GOAL PROGRAM SCORES ONE FOR SBES

Stevens Brook Elemetery School. The "GOAL" Program is a community service project which all Bridgton Academy Hockey players participate. It involves visits to different educational centers where players assist teachers in implementing reading, writing and math curriculum.
Coach Mike Meserve, joined BA players Shawn Wassel, Chris Howard, Pat Martin, Ian Edwards, Robby Campbell, Nate Potter, Evan Schwender, Jimmy Savage and Trey Rasmussen at Stevens Brook Elemetery. Players instructed and assisted students in Mrs. Lepage's 3rd grade class, Mrs. Jones' 2nd grade class and Mrs Clark's 1st grade class.
As a treat, each class received an autographed team sheet they can keep and add new signatures when the boys come back in for a visit.

WHERE HAS THE OFFENSE GONE? GLADES EDGE BA 2-0

The Wolverines traveled Wednesday to South Burlington to take on the Vermont Junior Glades(EJHL). The Wolverines had some definite issues in this game keeping up with the Glades. The Glades showed BA how moving your feet and driving to the net, creates scoring opportunities. BA was forced to chase the Glades around their zone and were outshot 16-4 in the first period. The very strong play of goalie Ian Edwards (Linden, MI/Motor City Chiefs) kept BA in the game. "Ian was spectacular through the first period. He turned aside shot after shot and we did very little to help him" said Assistant Coach Mike Meserve.
The second and third period was more of the same. Finally, with about 10 minutes gone in the third. The Glades broke through Edwards' armour for the first goal of the game. Edwards turned aside the first shot, the second and finally the Glades buried their third try. The Glades held a 1-0 lead until Bridgton Academy Alum, Ben Pearl (Essex, VT) snuck one in just under the crossbar and guarantee the Glades victory. Edwards finished with 42 saves in the loss.
BA will be looking to rebound 7pm Friday 10/30/09 at Bridgton Ice Arena, when they take on the National Sports Academy.

KODIAKS GET REVENGE 3-0

The Eastern Kodiaks came back to Bridgton looking to settle a score. In their first meeting, BA defeated the Kodiaks 4-0. The Kodiaks came our hard and put pucks to the net every opportunity they had. Robby Campbell (Braintree, MA) stopped 10 shots in the first period, before a rebound gave the Kodiaks a 1-0 lead going into the first intermission. The Wolverines skated well and pressed the play, but were unable to capitalize on any chances. "We put the puck to the net, but didn't drive after the puck like we did the first time we played" said Head Coach Jonathan Lounsbury.

The Second period was a classic back and forth defensive struggle. Neither team generating much offense and neither team willing to pay the price for going to the front of the net. Bridgton did manage to outshoot the Kodiaks 10-7 for the period.

In the final period, Bridgton came out flying. Taking the puck down low, moving it quickly out of the defensive zone. BA desperately tried to even the score up. However, the Kodiak's goalie answered the challenge. The Kodiaks finally put the game out of reach when they scored on two more odd man rushes. BA did outshoot them 25-23, but couldn't find away to drive one home.

WOLVERINES SWEEP WEEKEND!

