Hanover Hockey Hair Spotlight: Matty Gardner

(Bloggers note: Each week during the season we will feature a “Hanover Hockey Hair Spotlight” hairstyle of the week.  This will be published on Fridays (except this week))

Player:  Matty Gardner

Hair Nickname(s): Peachfuzz; Freshman Fail

The Story Behind the Hair:  Usually my mommy cuts my hair for me every month but this year she said I could grow it longer as long as every night I promised to wash behind my ears and brush my teeth.

Hair Product(s): Johnson’s Baby Shampoo

Hair Primping Secret(s): I only take a bath twice per week.  When I am done playing with the bubbles in the bubble bath and I put my rubber ducky away, I put my head in the water and shake my head. 

One Word to Describe Your Family’s Feelings about Your Hair:  Nervous

Rink Talk: We haven’t quite figured this hair out at rink talk. We think this look is either the freshman trying to be cool and emulate the upperclassmen or his hair is getting too long because his mom has been too busy cutting the crusts off his peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to pull out the flowvee and give him a trim. We have hope though, and Braxton and David reassure us, that with their senior-level hockey hair grooming knowledge and strong tutelage they will be able to guide the freshman towards well-developed salad by playoff time. 

 

 

HOLIDAY TIME IN MANCHESTER – DAY 4

      In a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat thriller, the defending Division 1 state champion Bedford Bulldogs clinched the Manchester High School Christmas Holiday Tournament title with a 4-2 win over the Hanover Marauders.  It was the third straight tournament title for Bedford and the first loss on the season for Hanover which drops to 6-1.

      However, despite the two-goal difference in score, the game was close and it was only a late empty-netter when Hanover was crashing the goal with numerous late opportunities that won the game for Bedford.  This was hockey at its best – Friday night, tournament final, big crowd, veteran coaching, and two rival teams going shot-for-shot for 45 minutes.

      Bedford came into the season as one of the true favorites in Division 1.  Despite an early loss to Concord in league play, they are a senior-heavy, experienced, championship level team.  Conversely, the Marauders, who lost 11 seniors last year, had some questions coming into this year with so many gaps to fill.  However, after rocketing out to 6-0 on the season, there was no longer any doubt that Hanover was a force and that this final would be a thriller.

All tournament goalie
Harris LaRock

      From the start though, it looked as though it might be over quickly.  Only 3:31 in, Hanover found themselves down 2-0 on goals from Joey Sanclemente and Jack Sylvain.  The fast, physical Bedford forwards, especially on Sanclemete’s goal, were having their way in the neutral zone and outhustling the Hanover defense to the net resulting in good open looks and chances.  However, Hanover battled and as their confidence and physicality improved, so did their game chances.  It is said that the third goal is the most important in hockey, and everyone in the jammed JFK arena – from players to coaches to fans – knew the next goal would be critical. 

      Junior Hanover winger Joey Goff perhaps knew this more than everyone and at 13:40 left in the first, with the rest of the game critically in the balance, he took a Hans Williams feed at the left post and beat senior Bedford goalie Connor Laurendeau (25 saves).  Heading into the locker room after period 1, we now had a Bedford-Hanover thriller on our hands.

All tournament forward
David Lehmann

      The second period was exactly what everyone expected – end-to-end hockey, physical play on both sides that was by far the heaviest of the season for the Marauders, and numerous chances on each side, the most notable on a man-up for Hanover which had Laurendeau standing on his head to deny multiple good in-deep chances .  What wasn’t expected was a Bedford player’s assault of junior winger Charlie Plottner at mid-ice with a page taken right out of Vince McMahon’s WWE playbook.  In wrestling someone is determined to be pinned at a 3-count, but the rules are apparently different in hockey as not only was no penalty called, but Plottner was down for a good 5-6 seconds.

   With the game’s momentum swinging back and forth throughout the period, it was Bedford who struck first when senior Kyle Greer who stole the puck in the neutral zone, went in 1-1 from the left side,  and just barely snuck it by Harris LaRock for a 3-1 advantage at 9:55.  However, less than a minute later, Owen Stadheim snuck in from the left circle and his impossible-angle wrist shot beat Laurendeau high.   Now it was game-on again, and as the horn sounded to end the second, expectations for a championship third period were high.

