WOLVERINES BEST ADVANTAGE IN GAME ONE

The Wolverines defeated Boston Advantage 2-1 Friday evening at Bridgton Ice Arena. This highly anticipated game was played with tons of passion by both sides. Both teams have a nice blend of speed and toughness and it was on full display Friday night. The secret to Bridgton early success was their ability to play solid end zone defense. "I thought we worked the puck out of our zone well. Our wingers dropped low for the first pass and the weakside wing was in the right position" said Head Coach Jamie Printz. Also, the Wolverines were particularly sucessful playing below the hash marks in the offensive zone. "We have some pretty big and strong forwards. the protect the puck well and really play aggressive along the boards", said Assistant Coach Mike Meserve

The first two periods showed a textbook defensive game. Both teams allowed very few second shot on their goalies. Bridgton was certainly aggressive in their end of the ice. "Guys like Chris Smith (Salem, MA), Pat Mahoney (Scituate, MA), Allen Fessette (Plattsburgh, NY) and Alex Young (Lynnfield, MA) certainly controlled the play in our zone. They were very efficient at finishing checks and making the Advantage forwards earned every inch of ice" quoted Assistant Coaching Jason Leveille. The Advantage goalie turned aside 23 shots, some at point blank range, through the first two periods. Bridgton goalie, Steven Sisler (Plano, TX/Alliance Bulldogs) equaled the Advantage keeper, turning aside 15 shots on goal.

The third period started just like the first two, hard nose play, quick transition outlets and drives to the net. Boston Advantage broke the scoreless tie and looked to steal a victory from the Wolverines. However, the Wolverines answered the bell by pressuring the Advantage over and over. Finally, The Wolverines converted a power play opportunity. Thomas Paine (Superior, WI/Duluth Marshall HS) slide the puck low to Eric Seigel (Wilimington, MA), who saucered a gorgeous pass to a driving Eric Clemmenson (Farmington, CT/Tabor Academy) who one timed the puck for their first Wolverine goal.

With the scored tied, the Wolverines kept up the pressure and took the lead with 8 minutes remaining in the game. Fred Hein (North Reading, MA) broke the tie from a beautiful feed from DJ Haskins (Quincy, MA/Archbishop Williams HS) and Rich Asselin (Westfield, MA). "Fred drove to the net and buried a feed from DJ. We have been preaching all week about attacking the net and Fred obviously did exactly what the coaching staff talked about", said Assistant Coach Mike Meserve. The Wolverines needed to hold off the Advantage for another 8 minutes. Sisler was brilliant, stopping shot after shot the Advantage threw his way. One of his final saves was a butterfly slide to the right post, stopping an Advantage one timer with his toe. When the final buzzer sounded the Wolverines prevailed with their well fought 2-1 win.