Goffstown Hockey 2017-2018: Sign of the times
Updated on 06/10/2022
It was three weeks ago now, and in my mind, it went something a little bit like this. As the maestro held his baton high, coercing the grand finale in all of its glory, the final note played. Somewhere between stunned and proud, the maestro bowed his head and turned to face the masses and the feedback they levied on this collective piece of work. And those who witnessed it, they rose in unison to honor the performance and wished it never had to end.
“It’s a sign of the times
Welcome to the final show
Hope you’re wearing your best clothes…You look pretty good down here…”
Goffstown’s monumental comeback bid fell short against a deep and talented Dover team, and the Grizzlies record-breaking season came to an end. It didn’t end the way we would have liked it too, but then again, only one team gets to finish the season with a win.
Oh, and what a season it was. The Grizzlies set some records along the way, but it was really the group, the people, the players, the coaches, the families, throughout, and around the program, that made this season so special. I was fortunate enough to have a front row seat to a season of memorable moments. The effort ended up being a tremendous product on the ice all season. Many a person attending games for the first time this season was blown away by the skill level, exhibition of teamwork, and intensity of the competition. As they should have been. And for all of us regulars, it was an event, a destination, a ‘can’t-miss chance to see something special’. Total knee replacement surgery couldn’t keep me away (although it probably should have), I was present the next day, not because of me, but because of them. It still gets my blood pumping as I think back on the season.
We met the group back in December. A roster made up of seven freshmen, three sophomores, seven juniors, and five seniors. Who knew that this blend would be so amazing, so tenacious, and quite frankly, so capable?
I probably only looked at this sheet a few thousand times over the last four months.
Yes, the group, they set a Goffstown hockey record, going 10-0 at home in the regular season, and are currently on a streak of 12 straight regular-season wins at their home ice in the beautiful Sullivan Arena on the campus of St. Anselm College. Oh, and they are the first team to win 14 games in a single regular season as well. Coach Slocum became the first coach in Goffstown history to lead the Grizzlies to 10 or more wins three seasons in a row during league play. And while we are at it, Goffstown shattered the single-season scoring record of 95 goals (17 games) set by the 2001-02 team that made it to the State Semi-Finals, by scoring 107 goals in the 18-game regular season. Incredible stuff. It will be a long time before I forget this team if I ever do.
I can honestly say that I couldn’t wait to get home from games and update the sheets that I track for this team. Names, stats, numbers, trends, records, memories, history, all recorded, our kids. Our kids. For the kids.
For me, each season the production from this little Chromebook that was a gift from my wife, so I could really pursue writing, has been bigger, more involved, and hopefully better. I can truthfully tell you that each game consumes an average of 8-10 hours per write up for me. It might even be more hours, if you include the game itself, coordinating the pictures with the unrelenting perfectionist, Karen Charron, the words, the numbers, the recaps to the media, updating of websites, watching the game video (to check myself), sending emails, etc. But, when you think about it, aren’t our kids worth it? I mean, how good is a story really, if nobody is there to tell it, capture it, or perpetuate it so that others may also share in the glow of our kids playing team sports and having the times of their lives. Some folks live far away and can’t get to the games, so we bring it to them the best way I know how. It’s all about the kids, and this season was a special blend of personalities, skills, and humor, for sure.
I have written about being part of a team many times, over many years, and I would still find it difficult to say that there are many better ways to learn about life, to learn about the depths of yourself, than to play for something bigger than yourself, on a team, in pursuit of a common goal. And the memories of the experience, quite frankly, can be everlasting.
So, back in December when we really had no idea what to expect, the schedule started whether anyone was ready for it or not. The Grizzlies lined up and beat Portsmouth-Newmarket (3-1), then Lebanon-Stevens (6-4), both at home. Goffstown lost at Oyster River, 4-2, but came back home and squeaked out a 2-1 win against Timberlane. The Grizzlies were 3-1 going into Christmas. The Grizzlies played well in the Christmas Tournament, and battled two of the best teams in Division I in Concord and Hanover (State Champs), before beating Bow.
After Christmas, Goffstown found their stride, and things got a little crazy. But, even before Christmas, and after the Oyster River loss, the Grizzlies started on a ridiculous run in the regular season. Goffstown won 12 of 13 games with win streaks of seven and then five games, respectively. During the 13 game stretch, the Grizzlies offense piled up 92 goals, while going 12-1. I can tell you with certainty that nothing quite like this offensive explosion for so long, had been seen in the history of Goffstown hockey.
Numbers on a sheet? That was our kids out there making this kind of thing happen! All of them. It takes all of them.
Maybe the 2001-2002 team scoring 53 goals over a 6-game win streak comes close, and somehow they even had a pair of one-goal games in that stretch. Or the 2013-2014 team, that holds the Goffstown hockey record with 9 consecutive wins, which was bracketed by a pair of two-game skids, scored 40 goals in their streak. I mean this season we were watching history unfold every night.