All tournament defenseman
Braxton McNulty

      The crowd was not disappointed in the third.  It was LaRock (26 saves)  for Hanover who initially kept the Marauders in the game, especially with a glove save on a short-side rocket from the circle.  With the Marauders rolling lines to keep their top scorers on the ice, exhaustion was apparent and midway through the third period the game opened up as players from both teams felt the effect of four games in as many nights.  Finally, a Dick Dodds time-out with 3:20 left gave the team a breather, and one half-expected some of the Marauders, especially the run-hard defense, to lay down on the ice for a 60-second power nap.  One final push with LaRock pulled with a minute left gave Hanover one last good chance, but a late empty netter put the game out of reach and the Bulldogs had their championship.

      30 days ago, as tryouts began for the 2017-18 team, most would have been hard-pressed to predict that the 6-0 Marauders would take it to the limit with Bedford in the Christmas tournament championship game.  In the season preview, coach Dodds emphasized that in order for the season to be successful, the players would have to learn their new roles.  Well, it seems mission accomplished.  Harris LaRock, who never had a varsity start until three weeks ago, has developed into a complete force in backstopping the team.  Senior captain David Lehmann is tearing up the point sheet and leading his linemates Elias Zinman and Owen Stadheim to do the same.  The Plottner – Williams- Goff line has found its scoring touch with this year’s tournament being a coming out party for that group of juniors.  Toño Correa, Rowan Wilson, Cameron Woods and Peter Warhold are contributing solid minutes.  And senior captain Braxton McNulty has stabilized the defense, with Sam Seelig, Duncan Bailey, Sy Oberting, and Matty Gardner all improving into an impressive unit.

      Very deservedly, LaRock, Lehmann and McNulty captured all-tournament honors as the Marauders depart the Queen City with a 3-1 tournament record and all of the confidence that comes from exceeding pre-season expectations.  As they departed back on a snowy Route I-89, perhaps in the back of their mind they know where the state semi-finals will be held in March – JFK arena.

      The Marauders take on Nashua North this Wednesday at 6:30 at Campion.  Nashua North comes into the contest at 0-3 on the year.

  

HOLIDAY TIME IN MANCHESTER – DAY 3

      Day 3 of the Manchester High School Christmas Holiday Tournament had the Marauders facing arch rival and tough Division 1 foe Concord with a trip to the tourney finals and early Division 1 bragging rights on the line.  A crowded JFK Memorial Coliseum had the teams jacked up for the first of at least three meetings scheduled between the teams this year.  The Crimson Tide came into the game 5-0 having vanquished defending state champion Bedford already this year – certainly the betting line had Concord favored to advance.

      However, the feisty Marauders had other ideas.  With several HHS hockey alums in the crowd and many of the young Marauders playing in the biggest game yet of their high school careers, they put on a sizzling second period display of domination that heralded their official arrival as a 2017-18 title contender.  When the final horn sounded, Hanover had earned a well-deserved 4-2 win, a trip to the tournament finals, and the respect of everyone who came to see the Upper Valley boys battle their big city foes.

       The game started, however, exactly how the Marauders feared as they were consistently outhustled, outskilled and outgunned early by the Tide.  Goalie Harris LaRock, as he has done all tournament, kept his team in the game with several critical saves early.  However, the Tide kept rolling and at 2:53 senior Colin Kastle was left unguarded at the back door and put in a beautiful one-timer to beat LaRock and make it 1-0.

      However, rather than deflate Hanover, the goal almost seemed to energize the Marauders and at 9:44 the ubiquitous first line of Elias Zinman, David Lehmann and Owen Stadheim struck with the equalizer.  Strong back checking by Zinman led to a shot by Braxton McNulty, which was deflected by Lehmann to Stadheim who rifled in a stick side score on Concord goalie Parker Taylor to tie the score.

First varsity goal for Cameron Woods

      Almost as if a light switch went on, for the next 1+ period the Marauders were simply dominant in a complete reversal of play compared to the game’s opening minutes.  At 1:03 on the team’s first power play opportunity of the night, Sy Oberting ripped one from the point, which was redirected by Lehmann for the 2-1 advantage.  The Marauders continued their dominance and when given the second power play opportunity, a McNulty shot from the point was redirected by Zinman whose rebound was sent home by Matty Gardner to make it 3-1.  The Marauders continued to press and sophomore Cameron Woods netted his first varsity goal on a McNulty shot into the slot, which was redirected by Rowan Wilson to Woods.  The score was 4-1, the Tide had just been rolled, and Hanover had probably played their best period of the season.