BA played their final IJHL Showcase Game Sunday evening against the Maine Moose. This was the second game these played in as many weeks. BA squeaked out a 5-4 OT win in the first contest.
The Wolverines came out for the first period slow. They allowed the Moose room to skate and didn't finish many checks along the boards. However, the Wolverines played tight end zone defense, limited the Moose to just 6 shots. BA answered with 12 shots of their own, but were only able to crack the Moose goalie once. Evan Schwender (Saunderstown, RI) banged in a rebound for a power play goal. "Evan had two players hanging on his back attempting to move him. He stood his ground and outworked them for his first goal of the season" said Head Coach Jonathan Lounsbury.Even with all the offense pressure, BA was down 2-1 going into the first break. Bridgton recognize the need to come out with some extra effort.
The second half was a totally different story. BA put 17 shots on the Moose, while limiting them to 9. Defenseman Dave Stevens (Lynn, MA) scored the equalizer on a blast from the point which beat the Moose goalie on the short side. It was Stevens first goal of the season. With a fresh step and a determined effort, BA capitalized with two more power play goals. First, David Findley (Hamden, CT) scored his first goal of the season winning another battle around the net. Aaron Semiao (North Reading, MA) iced the win with his 3rd goal of the season. Semiao took a feed wheeled in from the off wing and sniped a shot into the upper right corner, just under the crossbar. "We started playing with confidence as the game progressed. When we play with composure, our skills take over and make us a very difficult team to defend" said Assistant Coach Mike Meserve.
Bridgton will be home Friday evening October 16 for a 7:30pm game against the Eastern Kodiaks. BA will then travel to Exeter, NH to play the Kodiaks Saturday 8:30pm. The Wolverines record currently stands at 5-0 with 38 games left to go.

KINGS FALL TO BA 3-0

The Wolverines continued their strong play Sunday morning versus the New Jersey Kings. Bridgton outshot the Kings 38-16 and came away with a 3-0 victory. Patrick Sen (Niles, IL), George Costa (Wintrhop, MA) and Sean Eubanks (Cape Elizabeth, ME) were the goal scorers for Bridgton. The BA forwards peppered the Kings goal over and over. BA hit three or four posts and had a Kyle O'Connell (Bridgewater, MA) blast from the point called back when the net was accidentally knocked off by the King's goalie. "Overall, I was impressed how our players skated with the puck and set up in the King's zone" noted Assistant Coach Mike Meserve.
However, it was the play of the Wolverine's Defense which stole the show. Ian Edwards (Linden, MI) posted his second shutout of the season, stopping all 16 shots he faced. The Wolverine Defense was a wrecking crew all game. The Kings were willing to drive the BA goal, but they paid a serious toll. Trey Rasmussen (West Tisbury, MA), Jake Donahue (Swampscott, MA) and Jimmy Savage (Middleton, MA) were willing and able to control the game in front of Edwards and in the corners. Donahue and Savage lead Bridgton with a plus two rating for the game.

BA DEFEATS STARS 5-3

The Wolverines opened the IJHL Showcase with a 5-3 victory over the New England Stars. BA continues to utilize their speed and strength by attacking the opposition from every angle. BA put pucks toward the net and had players drive toward the net looking for rebounds. Of BA's 23 shots, 18 of the were inside the hash marks. "At this level, we expect players to battle for loose pucks. We want players to compete in front of our goal and the opposition's net. These areas of the ice are where the game is won or lost" said Assistant Coach Mike Meserve.
Mike Iacobucci (Franklin, MA) scored his team leading 4th goal of the season, banging in a Pat Martin (Hanover, MA)shot. Sean Eubanks (Cape Elizabeth, ME) scored his first of two goals to give BA a 2-1 lead. The Stars answered back, but George Costa (Winthrop, MA) gave the Wolverines the lead going into the first admission.
The second half, saw a fast paced, tight checking game. The Star tied the score at three, but Eubanks gave the Wolverines a 4-3 lead, when he poked in a Patrick Thornton (Dublin, CA) rebound. Pat Sen (Niles, IL) scored on an empty net to ice the game for BA. Sen, Eubanks, Martin and Kyle O'Connell (Bridgewater, MA) all finished with two points.
Robby Campbell (Braintree, MA) started in net and picked up his second win of the season.