Goffstown got five hat tricks from four different players over the course of the season. Griffin Cook, 3 goals, and 3 assists, at Nashua North-Souhegan on January 6th. Sebastian Beal, 3 goals, and 1 assist, at home against Dover on January 13th. Brett Branscum, 3 goals, and 1 assist, at home against Bow on January 31st. Griffin Cook, 3 goals, and 2 assists, at home against Belmont-Gilford on February 13th. Grady Chretien, 3 goals, and 1 assist, at home against Alvirne on February 15th.
Four years ago when our seniors were freshmen, the team had one player score 10+ goals (Ian Gately with 21), and two players had 10+ assists (Connor Easton 16, and Ian Gately 13). Only six players even scored 10+ points (Ian Gately 34, Connor Easton 21, Nick Nault and Sam Greenwood 14 each, Mason Mable 13 (in 9 games), and Noah Charron 11). Fast forward to this season, with 3 and 4 lines playing in many games, and the production was off the charts. An astounding ELEVEN players on this team had 16 or more points this season! Incredible! It takes everyone on the roster playing their part and filling their respective role to even approach this type of success. What a credit to each individual on the roster. Really, this kind of thing just doesn’t happen very often.
Goals:
Noah Charron | 23 |
Sebastian Beal | 18 |
Griffin Cook | 15 |
Max Lajeunesse | 13 |
Grady Chretien | 12 |
Michael Fortin | 10 |
Assists:
Griffin Cook | 24 |
Sebastian Beal / Brett Lassonde | 21 |
Noah Charron | 20 |
Colin Burke | 19 |
Max Lajeunesse | 14 |
Brett Branscum / Theo Milianes | 13 |
Points:
Noah Charron | 43 |
Sebastian Beal / Griffin Cook | 39 |
Max Lajeunesse | 27 |
Brett Lassonde | 23 |
Brett Branscum / Colin Burke | 21 |
Grady Chretien | 19 |
Colby Gamache | 18 |
Michael Fortin / Theo Milianes | 16 |
And just to break it down by class, the Grizzlies have quite a bit of skill coming back next season too.
G | A | P | PIM | |
Fr | 16 | 16 | 32 | 14 |
So | 12 | 22 | 34 | 20 |
Jr | 37 | 91 | 128 | 69 |
Sr | 54 | 53 | 107 | 44 |
Total | 119 | 182 | 301 | 147 |
Folks, I get caught up in the numbers and I love that sports are measured. Because measurement is really the only way to gauge progress, improvement, or even success in a given area. But I cannot stress enough how special this season was. Not solely because of numbers or wins and losses, but rather the kids. The people. The group. To hear coaches talk, throughout the entire season, about how much fun they had coming to the rink every day to be around this group of kids is maybe the best indicator of them all. I can speak for my wife and me when I say that we had an absolute blast this season spending time and interacting with the coaches, players, and the parents of the players (new and old). There certainly seemed to be a laid-back sense to this group, but not when it came to competing on the ice. These young men and women were a tenacious group, they were fearless, they were better together than individually, and a pure joy to watch.
Listen, I heard a lot of people from within the program, close to the program, and around the state of NH in Division I and Division II hockey circles talk about our goaltending this year, both positive and negative. I want to make a huge, positive, statement about our goaltending right now. Madeline Sage, Kyle LaSella, and Ethan Smith all would be models of inspiration, sportsmanship, passion for improvement, and the team concept for any player on any other team to learn from. They battled. They cared. They worked hard. They lived and died with the ups and downs of the entire team. They only backstopped the winningest team in a single season, in Goffstown Hockey history. The 2001-2002 team that scored 95 goals in 17 regular season games also allowed 66 goals during the season. This year’s team and their goaltenders allowed just 64 goals in 18 games. They left numerous opponents shaking their heads and looking at the ceiling after a sure goal, wasn’t a goal at all. Considering this team was one of the least physical, and certainly least penalized teams in the history of Grizzlies hockey, I think our trio of goaltenders were sensational much more often than not. This year’s team increased their goal scoring by 42% over last year. They reduced their penalty minutes by 40%. Yet, only allowed 11 more goals than last year during the regular season. Yes, our goaltenders faced a lot of clean looks from opponents this season, and they stood tall, faced the adversity inherent in competition, and combined to win 14 regular season games. Props to them and their collective work ethic. Ethan Smith won a Sportsmanship Award from the NHIAA this season, and his positive outlook and ever-present smile will be missed next season.
The Grizzlies went 14-4 in the regular season, earning a #4 seed in the tournament for the second year in a row. Goffstown led all of Division II in scoring, with Windham, Keene, and St. Thomas close behind. I believe we had the best, most consistent, all-around line in Division II with the CBC line of Charron-Beal-Cook piling up 56 goals and 65 assists and a combined +/- of +79. Then to have a second line like the MGM line of Max-Gamache-Michael that most teams would want as their first line, adding 32 goals and 29 assists, it was obvious that the Grizzlies were very deep. The Branch line was not too shabby either with Theo-Branscum-Chretien holding their own with 23 goals and 33 assists. These totals include all of the teams’ 22 games played this season. Noah Charron was named to the D-II All-State 2nd Team. Sebastian Beal was named to the D-II All-State Honorable Mention team. Noah was also voted to play in the 26th Men’s All-Star Hockey Classic to benefit Make-A-Wish® Vermont and Make-A-Wish® New Hampshire which will be held at UVM’s Gutterson Field House on Saturday, June 30, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. Griffin Cook won a Coaches Award from the Grizzlies coaching staff.