     The third period featured two uncharacteristic Marauder penalties resulting in the need for two tough penalty killing shifts.  Just as the second man-up ended, Concord was finally able to break through with 40 seconds left on a blast from the point and a rebound score by Concord's Mike Stoddard.  However, it was too little, too late, and the Upper Valley boys had punched their way to a finals rematch with Bedford tomorrow night.


      LaRock had 19 saves on the night and Taylor made 32 for the Tide.

      All the New Hampshire high school hockey eyes will be on JFK coliseum tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. for the Bedford vs. Hanover final.  While the defending champion Bulldogs appropriately have garnered the early headlines, it is the Marauders, now sitting at 6-0, who bring the undefeated record to the battle.  With their 4^th game in as many days, the short bench of the Marauders will be tested by the upperclassmen-heavy Bedford line-up.   Get ready for a scintillating Friday night of high school hockey in the Queen City.

HOLIDAY TIME IN MANCHESTER – DAY 2

      Day 2 of the Manchester High School Christmas Holiday Tournament saw the Marauders once again open the day’s play against a Division 2 opponent, when they faced off against a hardy Goffstown Grizzlies team that entered the season with a 3-1 mark.  In a contest that seemed closer than the final 5-1 score, Hanover set themselves up for probably their toughest test of the season with a 6:00 pm battle scheduled for tomorrow evening against rival Concord.

      The first period was an even affair, and as the score remained 0-0 deep into the period, the Hanover faithful perhaps began to wonder if the team’s stay in a Queen City downtown hotel the night before may prove to be the high school equivalent of the hotel pool which has derailed many a youth hockey team’s tournament success.  However, senior goalie Harris LaRock was equal to the task of keeping his team even and torpedoed any chance for the upset-minded Grizzlies.

Harris LaRock continued to shine

      Junior Charlie Plottner continued his coming out party at this year’s tounrmant by notching his second goal in an as many days on a rebound off a David Lehmann wrist shot fed by Owen Stadheim at 12:29.  Co-captain Braxton McNulty made it 2-0 when he broke up a Goffstown neutral zone pass, sent to Plottner on the right wing who fed McNulty back for a short-sided goal from the slot at 13:37. 

      The game was fast-paced as there were very few whistles – in fact, there was only one penalty the entire night coming in the third period.  The second period was dominated by Goffstown back stopper freshman Madeline Sage who turned away every Marauder effort.  She really was the hero for the Grizzlies and kept the Marauders off the scoreboard until a Sy Oberting pass to a crashing Lehmann led to a 3-0 Marauder advantage at 13:49 of the second. Moments later the Goff-Plottner-Hans Williams line netted their second of the game with Plottner scoring in close on a nice neutral zone feed from Goff.

      With the roar taken out of the Grizzlies following the two late period goals, it seemed Hanover would be able to pile it on going into the final frame.  However, Goffstown came out physical and fast and had numerous good scoring chances before final finding the back of the net on a nice blast from the point with an impossible-to-stop deflection from close range at 3:10 in the third.  However, the flow slowly swung back in Hanover’s favor and just as the only man-up of the game concluded for Hanover, an Elias Zinman feed to Lehman to Oberting streaking in front of the net completed the scoring at 12:44.

       With the win, the Marauders come away with their fifth victory to start the season and go to 2-0 in the tournament.  Awaiting the Marauders is the Concord Crimson Tide, who faced Bow in a round robin game this evening (after press time).   On a predicted frigid Thursday evening, tomorrow’s contest between the two rivals should present the toughest test yet on the season for Dick Dodd’s squad with the winner likely punching their ticket to Friday’s final.

HOLIDAY TIME IN MANCHESTER – DAY 1

Junior Charlie Plottner had two points

      The Hanover Marauders boy’s ice hockey team opened up round robin play in the Manchester High School Christmas Holiday Tournament with an efficient 6-2 win against the Division II Bow Falcons.  Coming off a snow cancellation, which forced postponement of their widely anticipated match-up against Bedford this past weekend, Dick Dodd’s Marauders took to the ice for the first of what will hopefully be four contests over the Holiday week.

 

      The Falcons came into the game with a season record of 1-2 having followed up an opening game win against Winnacunnet with two straight losses to Dover and Keene.  The Marauders came in with a gaudy 3-0-0 record and opened the tournament looking to avenge last year’s 3-0 loss in the tourney final to Bedford.

