EDWARDS AND BRIDGTON DEFENSE SHUTOUT KENTS HILL 2-0

Bridgton Academy limited The Kents Hill School to 14 shots thanks to great end zone defense and outstanding goaltending. Goalie Ian Edwards(Linden, MI/Motor City Chiefs) was outstanding the few times he was tested and picked up his third shutout of the season. Additionally, Captain Kyle O'Connell(Bridgewater, MA/Bridgewater-Raynham High) and the rest of the Wolverine defense physically dominated Kents Hill most of the game.
The first period saw the BA power play put 19 shots on the Kents Hill goalie, but only managed one power play goal. Defensemen David Stevens(Lynn, MA/Lynn English High) picked up an assist when he moved the puck down low to Tad Gold(Oak Bluff, MA/Martha's Vineyard High). Gold then fired a low shot on goal, that Nick Billingham(Oak Bluff, MA/Martha's Vineyard High) immediately buried in the back of the net. "When you see a team take 19 shots in period, you expect to have 3 or 4 goals. However, a majority of our shots where from the point and no one was camped in front looking to bury a rebound" said Assistant Coach Mike Meserve.
The second period showed BA playing very passively. Not a lot of puck control and lots of dump and chase play. The Wolverines outshot Kents Hill 12-9, but neither side produce many quality scoring opportunities.
BA put the game out of reach in the third, when Gold redirected a Jake Donahue(Swampscott, MA) bomb from the point. BA continue to control the puck down low, but were unable to convert. BA finished with 37 shots on goal and walked away with a 2-0 win.
Overall, it was a solid performance by the Wolverines and their 6th win out of 8 games. BA will complete their season against the New England Stars. Saturday's 4:00PM game will be played at the Bridgton Ice Arena and Sunday's game is a 12 Noon at Dracut, MA.

Sen Selected as Co-Athlete of the Month

The time preceding and immediately following break are traditionally difficult for the BA sports programs. The guys tend to look ahead to break and then lag upon returning from break. As a team, the Wolverine hockey team fell into this trap during December and January. All the while, however, Patrick was a model of consistency.

For the early winter, Patrick helped carry the team. His 5 goals and 4 assists led the team and overall for the month and he demonstrated that he is the Wolverines strongest offensive player. His 3 goals in the Northwood tournament helped the team in tough losses to Northwood and Nichols and a strong win over Rothesay. His play in the Eastern Junior Hockey League Showcase helped put in on the map for New England college coaches.

On the ice is not the only place where Pat shone in this month. He was awarded for high honors for the first semester and ranks as one of the top students in the school. Additionally, he has played a large role for the BA Hockey Goal Program in which team members volunteer at the local elementary school and help the students with schoolwork.

For Pat’s contribution to the Wolverine Hockey program and to the entire Bridgton Academy community, he is awarded Co-Athlete of The Month for Early Winter 2009-2010.

RICE FALLS TO LATE BA EFFORT

Bridgton Academy Hockey travelled to South Burlington, VT to play their third game against Rice AAA. The first 2 meetings saw Rice walk away with two hard earned victories. After a two week break, Coach Lounsbury and Coach Meserve were extremely worried about losing the competitive edge their team has developed. The first period showed BA controlling the puck down low and putting some great pressure on Rice. However, BA was no able to produce many shots. At the same time, Rice was forced to play the perimeter in all zones against the bigger opponent. The first period ended with a 0-0 tie and Rice outshooting BA 5-3. Nate Potter(Hartford, VT) easily turned aside the first 5 shots he faced. T
The second period saw Rice down a man and BA moving the puck great on the power play. Tad Gold(Oak Bluff, MA/Martha's Vineyard High) gave BA a 1-0 lead after Nick Billingham(Oak Bluff, MA/Martha's Vineyard High) feed Gold from behind the net. Linemate Pat Sen(Niles, IL/Loyola Academy) also assist on the power play tally. However, the Bridgton lead was shortlived. Rice tied the score on a power play goal of their own and took the lead 2-1 just as another power play expired. The second period saw BA in the penalty box for 10 of the 15 minute period.
The third period was a totally different story. Bridgton fired 12 shots on goal and only allowed 1. With about 5 minutes remaining and BA all over the Rice zone, Defenseman Jake Donahue(Swampscott, MA) evened the score with a howitzer from the point. Once, twice, three times, it looked like BA scored for the lead. Finally, with 50 seconds on the clock, Captain Kyle O'Connell(Bridgewater, MA/Bridgewater-Raynham High) drove a puck on net from the point. Sen alertly deflected the shot up and over the Rice goalie to give BA the win. Potter turned aside 15 shots and picked up the win for BA.

SHORTHANDED LINEUP DOOMS BA

Bridgton Academy travelled to Standstead College in Quebec and were soundly defeated 7-0. With a limited roster due to illness and injury, BA struggled to find their game and Standstead capitalized over and over. "Guys like Dave Stevens and Pat Thornton were sick as a dogs and still came out and gave their all. We just didn't have it today" said Assistant Coach Mike Meserve. BA looks to rebound with a few days off. Messerve added, "At this point of the year, we hope guys will realize their bodies and brains need some time to recover. In some programs, you see guys being selfish, not realizing they need to physically and mentally recover for the good of the team. We encourage guys to stay away from the ski slopes and other activities which are too demanding on hockey players body. The guys should be mature enough to put the team first."