WOLVERINES AND EDWARDS SHUT OUT KODIAKS

The Wolverines second game in as many nights was definitely their best effort of the weekend. The Wolverines defeated the Eastern Kodiaks 4-0 thanks to goalie Ian Edwards (Linden, MI/Motor City Chiefs-CSHL)turning aside all 44 shots. The Wolverines definitely had their lapses, specifically in their own zone. "We have to limit the turnovers, epecially in our own end. At times, we broke out of our zone well, however there were to many times where we just didn't get it done" said Assistant Coach Mike Meserve.
Bridgton Academy scored once in the first, once in the second and twice in the third. Coach Meserve noted "Mike Iacobucci (Franklin, MA), Aaron Semiao (North Reading, MA) and Pat Martin (Hanover, MA) had themselves a real nice weekend. They moved the puck well, put shots to the net and played well in our zone." Iacobucci and Semiao assisted on Martin's first period goal, then added a shorthanded goal in the third. Other BA goal scorers were Sean Eubanks (Cape Elizabeth, ME) and Trey Rasmussen (West Tisbury, MA).
"Thanks to Edwards, we came away with a victory. He was the difference tonight and we appreciate the job he did" said Head Coach Jonathan Lounsbury. Bridgton will continue to build on this weekends success when they attend the IJHL Showcase in Exeter, NH.
Saturday 9:20 AM New England Stars
Sunday 10:20 AM New Jersey Kings
Sunday 5:20 PM Maine Moose

WOLVERINES DROP MOOSE 5-4 IN OT

The Bridgton Academy Wolverines welcomed the Maine Moose for the first game of the 2009-2010 season. With parents, faculty, students and alumni in attendance, the Wolverines came out hot. They put 19 shots on the Moose goalie, while allowing only 9 on starting goalie Nate Potter (Hartford, VT). Darren Casey-Covell (Orono, ME) started the scoring with the assists going to Kyle O'Connell (Bridgewater, MA) and George Costa (Winthrop, MA). With 15:08 gone in the first period, Patrick Martin (Hanover, MA) gave the Wolverines a 2-0 lead going into the break.
Period two started with the Moose flying all over the BA zone. BA outshot the Moose 18-13, but the Moose produced more quality scoring opportunities. Nate Potter was tested in close over and over. However, the Moose evened the score at by the end of the second period. "We didn't do a very good job in our own zone. We allowed the Moose to have free rein and drive to the net" said Head Coach Jonathan Lounsbury. Through two periods Potter stopped 21 of 23 shots.
Period three was a back a forth battle. Each team throwing all they had at each other. With 3 minutes remaining in the period and the Moose with a 3-2 lead, Mike Iacobucci(Franklin, MA) scored a tying goal. 26 seconds later the Moose scored to take the lead. All looked lost as BA pulled their goalie for an extra attacker. Iacobucci was feeling heroic as he scored the game typing goal with 59 seconds remaining.
Going into OT, BA once again pressed the attack and won it when Defenseman Chris Howard (Shelburne, VT) blasted a shot on goal. Aaron Semiao (North Reading, MA) tipped the shot over the Moose goalie's shoulder for the win. For the game, BA outshot the Moose 59-37. Robby Campbell(Braintree, MA) finished with 13 saves on 15 shots and picked up the win in net.

BA HOCKEY'S GOAL PROGRAM MAKES FIRST VISIT

On Friday September 2, Kyle O'Connell, George Costa, Patrick Thornton, Patrick Sen and Assistant Coach Mike Meserve participated in a Community Field Trip with two third grade classes from Stevens Brook Elementary School. The Wolverine Hockey Team's "GOAL" Program, is a community service project where Wolverine Hockey Players collaborate with both SBES faculty and students, as well as, other educational centers.

Friday's field trip was a tour around Bridgton, where students had to record what the place was, where it was located and the purpose of the place. The players assisted individual students with writing and comprehension of each place and make sure it was spelled correctly on their worksheet. "I thought the players did an outstanding job working with the students. The students were really excited when the boys showed up. They definitely became very comfortable engaging with the players as the trip went along" said Assistant Coach Mike Meserve.

Wolverine Hockey "GOAL" Program will continue to have monthly visits to 4 SBES classroom, plus will visit 2 local daycare/preschool facilities. They will work with individuals and groups on a wide range of subject matter. Each class the Wolverines visit receive autographs and photos from the players.