      The tournament opened with one of the prettiest goals of the year for Hanover with junior defenseman Sam Seelig taking it near end-to-end and beating goalie Jason Howe for a 1-0 lead at 4:07. Perhaps it was his feature this week as the “Hanover Hockey Hairstyle” player of the week that gave Seelig the extra spark to put the Marauders up for good unassisted.  As they have done all season, the Hanover power play came through yet again as senior captain David Lehman made it 2-0 at 9:01 on the first man advantage of the contest on assists from Matty Gardner and Elias Zinman.  However, a turnover deep in the Hanover zone at 11:04 allowed Bow to make is 2-1 on a Ryan Tobler to little brother Ben Tobler Falcon goal.

This weeks Hanover Hair Spotlight Player Sam Seelig had his first goal - must be the hair

      Not to be outdone by the Tobler brothers, hard work by Owen Stadheim to establish the fore-check led to a nifty pass to junior Charlie Plottner to make it a 3-1 advantage short-handed at 3:49 in the second period. The game remained Hanover’s to dominate with numerous scoring changes turned away by Howe until that high flying line of Stadheim, Lehman, and Zinman struck again on the power play with Lehmann’s second goal of the night to make it 4-1 at 10:56.  The Marauders completed the three goal period barrage with a Hans Williams goal from linemates Plottner and Joey Goff assisting at 8:45.

      The final period featured a goal apiece for each team with senior captain Braxton McNulty’s ripper from the point making it 6-1 on an assist from sophomore Cameron Woods with his first varsity point at 9:44.  Just before the final period ended, the Tobler boys again victimized the Marauders on their own man-up to make it a 6-2 final.

      The Marauders peppered the Falcons with 43 shots.  Goalie Harris LaRock had 11 saves for Hanover on 13 shots.

      It will be deja-vu tomorrow afternoon as the Marauders take on 3-1 Goffstown, another Division 2 team, at 2:00 pm tomorrow at JFK arena.  With the Marauders spending the night in Manchester tonight at the team hotel, we can expect a well-rested squad for tomorrow’s tilt.

Hanover Hockey Player Spotlight: Peter Warhold

(Bloggers note: Each week during the season we will feature a “Hanover Hockey Player Spotlight”.  This feature will be published on Mondays throughout the season)

Player:  Peter Warhold

Number: 14

Position: Wing

Hometown: Berlin, MA  and now Norwich, VT – moved to Norwich when 7 years old

Years on Varsity: 1

Youth Hockey Experience: I learned to skate in Marlborough, MA and then I came up and played on Hanover Wild.  My brothers switched to Woodstock and so I moved to Woodstock for second year Pee Wees and Bantams at Woodstock.

Favorite Part of Playing for Hanover High: The guys – always a close group.  Everyone is familiar with each other.  Everyone likes each other at Hanover.  Everyone is very close on the team.

Best Team Hockey Moment: My second year Bantams we got a new coach after the previous year we were terrible.  We got the varsity coach at Woodstock and got really good.  We were one of the best in the state although we had a terrible state championship and we blew it. 

Best Personal Hockey Moment: Making varsity this year after two years on the JV

Favorite Sport Besides Hockey:  Lacrosse

Favorite Professional Team: Patriots – John Jones from UFC a close second

One Interesting Fact to Share About Myself: I have a small sheep farm at my house with 6 sheep

Hanover Hockey Hair Spotlight: Sam Seelig

(Bloggers note: Each week during the season we will feature a “Hanover Hockey Hair Spotlight” hairstyle of the week.  This will be published on Fridays)

 

Player:  Sam Seelig

Hair Nickname(s): The Mop, The Fro

The Story Behind the Hair: My hair actually didn't get curly until I was in about 7th grade. That was also when I let it get as long it's ever been so that's where the nickname "the mop" came from. With curly hair you never know what it's going to look like when you wake up, and going to sleep with wet hair is playing an especially dangerous game. Lately I prefer it to be shorter, but I've been letting it grow so I can have a good mullet for playoffs. Last year I made the mistake of getting it cut mid-season, which won't happen again. I'm excited to see whether it keeps growing up and to the sides or whether it will eventually start to grow down. 

Hair Product(s): At home: Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo/Conditioner; At the Rink: Nivea 3in1 and Hans's Pantene Conditioner

Hair Primping Secret(s): The key is to leave some conditioner in your hair and then gently dry without rubbing otherwise it gets really frizzy. Shampoo and conditioner meant specifically for curly hair is also key. I can do this at home, but at the rink it is much easier to use 3in1 then to trade for some extra conditioner because that way I only have to carry one bottle. Because of this my hair is usually much frizzier after morning practice than after I shower at home. 

