Hockey Wins All Three Games

In the first Jr. B hockey game the team came out strong against Norwich University's club team and ended the first period up 2-0. As the game went on the Wolverines continued to pull ahead. In what was a very physical game, BA came out on top and won 6-2. The goals from BA were contributed by Erik Burke (Manchester, NH) who had two for the night, Todd Brow (Winslow, ME), Sam Parent (Hinesburg, VT), Ryan Dooley (Topsfield, MA), and Charlie Gendron (Boxford, MA). Jesse Little (Freedom, ME) played in net and saved 23 of the 25 shots he faced for the night.

The next day the Jr. B team faced Norwich for a second time, and this time the results were much closer with BA only winning 5-4. This time Brow had two goals while the other three were added by Dooley, Tim Marshall (Hull, MA), and Brooks Billingham (Martha’s Vineyard, MA). Derek Spencer (Rochester, NH) and John Fitzgerald (Arlington, MA) shared the time in net. Spencer saved 11 of 15 shots while Fitzgerald saved all 12 he faced.

The Jr. A hockey team had an exciting game as they were down 5-2 as they started the third period. However, BA came back strong scoring five unanswered goals in the third to secure the 7-5 win. Alex Bartlett (South Burlington, VT) scored the first from Stephen Laliberte (Falmouth, MA) and Tyler Albano (Beverly, MA). The second goal came from Ryan Donovan (Bridgewater, MA) off a feed from Bartlett. Donovan then assisted Ryan Menard’s (Ashland, MA) goal that started BA’s comeback. Donovan then added his second goal of the night with assists from Bartlett and Mike Peacock (Barnstable, MA). Brendan Moore (Springfield, MA) finished a pass from Laliberte followed by a goal by Laliberte assisted by Ryan Kulik (Pembroke, MA) and DJ Cavicchi (Plymouth, MA). Donovan rounded out the scoring with BA’s last goal of the game with assists from Peacock and Shawn Kenney (Braintree, MA). Will Husic (Glastonbury, CT) started in net for the Wolverines and saved 14 of the 18 shots he saw. Tyler Gallagher (Nahant, MA) also saw action in net and saved 10 of the 11 shots that came his way.

After a short break for Thanksgiving both teams will be back on the ice. The Jr. A team will travel to Norwich University to take on the Vermont Glades on December 1st at 3:30 PM. The Jr. B team will also hit the road to travel to Laconia, NH to face the Laconia Leafs at 7:00 PM on December 3rd.

Jr. A Makes it to the Warrior Classic Championship

Here is a great recap of the weekend from Coach Lounsbury and Coach Travis:

A warrior can be defined in many ways; this weekend the wolverine Jr A team made their own definition of the word warrior! In their first showcase tournament of the season the Bridgton Boys in Black and Gray were focused on the task at hand.

Game 1: vs Florida Eels

Win 6-1

The Florida Eels came out hard but were no match for the wolverines as BA rolled through their first opponent 6-1 with a win. Slick Willy Husic (Glastonbury, CT) kicked aside 16/17 shots in the win.

Goals came from Marco Spisso (Highland Falls, NY) with assists from Ryan Dooley (Topsfield, MA) and Charlie Cobb (South Burlington, VT), Brad McGovern (Haverhill, MA) with assists from Matt Buckley (Canton, MA) and Ryan Menard (Ashland, MA), Tyler Albano (Beverly, MA) with assists from Ryan Donovan (Bridgewater, MA) and Alex Bartlett (South Burlington, VT), D.J. Cavicchi (Plymouth, MA) with an assist from Stephen Laliberte (Falmouth, MA), Dan Concannon (Everett, MA) with assists from Moore and McGovern, and Ryan Kulik (Pembroke, MA) with assists from Cavicchi and Laliberte. Mike Peacock (Barnstable, MA) and John Delpadre (North Providence, RI) were both +3 on defense.

Game2: vs St. Foye

Win 3-1

This was considered the best game of the season from the entire team’s perspective. Everyone on the team bought into the system and played as a whole for 50 solid minutes. The Quebec Junior team again was no match as Bridgton put together the most complete 50 min of the season.

Goals were scored by McGovern with an assist from Buckley, Kulik from Dan Sullivan (Burlington, MA), and Cavicchi with assists from Erik Burke (Manchester, NH) and Shawn Kenney (Braintree, MA). Brad Cray (Raleigh, NC) stopped 20/21 shots in a very impressive performance.

Game 3: vs Atlanta Knights

Win 3-1

Another great challenge for the boys wearing the home white unis. Though things got a little rough at the end, the boys stuck together and had each other’s backs and won in impressive fashion, 3-1, against a very big and skilled Atlanta team.