Our defensive core made numerous passes to set up breakouts, odd-man rushes, and breakaways. More times than I can remember, the Grizzlies defense turned an opponents scoring bid into a goal for Goffstown with a quick pass, or even a series of passes. The Grizzlies were explosive, and everyone on this roster contributed to that. All the defensive players are back next year. Colin Burke, Brett Lassonde, Jacob Noonan, Melanie Riendeau, Eric DesRuisseaux, and Evan McCuaig, combined for 7 goals and 52 assists. Stephen Provencher, Luke Chase, Sean Hunter, and Calvin Sage are all back next year and look to add to their skills, as well as their individual contributions to the overall team dynamic. Colin Burke also won a Coaches Award from the Grizzlies coaching staff and led all Goffstown skaters in ice time this season.
One definition of the word, “finality”, reads like this: the fact or impression of being an irreversible ending. And that fact, that feeling, that reality, has always been one I struggle with. Especially as it relates to team sports, and special teams like this year’s Goffstown Grizzlies hockey team.
The Class of 2018, Goffstown Grizzlies Hockey style. (Photo by Charron)
Like I said before, this year was like watching the stuff that gets written in history books, every single night! Records were set, the standard has been raised, and it has been set pretty high. Another stat for you all, this year’s seniors, the class of 2018 will graduate from Goffstown High School, and the hockey program, having won more league games than any class in the history of our program.
This group won 46 games, at a 59.74% clip, both records. They earned a #9 seed, a #7 seed, and a pair of #4 seeds in the tournament. I voted that Noah Charron should be named Most Outstanding Player in Division-II this season. I call him the best two-way center on the most prolific line in Division-II. As it turns out, I don’t belong to any groups that recognize my vote, so it doesn’t actually mean anything, it is just something I do every year. Although I still believe it to be true. Noah Charron (only member of the 100-point club in Goffstown history), Max Lajeunesse (one of the best forwards the Grizzlies have ever had, just ask Windham), Brett Branscum (love his effort, hustle, and the goal at Spaulding), Michael Fortin (glad he came back this season and loved his energy), and Ethan Smith (love his attitude and wish him a sensational baseball season this spring) will most certainly be missed.
This group also did something a little different this season as they went about their commitment to community service and volunteering. Over the last several seasons the Friends of Goffstown Hockey has asked each senior class to participate in a “charity of choice” event, as a legacy project. The concept was designed, in part, as a vehicle by which the team could give back to our community. A community that has been so supportive of the Goffstown Ice Hockey Program.
One definition of a Legacy Project reads simply like this. The concept of legacy is a powerful life tool for all ages and a catalyst for social change. Legacy is about life and living. It’s about learning from the past, living in the present, and building for the future.
So, this season, instead of raising money through an event largely run by parents, the Seniors decided to take a more ‘hands-on’ approach and work with a local group that serves breakfast to Manchester’s homeless. The group, Do You Know Him? Ministries, serves more than 225 hot breakfast meals every Saturday and Sunday. All the players from our Goffstown High School hockey team served breakfast Sunday, February 11th at the Salvation Army starting at 5am. The hockey team also folded and bagged more than 450 pairs of socks that were donated by a volunteer network known as the Telephone Pioneers. The socks were handed out on Sunday as well. The team also decided to donate money taken in over two home games and cut a check to the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Tremendous effort and example in getting their hands dirty and being involved.
Huge thanks to Karen Charron for creating the slideshow again this season. Even more thanks for sharing it with me and trusting me with her efforts.
Then, no matter how I slice it, it was over. The memories will live on, especially if I have anything to say about it. I love that for as many years as I can remember Goffstown Hockey isn’t if ever, mentioned in pre-season rankings. Yet, they have qualified for the post-season 11 straight seasons. I love that our kids battle, play hard, and succeed way more than they fail, regardless of who thought they could or couldn’t. I love that they are good kids. So many, many people noticed this season’s camaraderie and teamwork amongst the group. It was contagious, and the seats began to fill up over at Sullivan Arena, which everyone but our opponents loved. I hope that continues into next season and for many seasons to come. Folks, Goffstown has a really good hockey program, starting from the coaching staff right through to the manager. I don’t care what anyone outside our community says. This program is solid. The game presentation is second to none, in any division. Perhaps one day soon, the Grizzlies will lift a championship Trophy in hockey over their heads, and skate a victory lap around the ice sheet, but even if they don’t, they are winning more battles on and off the ice than they are losing, by a long shot. And that is Goffstown Grizzlies hockey, a sign of the times.