One Word to Describe Your Family’s Feelings about Your Hair: Surprised 

Rink Talk: One of the reasons we love this look is that it never takes an off-season.  Most players start growing their hockey hair when the leaves start to fall – not this guy.  When everyone else is lining up at the Colonial Barber shop in March for their post-season trim, #12 is just starting to get his grow on.  And with all due respect to the Sabres alternate captain, you wear the look much better than Jack Eichel ever did.  Strong hair from a strong player – we respect the effort and commitment #12.

THURSDAY NIGHT RAW

      The Hanover Marauders upended Nashua South 5-0 in a game featuring 9 penalties for the Panthers and another stellar performance by Hanover goalie Harris LaRock in earning his first career shutout with a 13 save performance.  With the win, coach Dick Dodd’s Marauders go to 3-0 on the season with a huge game looming this weekend with defending Division 1 champion Bedford.




David Lehmann went big with four points

      The clash at Nashua’s Conway arena was chippy from the start with neither team establishing an edge in the scoring column, despite massive offensive pressure from the line of Joey Goff, Hans Williams and Charlie Plottner.  Were it not for the stellar net minding of Nashua goalie Adam Gagnon, the Marauders would have gained an early advantage.  A huge save by Gagnon on a Plottner rocket from Goff kept the score at 0-0 going into the second period.

Braxton McNulty had his first goal of the season

      As they have in their previous two games, the Marauders continued to be very strong after the first intermission.  Captains David Lehmann and Braxton McNulty went back-to-back on the same shift at the 24 and 35 second mark of the second period to open up a two goal lead.  Assists credited to Sylas Oberting and Lehmann.  The onslaught continued at 13:50 with Lehmann notching his second of the night on a man-up with assists from linemates Owen Stadheim and Elias Zinman to make it 3-0 at the end of the period.

Sy Oberting had a goal and an assist 

      The final frame saw Nashua implode with five penalties, including a game misconduct on the Nashua coach resulting in his ejection.  The Marauders though maintained their composure and increased their lead to 4-0 on a Matty Gardner goal with assists from Elias Zinman and Lehman on a 5 on 3 advantage.  Strong forward play from the line of Rowan Wilson, Cameron Woods, Peter Warhold and Toño Correa almost resulted in another goal when a Wilson breakaway was stoned by Gagnon.   An Oberting tally off a feed from Stadheim finished up the scoring and with the buzzer the Marauders remained undefeated in Division I.

      Hanover outshot the Panthers 45-13 and if not for the strong goalie play, the score would have been even more lopsided. 

      With less than 48 hours to recuperate, the Marauders square off against Bedford at 4:30 this Saturday afternoon for a pre-holiday tilt at Campion that will be a strong litmus test for future Hanover playoff success.

 

 

 

Hanover Hockey Player Spotlight: Harris LaRock

(Bloggers note: Each week during the season we will feature a “Hanover Hockey Player Spotlight”.  This feature will be published on Mondays throughout the season)

Player:  Harris LaRock

Number: 35

Position: Goalie

Hometown: Norwich

Years on Varsity: 3

Youth Hockey Experience: I played for the Hanover Wild throughout all of youth hockey.  I started in Learn to Play as a skater and went ½ way through Mites as a defender.  I started as goalie ½ way through Mites when the goalie we had didn’t want to play.  I got forced to play that game and continued to play the whole year – we won the state championship as Mites that year.  I was hooked on goalie after that.  I played goalie throughout my time with the Wild but I never ended up winning another state championship.

Favorite Part of Playing for Hanover High: I like the brotherhood aspect.  When I played for the Wild, I wasn’t that close to anyone on the team.  Everyone on this team is a lot closer.  We do more together and really all get along

Best Team Hockey Moment: The best is yet to come

Best Personal Hockey Moment: I won the Leave No Doubt Lunch Bucket Award against Londonderry – this was my first varsity game that I started

Favorite Sport Besides Hockey: Baseball

Favorite Professional Team: Patriots

One Interesting Fact to Share About Myself:  I own about 50 hats and about 30 Hawaiian shirts

 

Blogs coming this week: Thursday Nashua game recap; Friday Hanover Hockey Hair Spotlight; Saturday Bedford game recap

TAKING IT TO THE BLUE DEVILS

The all-of-a-sudden not so young anymore Hanover Marauders boy’s hockey team put on an exhibition of crisp, penalty-free hockey in beating last year’s Division 1 semifinalist Salem 6-2 on Saturday in their home opener at Campion Rink.