WOLVERINES COME BACK AND COME BACK BIG

The Wolverines travelled to Rockland, Ma to take on a the Bay State Breakers. Looking to build on their consistent play from Wednesday game, the Wolverines came out flying. Controlling the puck down low in the offensive zone has been key for the Wolverines. Captain Kyle O'Connell(Bridgewater, MA/Bridgewater Raynham High) set the tempo from the first shift when he handed out a devastating hit. Jake Donahue(Swampscott, MA) followed suite with a few crushing hits of his own. However, after one period, BA was down 2-1.
The second period started a little slower than the first. The Wolverines struggled with the high tempo pace the Breakers brought and found themselves down 5-1.
The third period was just the opposite of the second. The Wolverines moved their feet, finished checks and controlled the play. However, with 8 minuted gone in the period, things didn't look good for BA. The bounces BA has worked for all year finally showed up. BA scored again and again and again...finally with less than three minutes to play and the score tied. Pat Martin(Hanover, MA) buried a backhanded in for the game winner. BA sealed the game a few minutes later with an empty net score.
Game recaps:
Patrick Sen 1G 2A
Tad Gold 2G 2A
Nick Billingham 1G 3A
Casey Helms 1G (Game Tying)
Pat Thornton 1G
Patrick Martin 1G (Game Winner)
Robby Campbell 23 saves

TOUGH GAME, TOUGH PLAY, TOUGH RESULTS

BA travelled to New Hampton Wednesday and were defeated 4-2. Tad Gold(Oak's Bluff, MA/Martha's Vineyard High) and Tom MacInnes(Plymouth, MA/Plymouth North High) gave BA a quick 2-0 lead. The Wolverines worked the puck deep and generated some great scoring opportunities throughout the entire game. This contest was definitely chippy and very physical. Both teams punished each other all over the ice.
In the second period, BA could not capitalize on any good bounces. However, what little bounces BA got, New Hampton seemed to find them. New Hampton scored two in the second to tie the score.
The third was just as physical as the first two periods. Green and Grey bodies littered the ice after each and every play. New Hampton took a 3-2 lead and managed to hang on, before they scored an open net goal with 5 seconds to go.

SEN LEADS WOLVERINE OFFENSE

In the home and home finale, BA defeated the Boston Junior Rangers 6-3 at Bridgton Ice Arena. Patrick Sen(Niles, IL/Loyola Academy) picked up a struggling BA offense by scoring three goals for his first Bridgton Academy hat trick. Bridgton offense clicked well and often as they put 35 shots on the Rangers' goalie. Attack was the theme of the game and Bridgton did a great job controlling the puck down low and setting up high in the slot. Like the previous night, Nick Billingham(Oaks Bluff, MA/Martha's Vineyard High) beat the Rangers goal, low glove side after receiving a nice outlet pass for Jesse Shavel(Cumberland, ME/Greely High) and Casey Helms(Sandwich, MA). BA continued to press the attack when Sen scored his first off a gorgeous feed from Trey Rasmussen(West Tisbury, MA/Martha's Vineyard High) and Tad Gold(Oaks Bluff/Martha's Vineyard High). BA extended their to 3-0 thanks to Aaron Semiao's(North Reading, MA) even strength tally. BA closed out the first period with their forth goal and Sen's second of the game. Sen power play goal was a nice one timer from Billingham, who worked behind the net to allow Sen to slide into a shooting lane.
The second and third periods, didn't have the same flow as the first, but BA managed to bury two more pucks. Gold again found his way into the scoring column when he scored an unassisted shorthanded goal in the second. He picked off an errant pass and walked in alone on the Rangers goalie. Gold made a nice side to side move, then deposited the puck low blocker side. This goal made it a 5-2 game. With the Rangers scoring once more one the power play to make it a 5-3 game, the Wolverines sealed the game with Sen's third goal into an open net. Robby Campbell(Braintree, MA) turned aside 23 shots to pick up his fourth win of the season.
Bridgton hopes to continue their winning ways when they travel to the New Hampton School Wednesday 4:00PM.

WOLVERINES SQUEAK BY RANGER 3-2

BA has been looking for their identity all year. Good defense one game, good goal tending the next. BA has had problems putting the puck in the net. Only twice this year have the scored 5 or more goals. Tonight was a great example of how good they can play when they put 100% in for an entire game. The Wolverines out shot the Junior Rangers 38-25 and walked away with a 3-2 victory.
At practice all week, the Wolverine coaching staff has asked the offense to be more creative and put more pressure on their opponents. Casey Helms(Sandwich, MA) and Darren Casey-Covell (Orono, ME/Bangor High) executed a perfect cross and drop on a during a 3 on 2 odd man rush. Nick Billingham(Oaks Bluff, MA/Martha's Vineyard High) swung behind Helms, received a drop pass and beat the goal low blocker side.
Tied at one after one, BA again went on the attack. Another great breakout, led allowed George Costa(Winthrop, MA) and Patrick Thornton(Dublin, CA) to gain the Rangers' zone 2 on 1. Costa then slide the puck behind the Rangers' defense, where Thornton deposited the puck into an open net. Not to be outdone, the Rangers scored a power play goal 2 minuted later to even the score.
With the score tied, BA went back to what worked. Put the puck down low and put shots to the net. BA had a great opportunity on the power play, when Mike Iacobucci(Franklin, MA) one timed a David Stevens(Lynn, MA/Lynn English) off the post. Iacobucci redeemed himself when he buried in a rebound with 3:28 remaining and giving the Wolverines a 3-2 victory.
Goalie Ian Edwards(Linden, MI/Motor City Chiefs) was tested early, but stopped 23 shots and picked up the win in net. The Wolverines will play the Rangers in a home and home game Sunday at Bridgton Ice Arena.