“…Just stop your crying
Have the time of your life…
…And things are pretty good from here
Remember everything will be alright
We can meet again somewhere
Somewhere far away from here…”
~ Sign of the times
Released: 2017
Songwriter(s): Harry Styles; Jeff Bhasker; Mitch Rowland; Ryan Nasci; Alex Salibian; Tyler Johnson
Label: Erskine; Columbia;

Tournament: Grizzlies nearly pull epic comeback, drop 8-4 decision to Dover
Updated on 06/10/2022 | 1inawesomewonder
Goffstown dug themselves a huge hole, falling behind 5-0 in the second period, while Dover was dictating play by simply executing better than the Grizzlies. Goffstown reached down, found some collective fire within, and came storming back. With less than 10 minutes to play in the game, the game had turned into an intense, nail-biting, one-goal, tournament game with the Grizzlies trailing Dover, 5-4.
As games often times go, the bounce of the puck, or the breaks of the game, didn’t go Goffstown’s way. Dover, overall, was the better team on Saturday night. The Green Wave’s 6th goal of the night, in the late stages of the third period, which turned out to be somewhat of a back-breaker for the Grizzlies. Dover may well have gone on to win the game in the same fashion that they did ultimately anyways. The Green Wave circled the wagons as needed, blocked shots, cleared rebounds, and took advantage of Goffstown miscues en route to punching their ticket to the Semi-Finals out in Exeter to play the #1 Keene BlackBirds on Wednesday night.

Michael Fortin scored a pair of goals in Goffstown’s playoff game against Dover. The CBC and Branch Lines look on from the bench.(Photo by Charron)
For most of the season, Goffstown’s offense was difficult, if not impossible, to contain. The Grizzlies racked up ridiculous amounts of offensive zone time possession as well as shots. That was not the case on Saturday night against Dover. Goffstown only managed 4 shots on goal in the opening period and Dover kept the Grizzlies from getting set up in the zone almost completely.

Kyle LaSella made some great saves for Goffstown in their loss to Dover. (Photo by L. McCuaig)
On the other hand, the Green Wave were getting chances, primarily off of Goffstown turnovers. It seemed that Dover was getting the puck up ice, and out wide, during the opening period to beat Goffstown defensemen who were up ice and get open lanes to the net. At 6:02 Aiden McDonough made a nice, long pass from wing to wing, to Wyatt Allaire, and caught Goffstown’s defense up way too high.
Allaire stormed the net and got a great shot off before Colin Burke could get to him. Kyle LaSella made a beautiful right pad save on Allaire’s effort. Early on, Nick Marchuk picked the puck off the Grizzlies just outside the blue line and danced between Max Lajeunesse and Colin Burke to get a point-blank shot away. LaSella again was up to the task and made a nice shoulder save to keep the game scoreless. Moments later Aiden McDonough took a bouncing puck from Brett Lassonde just below the half wall and walked in unchecked to score Dover’s first goal on a nice backhand shot. As it seemed to happen at points in the season, the Grizzlies would compound one goal allowed into two, or more, goals allowed in a short amount of time.

Brett Branscum carries the puck up ice against Dover. (Photo by Charron)
It was just 18 seconds later when Dover’s Jared Turgeon, one of the better forechecker’s that I have seen all season, read the Goffstown play perfectly and cleanly intercepted Colin Burke’s first pass directed toward Sebastian Beal. Turgeon fired immediately and beat LaSella to the glove side at 10:43 to give Dover a 2-0 lead. At 13:22 of the period LaSella made another great save with his right pad after Jameson Goodridge had stepped past a defenseman and avoided Theo Milianes before getting a good shot in tight. With less than half a minute to play in the first period, Michael Fortin threw a puck up the boards, but the clearing attempt didn’t get out of the zone.
Nick Marchuk kept the puck in the zone, stepped to the middle and somehow avoided stick checks from Sebastian Beal and Griffin Cook to get a low shot away.

Sebastian Beal looks to make a pass against Dover in the Quarter-Finals. (Photo by Charron)
The shot was released before Brett Lassonde could block it, and Kyle LaSella wasn’t able to secure the puck with his glove. Later, Aiden McDonough ran carelessly and unimpeded right over LaSella with 2 seconds left in the period and was whistled for a penalty, while Griffin Cook was called for cross-checking in defense of LaSella. Dover led 3-0 after one period and held an 11-4 advantage in shots on goal.
Right at the beginning of the second period Noah Charron dumped a puck at Devin Lapierre in net for the Green Wave. Lapierre covered the puck and Sebastian Beal sprayed snow on the goaltender unnecessarily, but no penalty was called. Alex Schlapak gave Beal a shove for good measure, but this was the kind of thing that was allowed to escalate over the course of the game. Goffstown had an early chance when Michael Fortin made a nice steal of the puck from Schlapak. Fortin hit Max Lajeunesse, wide open in the slot, with a great pass, but Lajeunesse was stopped by a beautiful save from Lapierre, who somehow closed the five-hole while sliding left to right.

Noah Charron capped off his brilliant career with a goal and two assists. (Photo by Charron)
At 2:30 of the second period, Dover added to their lead, making it 4-0, when the Green Wave caught Goffstown standing around in the defensive end. Jameson Goodridge fed a pass to Garrett Swan at the left point.
