This
is a tough one to write.
Not
because of the 6-2 loss. The better team won today in this NHIAA state quarterfinal
match-up between the 14-6-1 and fourth-seeded Hanover Marauders and the 12-5-1 fifth-seeded
Trinity Pioneers.
But
it hurts. It hurts badly. Because it
hurts for the six seniors who played in their last meaningful hockey game and
their underclassman teammates who gave such a strong effort this year.
It
hurts because of the awesome year they had. Starting back in early December
through tryouts, the Keene jamboree, incredible wins over Pinkerton and
Concord, a trip to see the Devils and having most of all the opportunity to
play and compete for the legend of New Hampshire hockey Dick Dodds as well as
his incredible coaching staff of Dean Cashman, Patrick Doherty, Alex Dodds and
strength coach Wayne Burwell.
There
is not really too much to say about the game except none of these boys will
make a career out of playing hockey. However,
they will make a career based on the characteristics embued in them while
playing hockey, especially in games like this one. We can be very proud of how they handled
themselves throughout the year in both victory and as with today's game, in
defeat.
So
we say goodbye to six wonderful players who embodied and perpetuated the
Hanover tradition. Charlie Plottner, Hans Williams, Duncan Bailey, Sam Seelig, Will
Laycock, and Joey Goff - thank you.
Thank you for committing yourselves to Hanover, thank you for being role
models for the younger players not only on the team but for the Youth Hockey
Association players who come to watch you, and thank you for giving us so much
joy in watching you during your Hanover careers.
It
is too premature to speak about next year because it hurts so badly this Sunday
morning. But that is why all of us are
so invested - the emotions that this game triggers and the lessons it teaches
that will go well beyond the hockey rink.
Thank
yous go to coaches Dodds, Cashman, Burwell, Alex Dodds, and Doherty and thank
you to the players, managers, POCs, fans and everyone else who made this an
incredible year.
We
will see you soon at the next rink.
