WOLVERINE B SQUEAK BY WAVE 4-2

The Wolverine B Hockey Team traveled to the Biddleford Ice Arena to take on the Maine Wave AAA U-18. Playing USA Hockey rules and two 22 minute periods, the Wolverines came out flying. "In practice all week, we worked with our forwards getting the puck down low and putting pucks to the net. I thought the first 5 minutes of the game, we did an outstanding job controlling the flow of the game" said Assistant Coach Chris Travis. Bridgton took a quick 1-0 lead, when Dean Cavicchi(Plymouth, MA/Coyle Cassidy High) redirected a Tanner Chase(York, ME/York High) shot. BA continue to pressure down low in the Wave Zone. After creating numerous turnovers, Cavvichi stole a pass and walked in for his 2nd goal of the game. Bridgton then struggled when they were up 2-0. "Our endzone defense was awful. We played a very selfish game. Guys looking for points and trying to be superstars. We have some outstanding systems and when guys work outside of our system, bad things happen" said Coach Mike Meserve. The Wave capitalized to make it a 2-1 game, when a Wave player sat in front and buried a one-timer with no BA player within reach.

Between halves, Coach Meserve and Coach Travis, expressed their displeasure on how the team seemed reluctant to utilize their systems. Whatever was said, seemed to work as BA came out and really worked the puck down low. "Guys like Tim Marshall(Hull, MA\Archbishop Williams High) and Mike Clancy(Hampton, NH/St. Thomas High) threw their bodies around today. They we so good down low. They had some quality hits, shots and were outstanding in time of possession" said Meserve. BA had their best goal of the year when Dan Macinnes(Plymouth, MA/Plymouth North High) continued to move his feet and wrist a shot low on the goalie. Erik Burke(Manchester, NH/Memorial High) drove the net and buried the rebound. Finally, on a set end zone face off play, Defenseman John Delpadre(North Providence, RI/Smithfield High), swung a pass to the streaking Charlie Gendron(Boxford, MA/Masco High) who drove pass the Wave defensemen on a breakaway. The defender took Charlie down before he could get a shot off and the official signal a penalty shot. Gendron made a nice move then slide a backhand through the goalies five hole. BA up 4-1 seemed to relax a little and allowed the Wave to chip into the lead making 4-2. Again, poor end zone defense and long shifts helped account for the goal. Jesse Little(Freedom, ME/Winslow High) picked up the win in goal, stopping 20 of the 22 shots he faced.

Overall, the coaching staff saw some good things and some bad things. Things no doubt will be addressed and worked on during practice this week.

BA looks to continue their mini winning streak when they take of the New England Stars Junior B Saturday and Sunday at the Bridgton Ice Arena.