Swan sent a shot to the net and LaSella left a rebound, and even though Brett Lassonde was first on the rebound, the Grizzlies could not clear the puck. Wyatt Allaire pounced on the puck and rifled a shot up under the bar where grandma hides her change purse for the grandkids. At 4:26 of the period Dover won an offensive zone faceoff and Goodridge worked the puck to Alex Schlapak who set up Jake LeClerc for a shot out front that found it’s way through and got behind Kyle LaSella. Goffstown pulled LaSella and inserted freshman Madeline Sage in net. Goffstown was looking for something to start clicking, and trailed 5-0 just over half a game yet to play.

Grady Chretien had the best scoring season by a freshman in recent memory. (Photo by Charron)
30 seconds after falling behind 5-0, Goffstown finally broke through and put a tally on the board. Asa Forbes centered a pass that was broken up and ended up on the stick of Sebastian Beal. Beal looked up and made a beautiful pass to Griffin Cook flying up the left wing. Cook gained the zone circled the net, and ended up getting the puck back to Beal. After Charron completed a picturesque pirouette or two, Beal hit him with a perfect timed pass in the slot, and Charron bagged his 60th career goal just past Lapierre in net. Suddenly there was a surge of energy, and maybe just a glimmer of hope. At 8:44 Charron playing as a good two-way center does, he separated the puck from Jared Turgeon and Brett Lassonde grabbed it. Lassonde laid a splendid pass ahead to Michael Fortin who broke in all alone and buried a beautiful breakaway goal behind Devin Lapierre to cut the lead to 5-2. Somewhere just about 12:07 into the period Dover’s Jared Turgeon won a puck battle with Theo Milianes and went behind the net before centering a pass aimed at one of two Dover players who were open.

Maddie Sage came in and played the final 25 minutes for the Grizzlies. (Photo by L. McCuaig)
Madeline Sage in net, made a subtle but brilliant play when she got a piece of the pass with her goal stick and the puck deflected not only through the legs of Brett Lassonde, but past Jake LeClerc and Jameson Goodridge who had crashed the slot looking for a chance to score. The puck came all the way out high to Max Lajeunesse who turned up ice in an instant. Lajeunesse and Michael Fortin sped up ice on a two-on-one against Alex Schlapak. Schlapak directed traffic and pointed for LeClerc to pick up Fortin who was looking for the pass from Lajeunesse. Schlapak closed on Lajeunesse who slid a pass across to Fortin. Amazingly, LeClerc had hustled back and actually got his stick on the pass. Fortin though, got under LeClerc’s stick just enough to redirect the puck inside the far post as the pair were flying directly toward the net. Fortin scored it at 12:11, from Lajeunesse and Sage, and Goffstown had cut the lead to 5-3. The home crowd went crazy. After two periods Goffstown trailed 5-3, and had managed to get 12 shots on goal in the period.

Brett Lassonde had a goal and an assist in playoff action against Dover. (Photo by Charron)
With the score at 5-3, Goffstown came out and created chances in the third period as well. Perhaps no chance was bigger than when Jake Noonan and Max Lajeunesse had back-to-back shots into a sea of green defenders before the puck bounced to Colby Gamache. Colby had an open net and a goalie out by the other faceoff circle. Gamache shot at the net from a couple feet away. A trio of Dover players, David Beauregard, Nick Marchuk, and Josh Ball all dove or swiped their sticks towards the Gamache shot. Somehow, I think it was Marchuk, got his stick on the puck and miraculously kept the puck out of the net. A minute or so later, Max Lajeunesse stole the puck from Jake LeClerc behind the net, and fed a beautiful pass to Noah Charron in the slot. Charron let a shot go but Marchuk again saved the day when he hit the deck and slid in front of Charron’s shot, blocking it clean. At 5:34 of the third period, Goffstown cut the lead to 5-4. First, Sebastian Beal centered a pass to the middle, but it was on Noah Charron’s backhand side and he couldn’t get a shot off.

Griffin Cook had two assists in the loss to Dover. (Photo by Charron)
So, Charron and Griffin Cook made a pass or two to each other before Charron worked the puck back to Brett Lassonde at the right point. While Alex Schlapak was tying up Cook in front the net, Lassonde used the screen and beat Devin Lapierre in net, for the Grizzlies goal. A little later in the period Jameson Goodridge picked the pocket of Brett Lassonde as he tried circling his own net, but Maddie Sage was locked in and snagged the shot in close, to keep the game a one-goal game. The Grizzlies on the ice all came by to let Sage know they were grateful for her save. On the ensuing faceoff Dover won the puck clean to Aiden McDonough who fired a shot but Sage was ready for it. On the same shift, Wyatt Allaire went around Jake Noonan, out wide, and created a quick two-on-one with Nick Marchuk. Allaire centered the pass as Sebastian Beal was back-checking Marchuk. The pass was on the money and Beal was half a stride behind, but Maddie’s stick work again broke up the pass play and deflected to the corner. McDonough grabbed the puck, spun and fired a tough angle shot, but it was on the money. Sage was ready again, and picked the puck clean with her glove hand as the Grizzlies faithful was getting louder by the minute.