Led by a punishing power play, which went 3-for-3 on the afternoon (running their season total to 5-for-7) and a staunch defense that limited the impact of Blue Devil senior star Matty Pappalardo to one goal, Hanover won its second game to open the season.

Owen Stadheim

The line of Owen Stadheim, Elias Zinman and David Lehmann exploded for four goals with the shifty sophomore Stadheim netting two, and Zinman and Lehmann scoring one apiece.  More impressively, the Marauders stayed out of the penalty box, allowing them to continuously press the Salem defense and Blue Devil freshman goalie Brady Roux.  The Marauders held a 36-21 advantage in shots.

Hanover senior goalie Harris LaRock followed up his spectacular opening night against Londonderry with another very strong performance, making 19 saves.  Defenders Braxton McNulty, Duncan Bailey and Sam Seelig were critical to protecting the Hanover zone all afternoon.

Zinman opened the scoring at 2:46 on the man up after a Blue Devil hook.  Stadheim directed a nice feed to McNulty at the point whose shot was deflected by Zinman parked in the high slot – 1-0 Hanover.  At 9:41, however, Pappalardo broke loose from the right circle beating Harris stick side to knot the score at 1-1.

However, the Marauders struck back on a pretty sequence – Zinman to Lehman to Stadheim whose redirection to the right side of the net put the Marauders up 2-1 to end the first period.

Elias Zinman

As they did against Londonderry three days earlier, Hanover came out flying in the second period and dominated play with rush after rush into the Blue Devil zone.  Junior Hans Williams started the second period scoring barrage with a near-end-to-end run with a beautiful stick side finish to beat Roux at 1:44.  Hanover struck again two minutes later on the power play when Matty Gardner stuck in his own rebound with the assists going to Zinman and sophomore Sy Oberting.  Stadheim then completed the second period scoring with the prettiest goal of the night, dancing around 3 Blue Devil defenders before beating Roux from the circle on a Gardner assist to make it 5-1.

Expecting a physical third period, Hanover continued to play very intelligent hockey as they kept the Blue Devils pinned in their zone for much of the final frame and avoided the box and most importantly, injury.  Lehmann notched his second point of the night at 9:50, roofing an Oberting pass from the slot to make it 6-1. While Salem was able to close the gap to 6-2 on a Ryan Martin goal at the 12:36 mark, the result was never in doubt.

With the win, Hanover goes to 2-0-0 on the season and takes the season series from the Blue Devils. They Marauders will hit the road this Thursday for a date with Nashua South-Pelham, who are 1-1 on the season with a win against Bishop Brady and a loss to Dover.

 

 

Hanover Hockey Hair Spotlight: Braxton McNulty

(Bloggers note: Each week during the season we will feature a “Hanover Hockey Hair Spotlight” hairstyle of the week.  This will be published on Fridays)

Player:  Braxton McNulty

Hair Nickname(s): The Fro; The Embarrassment

The Story Behind the Hair:  I call it the “fro” because there is so much life to it, such a surprise every morning when I wake up because I don’t know what to expect.  It is a surprise every day.  I try to have some curls in the back and wings on the side.  I usually wear a baseball hat but with winter coming I am wearing a winter hat now and this could change my look a little bit.  My hair is kind of disappointing to my mom – she is from the South.  She recommended that if I wanted to get a date to the holiday dance I needed to cut my hair shorter.  I had to shave the beard because of the dance but I think the beard will make an appearance again in mid-January. My dad loves the beard – there has been a lot of family debate.

Hair Product(s): Alba Botanica, Garnier Fructis, Dove for Men

Hair Primping Secret(s): I primarily use alba botanica shampoo and conditioner (two bottles). I am a huge fan due to the fruity smell and always buy the mango kind. For showering at the rink, I use garnier fructis. I am a big fan of the kinds that leave a fruit smell. Occasionally I even mix with herbal essences to get a different player in the mix. On game days I’ll sometimes just use conditioner and not shampoo which will make it soft and give it a nice bounce.