Moore’s first goal was from Concannon and McGovern and his second from Buckley and Menard. Moore also tallied an assist with Concannon on McGoverns goal. Cray put together back to back games with another win stopping 22/23 shots, and really started to find his form with his most impressive start of the season.

Game #4: vs. NSA

Win 3-2

Bridgton looked very good early and it was an indication that they were the better team against rival Nation Sports Academy as they played against each other 4 times on the season already. Bridgton leads the series now 3-1. Cray started his third game in a row, making several point-blank saves to keep the BA boys on top. He stopped a total of 18/20 shots. Bartlett broke out with an impressive game winning goal on a solo effort moving his feet through the neutral zone and beating opposing goalie just under the cross-bar. Menard scored with assists from Buckley and Burke as well as Donovan with assists from Bartlett and Albano.

Game #5: vs Boston Jr. Bruins

Loss 5-4

After an hour and half layover between games the BA boys showed a little sign of being tired as they played their 5th game in three days. Going down 4-2 with 13 minutes to play the coaching staff called for a time out to regroup. After a motivating speech from Coach Lounsbury the boys kept their heads high and battled back scoring two goals and owning the final 10 minutes forcing the game into overtime. After a scoreless over time the tournament format went into a 5 man shootout. BA had some good opportunities as Brad McGovern and Alex Bartlett both beat the goalie but rang their shots off the post. It came down to the final shooter as the Jr. Bruins scored the lone goal ending the very impressive run from the BA Jr. A hockey team. Cray had again his best, most impressive start of the season stopping 32/36 shots and 4/5 in the shootout. He has really established himself as the backbone of the team.

BA’s goals were contributed by Moore from Concannon, McGovern from Moore and Concannon, Bartlett from Donovan, and Spisso from Buckley.

Coach Lounsbury brought the team together at the end of the game/tournament and told his players he has never been more proud of their efforts and how well they played as a team, always sticking together.

Coach Travis was happy with the way the weekend turned out. “I am very proud of these young men, they stuck together and played five outstanding hockey games as a team. They should be very proud of themselves for their efforts and putting themselves on the map to the entire hockey world,” said Coach Travis.

Jr. A Fights Back

After the Eastern Kodiaks took a 3-0 lead in yesterday’s game, BA knew they would have to work harder to make a comeback and secure the win. Ryan Donovan (Bridgewater, MA) was the first to take action as he finished a pass from Dan Sullivan (Burlington, MA) to give BA their first goal. Charlie Cobb (South Burlington, VT) scored next with assists from Stephen Laliberte (Falmouth, MA) and DJ Cavicchi (Plymouth, MA). Brendan Moore (Springfield, MA) scored BA’s third and fourth goals giving BA the lead with Dan Concannon (Everett, MA) and Ryan Menard (Ashland, MA) assisting his first and Mike Peacock (Barnstable, MA) assisting his second. Alex Bartlett (South Burlington, VT) netted BA’s fifth off a feed from Laliberte. Moore then secured the win and his hat trick as he capitalized on a pass from Brad McGovern (Haverhill, MA). Tyler Gallagher (Nahant, MA) played in net and stopped 15 of 18 shots that came his way.

WOLVERINE B DEFEATS MAINE WAVE 5-1

The Wolverine Hockey B Team overcame a sluggish start and finished strong to win 5-1 over the Maine Wave AAA U-18. "Our first period was period was not good. We didn't move our feet. Way too many power turns. Might have been the worse period of hockey we played this year" said Head Coach Mike Meserve. Finally, BA managed some offensive pressure. Todd Brow (Winslow, ME/Winslow High) drove the net on a 2 on 1 and banged in a Sam Parent (Hinesburg, VT/CVU) shot giving BA a 1-0 lead. This was Brow's team leading 6th goal of the year. However, about 45 seconds later, BA couldn't clear a rebounded and the Wave evened the score at 1-1.

Tied at one after one, BA needed to come out with a more consistent effort. Captain Todd Brow noted,"Coach Meserve and Coach Travis drove home the point of us needing to show more intensity. They were not please with our effort in the first half and the team realized we needed to crank up the effort the second half." Whatever the coaching staff said, BA responded with 4 unanswered goals and physically dominated the game. "At BA we are taught to be physical and play hard at all times. Along the boards, in front of the net, down low in both ends, we are expected to battle.....that's BA Hockey" said Wolverine Ryan Dooley (Topsfield, MA/Masco High).