Kyle LaSella doing his best to backstop the Grizzlies. (Photo by Charron)
Then it was Axel Post who ripped a shot from the right point and Sage couldn’t control the rebound off of her pads. Brett Lassonde smartly grabbed the puck skated it out of harms way. Then, the goal was scored at 12:32 when Alex Schlapak through a pass to nobody at center ice but it bounced off the wall at the red line and right onto the stick of Wyatt Allaire. Allaire gathered the puck and gained the blue line, after Aiden McDonough had already entered the zone. Allaire let his shot go just outside the circles but the shot beat Madeline Sage in net and Dover led 6-4 with 2:28 to play. 58 seconds later Jameson Goodridge fed the puck to Jared Turgeon who poked the puck through Sage. Goffstown called timeout and pulled Sage from the net in favor of the extra attacker. After Dover iced the puck, Noah Charron won the offensive zone faceoff but there was no Grizzlie set up on the left wing side of the circle. Alex Schlapak flipped the puck up and out of the zone before Colin Burke could do anything about as he was the closest thing to a left wing on the play. Garrett Swan was already flying up ice and Schlapak’s clear hit him at full speed. Swan buried the empty netter and gave Dover the 8-4 lead at 13:41.

Grizzlies offense erupts for 6 goals in win over defending champs!
Updated on 06/10/2022 | Steve Beal Sr
From J.F.K. Coliseum in Manchester, NH:
Goffstown played their third and final game of the Christmas Hockey Classic Tournament in Manchester on Thursday night against the defending Division II State Champion Bow Falcons. The Falcons are not what they were last year, but neither are a lot of teams. Goffstown pounded the puck at the net out shooting Bow 48-18 en route to their 6-2 victory.
The Grizzlies got things going in a hurry when Colby Gamache scored his first goal of the season just 1:27 into the game. Brett Lassonde made a nice play and was credited with the assist on the goal. Goffstown generated shot after shot and one chance after another which would end up being a trend for the entire game. From a Goffstown perspective, it was nice to see the Grizzlies swarm the offensive end of the ice shift after shift. There is still work to be done on conversion rates, but there is promise. At 4:34 of the opening period Grady Chretien scored for Goffstown after being set up by Brett Branscum and Theo Milanes. Goffstown also had the benefit of receiving the first two power play chances of the game but could not score. To make matters worse for their power play, they actually allowed a shorthanded goal when Ryan Tobeler made a brilliant move to get a perfect shot past Madeline Sage in net for Goffstown at 9:02 of the period. Goffstown did score one power play goal when Noah Charron ripped a shot into the back of the net, but the goal was waved off when the official called Goffstown for being in the crease. The Grizzlies led 2-1 after one period, and outshot Bow, 14-5.
The Grizzlies gather before taking on the Bow Falcons. (Photo by Charron)
In the second period Goffstown came out flying as if to prove that the first period was no fluke. Sebastian Beal scored on his third shot of a quick flurry in front of the net at 0:26 of the period. Noah Charron and Colin Burke assisted on the goal. Just to make sure that Goffstown didn't run away with the game, Bow scored the next goal of the game at 5:18 of the period. Jake Mielcarz buried a shot from the slot just after Goffstown's defense had parted like the Red Sea exposing plenty of space to get a great shot away directly in front of Maddie Sage in goal. Dillon D'Allesandro got the assist on Bow's second goal. For the next several minutes the game was still just a 3-2 game even though the margin seemed much larger based on the offensive pressure the Grizzlies continued to mount. Then at 13:31 Noah Charron scored on a nice play set up by Colin Burke to give Goffstown a 4-2 lead. Half way through the period, the Falcons made a change in goal when Jason Howe (21 of 24 saves) was pulled and Nate Carrier (also 21 of 24) came in to finish up. Carrier wasn't in the game very long before he was asked to make saves at a semiautomatic rate.
Brett Branscum gave Goffstown a 3 goal lead when he just flat-out hustled defenders while he was killing a penalty and found himself with the puck beside the net. Branscum, with the help of a Bow player who tried poke checking the puck from him, flipped the puck up and over Carrier in net for the shorthanded unassisted goal. At 5:47 of the final period the MGM line capped the scoring when Max Lajeunesse scored on a nice rush up ice set up by successive passes from Michael Fortin and Colby Gamache. Maddie Sage (12 of 14) would come out of the game with 4:48 to play, and Ethan Smith finished the night for Goffstown making 4 saves on 4 shots. Goffstown finished the Christmas Hockey Classic winning one game, and losing two. Bow ended up going 0-3.
In earlier action, Bedford blanked Manchester Memorial, 7-0. By virtue of their win, Bedford advances to the tournament title game tomorrow night at 6pm. Trinity hung on to beat Manchester Central/West 8-6. In the 6pm game Hanover looked very good, and capitalized on power play chances, on their to beating Concord 4-2. Hanover will play Bedford in the final for the second year in a row tomorrow night.