One Word to Describe Your Family’s Feelings about Your Hair:  Mom – Embarrassed   Sister – Horrified     Dad - Impressed

Rink Talk: This is a beast-like offering from your captain.  He’s saying “Follow-me team. I’m strong. I’m confident. I’m your leader. I’ve got the hair.”  When it’s the third period and you’ve just turned that puck over in the neutral zone and you’re scared all you have to do is look over at the Aslan-like mane sitting atop #16 and know that everything will be OK.  Also, for you parents out there, hair like this helps get your child into Wake Forest.

2017-18 SEASON PREVIEW

The 2017-18 edition of the Hanover Marauders boy’s ice hockey team is young, skilled and anxious to get started after a very strong ‘16-17 which saw them reaching the Division 1 quarterfinals where they were ousted by Bishop Guertin in a tough 6-2 loss at Campion rink.

Having lost 11 seniors from last year’s team and with six new varsity skaters, this year’s Marauder team is young, but 36-year coach Dick Dodds has been impressed with his team thus far.

“We (the assistant coaches and myself) have have been impressed with this groups’ ability and desire to improve every day.  One of our goals this year is to try to get better every day and so far we have done that.  Our veterans have given us solid leadership both on and off the ice and have so far been good leaders and mentors to our younger skaters.”

Assisting coach Dodds this year for the second straight year will be assistant coaches Pat Doherty, Dave Sutton and Dean Cashman.  Dodds believes each coach brings strengths to the team.  “I was told by Jack Turco when I first started to surround yourself with quality folks and we’ve outdone ourselves with this group of coaches.  They embody everything that we want – they are passionate about hockey, they are passionate about Hanover hockey, all three were Hanover hockey captains, and all three have made a difference on this team and in the community.”

Doherty and Cashman will be handling primarily the offense and Sutton the defense.  Doherty brings the experience of being a standout player at St. Lawrence and a professional hockey player for two seasons.  Cashman brings a very strong knowledge of the game (“A great X’s and O’s guy” per Dodds) and a passion for the game with a positive message that keeps the players motivated and engaged. Sutton brings a toughness and work ethic to the defense epitomized by the legendary story of having his chin sewn up without anesthesia in high school in the locker room so he wouldn’t miss his next shift.

This year’s Marauder team is anchored by three-year varsity players and co-captains Braxton McNulty and David Lehmann.  Both have extensive experience playing in the rigor of New Hampshire Division I hockey and both are ready to push toward a state title for Hanover in March.

Captain McNulty believes “We have a relatively young team but a lot of depth on the back end.  We can roll three solid lines.  We have four solid coaches.  So far, the kids are really passionate.  Preseason has gone well.  We won’t be as big hitting as we were last year but will be moving the puck more.  This team is much more about speed than it is about size.”

Lehmann agrees.  “Our biggest challenge will be getting to know the new guys.  At first I wasn’t sure how we were going to replace 11 seniors.  But after skating with them I see they have completely different styles.  Not all are huge.  All of these kids will bring a new perspective and new skill set as we move toward a more skilled game.”

Dodds like the leadership his veterans bring to the team and also the infusion of energy with the new players.  “The new players have brought a great boost of positive energy to the rink.  We feel that energy on the ice and in the locker room.”

The offense will feature seniors Lehmann and Peter Warhold, juniors Hans Williams, Elias Zinman, Charlie Plottner, and Joey Goff and sophomores Owen Stadheim, Toño Correa, Rowan Wilson and Cameron Woods.  Dodds is looking to play a quicker, up-tempo game with a focus more on possession and skill with everyone contributing.

The defense will be led by McNulty with juniors Sam Seelig and Duncan Bailey, sophomore Sy Oberting and freshman Matty Gardner seeing action.

In the net will be senior Harris LaRock and sophomore Henry Bernard.

Dodds see his biggest challenge as helping the players adjust to their new roles.  The team’s success will hinge largely on how quickly these players can adjust to their new roles and style of play that is very different from last year.

Division 1 should be very competitive this year according to Dodds, with perennial powers Bishop Guertin, Concord, Bedford and Pinkerton all being in the mix.  However, Dodds is cautiously optimistic about his teams’ chances.  “Anyone can beat anyone – we have the possibility of beating anyone on our schedule.”

“I am really looking forward to the season.  We need to stay healthy and committed to our goal to get better every day.  So far I am very happy at how the team is looking this year.”

OPENING NIGHT!

The 2017-18 edition of the Hanover Marauders boy’s ice hockey team opened their season with a convincing 4-1 victory over the Londonderry Lancers at Tri-Town Arena in Hooksett.

