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.