Goffstown next plays on January 3rd out at Rochester Arena against Spaulding High School.
Goffstown 6, Bow 2: Grady Chretien, Colby Gamache, Sebastian Beal, Noah Charron, Brett Branscum and Max Lajeunesse each scored for the Grizzlies in the win.
Ryan Tobeler and Jake Mielcarz scored for Bow, which also got 21 saves apiece from Jason Howe and Nate Carrier, who split time in goal.
Madeline Sage (12 saves) and Ethan Smith (four saves) split goaltending duties for the Grizzlies.
Christmas Classic:
Updated records.
Bow (1-5) @ Goffstown (4-3)
JFK Coliseum, Manchester, NH
December 28, 2017. 8:00PM Start:
Summary:
Goals:
Bow: 1-1-0 = 2
Goffstown: 2-2-2 = 6
Shots:
Bow: 5-5-8 = 18
Goffstown: 14-18-16 = 48
Scoring:
1st Goffstown at 1:27. Even. Colby Gamache (1) from Brett Lassonde (3).
1st Goffstown at 4:34. Even. Grady Chretien (4) from Brett Branscum (3) and Theo Milanes (1).
1st Bow at 9:02. SH. Ryan Tobeler unassisted.
2nd Goffstown at 0:26. Even. Sebastian Beal (4) from Noah Charron (3) and Colin Burke (6).
2nd Bow at 5:18. Even. Jake Mielcarz from Dillon D'Allesandro.
2nd Goffstown at 13:31. Even. Noah Charron (6) from Colin Burke (7).
3rd Goffstown at 1:50. SH. Brett Branscum (2) unassisted.
3rd Goffstown at 5:47. Even. Max Lajeunesse (4) from Colby Gamache (3) and Michael Fortin (1).
Special Teams:
Bow Power Play: 0 for 4.
Goffstown Power Play: 0 for 3.
Saves:
Bow: Jason Howe 21 of 24.
Bow: Nate Carrier 21 of 24.
Goffstown: Madeline Sage 12 of 14.
Goffstown: Ethan Smith 4 of 4.
Goffstown drops a hard fought battle to Hanover at the Christmas Hockey Classic
Updated on 06/10/2022 | Steve Beal Sr
From J.F.K. Coliseum in Manchester, NH:
Undefeated Hanover remained unbeaten with a 5-1 win over Goffstown this afternoon in the Christmas Hockey Classic game at 2:00 pm. Hanover scored each of their five goals with 3:16 or less to play in that period. These goals made matters seem worse, especially for a Grizzlies team that generated a lot of great chances, but could not cash in, only to give up goals late in periods. The Hanover High Marauders are a very well coached team, and just about everything they do, is done with purpose and within a structure that they are all well versed in.
Goffstown gets ready to play Hanover at the Christmas Hockey Classic. (Photo by L. McCuaig)
The first 12+ minutes of this game were equally owned by the Grizzlies as much as they were by the Marauders from Hanover. Then with the Grizzlies really struggling to clear the zone, or the space in front of the net, Hanover scored first. Charlie Plottner finished the play with a goal from David Lehmann. It was just a moment later when Goffstown's Colby Gamache tried to force a pass from his defensive blue line ahead to Max Lajeunesse, but the pass lacked some pace, and Plottner stole the pass. Before you could count to ten, Plottner stepped forward with the puck and hit Braxton McNulty with a pass as he crossed the blue line. McNulty had a lot of room to work with, and he did not miss, giving Hanover a 2-0 lead. The newly formed MGM line (Max-Gamache-Michael) was borderline dominating prior to the this quick turn of events. They cycled the puck very well and created gaps to maneuver in, all over the offensive end on just about every shift. Just misses, saves, blocked shots, and not getting to rebounds, ended up posting a big 0 on the scoreboard though. After one period, Hanover led 2-0, and other than the score, they may not have been happy with their first period performance.
Oddly, the second period didn't really resemble the opening period, but the result was eerily similar. For example, one difference was that Hanover cranked up their defense of their own end, which in turn, created much better breakouts from their own zone. Ultimately it led to lots more shots on goal, but Madeline Sage was outstanding in Goffstown's net, turning one shot after another away. Then again, with less than 2:30 to play in the second period, in a 2-0 game, Goffstown fell asleep and didn't show any sense of urgency to defend their net as if they were waiting for Maddie to save anything sent her way. Well, the onslaught caught up to the Grizzlies when David Lehmann scored a goal from Sylas Oberting and Owen Stadheim, just 24 seconds before Charlie Plottner cashed in again from Braxton McNulty. Two periods, both looking like they might end scoreless, were somehow and actual 4-0 lead for Hanover. Good teams find ways to make opponents pay immediately for their turnovers, mistakes, and lulls. Hanover held Goffstown to just 4 shots on goal in the second period even though the MGM line was effective once again.
