Bridgewater, MA). Their second goal came on the power play, which up to this point lacked any results. Costa picked up his second assist of the game, using his big 6'3" body to drive the net and engage Bulldog players. Goalie Ian Edwards (Linden, MI) finished with 25 saves through 30 minutes, while Goalie Robby Campbell (Braintree, MA) stopped 22 the rest of the way.
BA has some room for improvement and thus far has been unable to play a complete 60 minutes. If they want to be successful Coaches Lounsbury and Meserve will have to figure a way to light a fire under them.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Your 2009-2010 Wolverine Hockey Team

BA FALLS TO NSA 5-1




The Wolverines suffered a tough loss at the hands of the National Sports Academy. NSA came out flying and never looked back after taking a 3-0 lead after the first period. In the first period, BA was outshot 21-4. Goalie, Robby Campbell (Braintree, MA), played outstanding in goal turning aside shot after shot. Bridgton's lone goal came on the power play. Patrick Thornton (Dublin, CA) snapped a shot from the top right circle just under the crossbar. Pat's first goal of the season came on the power play. However, the speed of NSA proved too much for BA as their record fell to 5-3 overall.
On Sunday, Bridgton welcomes the Boston Bulldogs of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League. Faceoff will be at 11am.