Playing on the North (big) rink in front of a boisterous Lancer student crowd, the Convenient MD advertising banners hanging from the rafters at both ends of the rink, the young Marauders played an especially strong second and third period in securing the win for coach Dick Dodds.

The opening frame saw the Lancers dominate early, with senior Hanover netminder Harris LaRock being peppered yet turning away every shot, with an especially strong glove save from the point at 11:21.  However, the tide began to slowly turn midway through the period as the young Hanover team developed more confidence on the puck. When Hanover secured the first power play opportunity after Sam Seelig drew a tripping penalty behind the net with 10 minutes left in the first, they capitalized.  Junior winger Elias Zinman deflected in a Matty Gardner tip off a Sylas Oberting blast from the point to open the season scoring – 1-0 Marauders. Hanover continued to press, especially with another power play opportunity at 8:10 off a Lancer trip.  However, Londonderry junior goaltender Cameron Donovan turned away several Hanover shots in protecting the 1 goal advantrage.  A huge save by Harris off a Hanover turnover resulting in a Lancer breakway kept the score at 1-0 and the Hanover forecheck kept the Lancers pinned deep in their end until the period’s conclusion.

The second period saw the Marauders come out flying with line after line keeping the Lancers deep in their zone.  At 14:14, senior captain Braxton McNulty’s bomb from the point was beautifully re-directed by his fellow captain David Lehmann for a 2-0 Hanover lead.  Despite Hanover’s barrage, Donovan kept the Lancers in the game throughout the period, turning away multiple good efforts, many of them coming from junior Hans Williams and sophomore Owen Stadheim.  Despite dominating the period, the Lancers almost made it a one goal game when, with one second left after a turnover deep in the Hanover zone, Harris turned away a point blank shot.  All the momentum stayed with Hanover as they began the third period.

The final frame saw more of the same Hanover dominance with especially strong forechecking from juniors Charlie Plottner and Joey Goff.  The high energy line of Cameron Woods, Rowan Wilson and Toño Correa, with help from Peter Warhold, helped turn away every Lancer push.  At 9:51, Stadheim recorded his first tally of the season in a scrum on a power play to make it 3-0 with assists credited to Lehmann and Gardner.  Despite the score, however, the Lancers continued to fight and with 2:49 Londonderry senior defenseman Ben Henson made it 3-1 unassisted on a wrist shot from the left circle on the power play. With the game’s momentum in the balance, Londonderry pulled their goalie, but Oberting stomped any chance of a comeback with a long empty netter off a feed from Goff making it 4-1 with 37 seconds to play. 

With the final buzzer, the Lancer student section had been reduced to only a few deflated diehards and the young Marauders had taken their first giant step of the season

LaRock was magnificent in goal, posting 24 saves on 25 shots for the Lancers.  Hanover had 32 shots on the night. 

The undefeated Marauders (1-0-0) go for season win #2 this Saturday when Salem visits Campion Rink for a 2:00 pm start.





Hanover Player Spotlight: Captain David Lehmann

                                                           

(Bloggers note: Each week during the season we will feature a “Hanover Hockey Player Spotlight”.  This feature will be published on Mondays throughout the season)

Number: 5

Hometown: Hanover

Position: Right wing

Years on Varsity: 3

Youth Hockey Experience: I played Hanover Wild all the way through.  I started in the Learn to Play program and finished with the Bantams.  I was part of the Pee Wee team that went to Nationals in Virginia. 

Favorite Part of Playing for Hanover High:  My favorite part of Hanover Hockey is the alumni involvement.  I love when I am walking in town wearing my jacket and an alum asks me about how the season is going and tells me about his experience.  I also feel really fortunate playing for coach Dodds who is so prepared and so invested in making us a better team.

Best Team Hockey Moment: Beating Bishop Guertin last year at home

Best Personal Hockey Moment:  Playing Concord last year on senior night I scored the game-tying and game-winning goals.

Favorite Sport Besides Hockey:  Baseball

Favorite Professional Team:  Sabres

One Interesting Fact to Share About Myself:  I played defense all through youth hockey but then I changed to forward because I thought I would have a better chance at making the varsity team.

Blogs Coming this Week: Wednesday Londonderry Game Recap; Thursday 2017-18 Season Preview; Friday Hanover Hockey Hair Spotlight; Saturday Salem Game Recap