The second period was the opposite of the first. BA took pucks to the net and won battles in all areas of the ice. John Delpadre (North Providence, RI/Smithfield High) buried a power play goal from the lower right circle to make it 201 BA. The Wolverines showed they can score in bunches when they crash the net. Lighting quick Charlie Gendron (Boxford, MA/Masco High) worked a 2-2 with winger Alex Bartlett(South Burlington, VT/South Burlington High). With Bartlett on his forehand driving the defender wide, Gendron moved inside and buried his 3rd goal of the year. On the power play, Erik Burke (Manchester, NH/Memorial High) scored in his 2nd goal of the year off a Brow rebound. BA ended their scoring run when big Sam Parent moved in from the high slot and received a pass from Brow. Parent one timed the shot low blocker side.

John Fitzgerald(Arlington, MA/Arlington High) received the start in goal and calmly stopped 14 of the 15 shots he faced. Additionally, Fitzgerald utilized his puck playing skills to set up a few quick breakout which led to scoring opportunities.

Wolverine B will be off until Friday November 19th and Saturday November 20th when the host the Cadets of Norwich University.

Jr. A Experiences a Tough Weekend

The Jr. A hockey team had a long weekend as they fell to both of their opponents. They opened up the weekend against the Boston Jr. Bruins. While they lost 4-2, the Wolverines played still played a great game. Shawn Kenney (Braintree, MA) and Alex Bartlett (South Burlington, VT) both set up Ryan Donovan (Bridgewater, MA) to score BA’s first goal of the game. The second came from Ryan Menard (Ashland, MA) who was assisted by Dan Concannon (Everett, MA) and Matt Buckley (Canton, MA). Willy Husic (Glastonbury, CT) played in net and saved 17 of the 21 shots he faced.

In the second game of the weekend the Jr. A team faced Stanstead Prep at home. In a closer game, the team lost 3-2. Menard scored BA’s first goal with assists from Concannon and Brad McGovern (Haverhill, MA). Stephen Laliberte (Falmouth, ME) tallied BA’s second goal of the night with help from Dan Sullivan (Burlington, MA) and Bartlett. Brad Cray (Raleigh, NC) played in net and stopped 24 of the 27 shots that came his way.

Coach Lounsbury was disappointed with the losses, but can always take something from the game. “Overall I thought the weekend was a bit sluggish. It looked as if we didn't want the puck and that alone gave the Jr. Bruins and Stanstead the confidence to beat us,” said Lousbury. He then added, “when we played hard and controlled the puck we controlled the game. We need to learn to do that for 60 minutes. As a team we need to cut back on selfish penalties and learn to work better when we don't have the puck! “

LOST DOESN'T EQUAL DEFEAT

On Sunday, the Wolverine B Hockey team traveled to Burlington, VT to take on Saint Michael's College JV. Due to injuries, the Wolverines dressed only 9 forwards and 4 defensemen. However, with the low numbers and tired legs the Wolverines played one of their best all-around games of the season. "Coach Meserve and Coach Travis have done an outstanding job teaching us how to play systems, battle for every puck and always, always move our feet" said Captain Todd Brow(Winslow, ME/Winslow High). Meserve added, "Each practice is set up to work on something specific. As a coaching staff we assess what our teams needs are and plan the practice accordingly."

BA and St. Mike's played two 25 minute periods.

The first 15 minutes of period one saw BA put 15 shots on net, while St Mike's only managed 5. "Our conditioning really helped us carry the play. Coach Meserve wants us to get the puck down low and outwork the other teams" said Forward Ryan Dooley(Topsfield, MA/Masco High). St Mike's scored the first goal of the game when a defenseman blasted a shot top corner past a screened Jesse Little(Freedom, ME/Winslow, High). Down, but not out, Bridgton went on the power play and hammer shots on the St Mike's goalie. Finally, Dooley working on the left half wall, slide a pass up to defenseman Shawn Kenney(Braintree, MA/Braintree High). Kenney walked right about ten feet and blasted a slap shot on net. Brow redirected the shot past the St Mike's goalie. Brow was holding off two St Mike's players and still got a stick on the puck. The game went back and forth, with St Mike's scoring two goals in the last 10 minutes, including a Power Play Goal to take a 3-1 lead.

The second half, the exhausted Wolverines battled and battled over and over. BA outshot St Mike's 18-16 in the second period. BA was forced to go to a trap due the tired legs. Even though they were forced to play passive at times, BA used their trap to counter attack off neutral zone turnovers. Kenney made a highlight reel hit along the boards when a St Mike's players tried to sneak past him. "We allowed St Mike's to attack the neutral zone and gave them two choices, dump the puck or get punished. I was real proud how well we played, our 4 defensemen were warriors along the boards and our forwards played both intelligent and aggressive all game" said Meserve. Neither St Mike's or BA could score in the second period and the game ended with a 3-1 loss. Little turned aside 38 shots in the loss, while BA pumped 37 shots on the St Mike's keeper.

The Wolverine B Team will take on the Maine Wave U-18 AAA at Bridgton Ice Arena Tuesday, November 9th, 700pm.

