Manchester Tourney - Day 4 vs Trinity

Another game report from @ Chaimberg:

Jonathan Goff's goal with just over a minute to play was the game 
winner, as Hanover defeated the Trinity Pioneers 3-2 in the consolation 
game of the Manchester Holiday Tournament. Jake Acker and Gavin Ratliff 
also tallied, and younger brother Luke Ratliff was solid in the 
Marauder net.
Trinity opened the scoring at 9:47 of the first period.  Hanover had 
difficulty breaking out of their end, and a shot from the point 
resulted in a scramble in front of the Marauder net, with the puck 
eventually batted into the goal. A minute and a half later, Jake tied 
the score off a one-timer from the slot.  Gavin controlled the play as 
he circled behind the Trinity net, cycling with Gus Lyons, before the 
puck was fed to Jake.
One minute into the middle period Gavin scored an unassisted goal to 
give Hanover the lead, intercepting a Pioneer pass up the middle, 
skating into the slot, and throwing a backhander on net.  The shot 
handcuffed the Trinity netminder, and slowly trickled over the goal 
line.  Trinity looked to have the equalizer a few minutes later, but 
Luke made a remarkable save on what appeared to be a clear shot at an 
empty goal.  Shortly thereafter, a seemly harmless shot from outside 
the blue line caught Luke' shoulder and nearly rolled into the net.  
Hanover got into penalty trouble late in the period, when a too many 
men on the ice infraction resulted in a five on three advantage for the 
final minute.
With less than four minutes left in the match, and each team a man 
down, Trinity got the equalizer.  The Pioneers failed to convert on 
their ensuing power play, and it looked as thought the game might need 
to be  decided by a shoot out. But Jonathon's heroics, following up his 
own shot and poking the rebound through the Trinity goalie's pads broke 
the deadlock.  The Pioneers pulled their goalie for an extra attacker 
but were unable to get a good shot on goal.
All in all, a very enjoyable weekend that saw the Marauders improve 
during the tournament. We are all looking forward to how the team will 
fare in their rematch with Bedford on Saturday.

And, contrary to published reports, (Today's Valley News writeup, may require an online subscription) your loyal blogger didn't lace up his skates and sneak out on to the ice.  If he had, you'd all know where the term "bender" comes from!

And, in case you missed it, Memorial topped Bedford 3-1 to earn the tourney crown.  

Thanks to all who made the weekend possible - especially Coaches Dodds, Cashman, and Dodds who devoted a large chunk of their holiday weekend to making it a special event for the boys.

A well earned day off today, than back to the grind in preparation for Saturday's rematch vs Bedford.

Manchester Tourney - Day 3

Another report from @Chaimberg.  If you don't follow him on Twitter, you should!

It was another warm, springlike day, as the Marauders travelled the few blocks from their overnight hotel to JFK arena.  The excitement was palpable in anticipation of the match between undefeated Hanover and Bedford.

The entire Marauder squad was dressed for action, and Loud was selected to play in his first varsity game. 

No one in the large crowd was disappointed by a terrific first period which featured back and forth action and few stoppages.  Bedford, the larger and more physical team, controlled the play deep in the Hanover zone, cycling the puck behind the goal, pinching at the points, and using their size to try to intimidate their opponents.  Hanover on the other hand, demonstrated their superior speed and passing, enabling them to deftly transition into the offensive zone. While the Bulldogs had the better of the odd man rushes, the Marauders led in time of possession.  With less than a minute left the first, Kim gathered in a loose puck and let go a hard wrist shot from the circle to give Hanover the lead. 

The Marauders kept their foot on the accelerator, but the Bulldogs tied the score five minutes into the second when they were able to knock in a rebound of a point shot.  The teams traded power plays, and it was apparent that Hanover needed to stay out of the penalty box to win this match.  Unfortunately, Bedford capitalized on their next man advantage, when a shot from the point was deflected into the goal.  Most in the partisan crowd thought the goal would be disallowed for a high stick, but this was not the case, and the period ended with Bedford in front two to one.

The Bulldogs got an insurance goal early in the third, as they pounded away at the puck in the crease.  Bedford connected on another power play opportunity with another deflection, this time off the leg of a forward parked in the slot.  Hanover had a few chances to pull back into the game, but Goff's one-timer from the slot was smothered by the Bedford netminder, and B. Acker was hauled down on a breakaway.

Special teams were the difference in this game; Bedford went two for four on their power play, while Hanover was scoreless in three opportunities.  Hanover plays Trinity in their final match.

One more trip down 89 and one more game to go, tonight vs long time rival Trinity.  At the preseason meeting, Coach Dodds was lamenting the change in the D1 schedule that had us no longer playing a regular season home and home with Trinity - well Coach, looks like you got them twice this season any way.  Funny how life has its own way of working things out for you!

Manchester Tourney - Day 2

The day started with a nice win over perennial power Manchester Central, ensuring that there would be a 4th game on Monday.  Thanks to the Milk Man (follow him @Chaimberg) for the writeup:

Hanover received goals from six different players, including a pair from Kim and Stadheim en route to a 8 to 2 victory over Manchester Central.  Short-handed specialist G Ratliff broke the ice  with the Marauders down a man, skating in alone, deking the goalie and slipping the puck into the net.  Kim closed out the first period by knocking in a rebound after McCoy's shot from the point was blocked.
Hanover increased their lead when Stadheim's shot from a sharp angle slipped between the Central tender and the post. The Marauders upped the margin to four goals with a power play tally as B Acker's went top shelf from in close.  Kim collected his second of the contest, swatting in the loose puck after B Acker's shot was blocked, but fell into the crease.  Before the end of the second, Central got onto the scoresheet when Hanover had difficultly clearing the zone and a player was left open in front.
Gus upped the lead to six-one with a power play goal.  Unfortunately, I missed the play trying to coordinate transport of my valise from Etna.  Nevertheless, the Marauder's kept attacking, and Stadheim added another short handed goal, once again scoring from the side of the goal.  One of the few Hanover miscues, a blue line pinch that went awry, led to a perfectly executed Manchester two on one for a second goal.  J Acker, invigorated from his intermission banana, closed out the scoring by putting the puck into a net vacated by the Central goalie after a wild scramble.
Hanover takes on 2-0 Bedford at noon, the winner heading to the championship match.

Following the game, a Monarchs game, and then this:

Not the trophy the boys hope to get a picture with at Verizon in early March, but pretty cool.

Then, back to the hotel for the night.  By all reports,a good night of fun, team building, bonding.  Then, Sun AM - back to the rink to take on Bedford.

And,  few pics from day 1 vs Goffstown, courtesy of Friend of the program and guest photographer Bob Dewhirst.  Thanks for sharing Bob

Hanover vs Goffstown pics