With Goffstown trailing 4-0 to start the third period, they could have mailed in the rest of this game and maybe no one would have known any different, but they didn't. After maintaining puck possession in the offensive end, the line of Theo Milanes centering Grady Chretien and Brett Branscum, and the defensive pairing of Jacob Noonan and Brett Lassonde made a beautiful passing play to get Goffstown on the board. Though several Grizzlies touched the puck in succession, it was a gorgeous pass from Branscum diagonally back to the right point and Brett Lassonde that led to the shot. Lassonde let a low shot go towards the net when Chretien, in traffic, deflected the puck perfectly up under the cross-bar, beating Harris LaRock for the only time all day. It was a great hockey play ending with a goal for Grady and the Bretts. Unfortunately, late in the period again, Chretien made a clearing attempt that was just too soft, and a combination of Marauders made the Grizzlies pay instantly with Sylas Oberting scoring from Elias Zinman and David Lehmann. Ethan Smith came in to play the last 3:16 in net for Goffstown and made the save on the one shot he faced. In the meantime, the MGM line turned out more quality shifts and almost scored when Michael Fortin ripped a shot that clanked off of the post and sailed wide.
Hanover won the game 5-1 but somehow both teams had some things to be happy about over the course of the game.
Goffstown returns to the J.F.K ice tomorrow evening at 8pm against Bow (1-4) who lost to Hanover 6-2 on Tuesday, and lost to Concord tonight, 7-3. Concord and Hanover are both 2-0, but that will change when they play each other on Thursday at 6pm. In other Christmas Hockey Classic games today, Trinity beat Manchester Memorial 4-2, after losing 5-4 in OT to Bedford on Tuesday night. In the 4pm game, Bedford doubled up Manchester Central/West, 10-5.
Christmas Classic:
Updated records.
Hanover (5-0) @ Goffstown (3-2)
JFK Coliseum, Manchester, NH
December 27, 2017. 2:00PM Start:
Summary:
Goals:
Hanover: 2-2-1 = 5
Goffstown: 0-0-1 = 1
Shots:
Hanover: 10-12-9 = 31
Goffstown: 13-4-6 = 23
Scoring:
1st Hanover at 12:23. Even. Charlie Plottner from David Lehmann.
1st Hanover at 13:37. Even. Braxton McNulty from Charlie Plottner.
2nd Hanover at 13:46. Even. David Lehmann from Sylas Oberting and Owen Stadheim.
2nd Hanover at 14:10. Even. Charlie Plottner from Braxton McNulty.
3rd Goffstown at 3:15. Even. Grady Chretien (3) from Brett Lassonde (1) and Brett Branscum (2).
3rd Hanover at 11:44. Even. Sylas Oberting from Elias Zinman and David Lehmann.
Special Teams:
Hanover Power Play: 0 for 1.
Goffstown Power Play: 0 for 0.
Saves:
Hanover: Harris LaRock 22 of 23.
Goffstown: Madeline Sage 25 of 30.
Goffstown: Ethan Smith 1 of 1.
Christmas Hockey Classic: Grizzlies drop opener to Concord
Updated on 06/10/2022 | 1inawesomewonder
From J.F.K. Coliseum in Manchester, NH:
Goffstown kicked off the Christmas Hockey Classic Tournament at 4:00pm against one of the Division-I favorites to win the title, in the Crimson Tide of Concord. The scoreboard ended up showing a rather lopsided score, with Concord winning, 6-1. The score didn't completely tell the story of this game, but make no mistake, Concord is really good. Every line, every pairing, they all seem to be pretty good. Goffstown did get some good chances to score in the game, which included 4 power play chances, and the CBC line generated several opportunities on their own. On the other hand, the Grizzlies committed a couple of egregious turnovers, got beat as a result of some lazy defense, and gave up some goals that they probably wish they could take back.{C}
The final period was fairly anti-climatic. Goffstown didn't muster too much of a threat, and when they did, replacement goaltender, Parker Taylor, was there to make the save. Late in the third period Concord's Colin Kastle skated through the offensive zone like he was in a video game blowing through an obstacle course. Kastle converted the shot attempt against Ethan Smith, who had replaced Madeline Sage after starting the third period in lieu of LaSella. Kastle's goal was assisted by Jake Sullivan and Cam Lariviere. Concord skated away with a 6-1 win in the end.
Goffstown returns to the ice tomorrow afternoon at 2pm against Hanover (4-0, and another favorite in Division-I) who beat the Bow Falcons 6-2 in the tournament's opening game earlier this afternoon.
Christmas Classic:
Updated records.
Goffstown (3-2) @ Concord (4-0)
December 26, 2017. 4:00PM Start:
Summary:
Goffstown: 1-0-0 = 1
Shots:
Goffstown: 6-4-5 = 15
Scoring:
2nd Concord at 0:47. Even. Liam O'Brien from Colin Kastle.
Goffstown Power Play: 0 for 4.
Saves:
Concord: Spencer Burgess 9 of 10.
Concord: Parker Taylor 5 of 5.
Goffstown: Kyle LaSella 12 of 17.
Goffstown: Madeline Sage 5 of 5.
Goffstown: Ethan Smith 5 of 6.