WOLVERINES BITE MARINERS 7-1

Saturday, the Wolverine B Team took on The Junior A Mass Mariners of the International Junior Hockey League. "The coaching staff has focused on three things all season: Systems, Moving Feet and Battling for every puck. Today, we finally put everything together. " said Head Coach Mike Meserve. This physical contest worked in the Wolverines favor. "Our conditioning was outstanding. Guys bought into the pre-season dryland and have continued pushing themselves" said Assistant Coach Chris Travis.

The first period saw BA keep the puck down low and battle for every puck. Once again, Mike Clancy(Hampton, NH/St Thomas High), Tim Marshall(Hull, MA/Archbishop Williams High) controlled the puck down low and consistently outworked opponents. Clancy and Marshall were joined by a healthy Chris Watkins(Spokane, WA/Coeur D'Alene Thunder AAA) in forming a very high energy shut down line. It should be noted this line has also scored 4 goals the last 3 games. The highlight of the first period was seeing defenseman Brendan Fitzpatrick(Winthrop, MA/Winthrop High) streak down the left side of the rink, into the Mariners zone, fake a slapl shot and bury a quick snap shot into the upper right hand corner. Not to be outdone, fellow defensemen John Delpadre(North Providence, RI/Smithfield High) gained the Mariners' zone and slid a hard low shot under the goalie's pad.

Just like the first period, the second and third period saw Bridgton putting pucks to the net all period and controlling the tempo. At the end of the 3rd period BA had a dominating 7-1 win. Jesse Little (Freedom, ME/Winslow High) was outstanding in net turning aside 28 shots.

The goals were contributed by 7 different scorers:

Brendan Fitzpatrick

John Delpadre

Brendan Moore

Steve Laliberte

Marco Spisso

Tim Marshall

Charlie Gendron

Jr. A Falls to Jr. Bruins

The hockey team lost a tough game to the Boston Jr. Bruins 4-2. Check back later for the full game recap.

Photos on Facebook

Check out this link to see some pictures from this weekends games on Bridgton Academy's Facebook page!

Hockey Goes 4-0 Over the Weekend

The Jr. B team kept their winning streak alive as they faced the New England Stars in a two day series. In the first game the Wolverines shutout the Stars 6-0. Tim Marshall (Hull, MA) and Todd Brow (Winslow, ME) led the scoring with two goals apiece. Brow also contributed three assists for the night totaling 5 points in the game. Shawn Kenney (Braintree, MA) added a goal and two assists while Marco Spisso (Highland Falls, NY) tallied BA’s final goal of the game. Erik Burke (Manchester, NH), Charlie Cobb (South Burlington, VT), John DelPadre (North Providence, RI), and Ryan Dooley (Topsfield, MA) all added assists. Little played a solid game in net stopping all 16 shots that came his way.

In the second game of the weekend the Jr. B team shutout the Stars for a second time in a 5-0 victory. Marshall led the scoring again with two goals. Brow and Cobb each added a goal as did defensemen Mike Peacock (Barnstable, MA). The assists for the night came from Charlie Gendron (Boxford, MA) and Tanner Chase (York, ME) who each had two, MacInnes, DelPadre, Spisso, Sullivan, and Dooley. Derek Spencer (Rochester, NH) saved all 23 shots that he faced.

While Coach Meserve is thrilled with the teams winning streak, he is keeping a level head going into next week’s contests. "We did a lot of things well this weekend, but we still have a lot to work to do. Our consistency is just not where it needs to be. When we move our feet, finish checks and play within the systems, we are a very tough team to play against,” said Meserve.

The Jr. A team also had a great weekend only letting in one goal in the two games. They started off as they faced the National Sports Academy for a third time. After splitting with them in the previous weekend, everyone was waiting to see who would win the tie-breaker. BA proved successful as they skated away with a 2-0 win. Dan Concannon (Everett, MA) and Ryan Kulik (Pembroke, MA) each tallied a goal with assists from Dan Cushing (Wilmington, MA), Peacock, and Spisso. Brad Cray (Raleigh, NC) played in net and made 25 saves for the night.

The Jr. A team also faced the New England Stars and won 7-1. Tyler Albano (Beverly, MA) led the scoring with two goals. Alex Bartlett (South Burlington, VT), Ryan Donovan (Bridgewater, MA), Ryan Menard (Ashland, MA), Cavicchi, Spisso, and Peacock each added a goal to the final tally. Cray played in net again and this time stopped 32 of the 33 shots he saw.

Coach Lounsbury was very happy with the weekend’s performance. “I thought this was the best weekend we have had defensively all year! Guys are working hard and getting better each day. I'm looking forward to the week ahead of us as we prepare for Stanstead College and the Boston Junior Bruins,” said Lounsbury.