Jan 23, Hanover 3 - Nashua North/Souhegan 1

Orthrus - the legendary two headed dog of Greek mythology was responsible for guarding his master's cattle in the land of Erytheia.

Loud/Ratliff - the Marauders two headed goal-tending tandem, responsible for guarding the Hanover net and keeping the Marauders in games until their mates can find a way to score enough goals to win.  Last night was Loud's turn, as he turned away 19 of the 20 shots he faced and backstopped Hanover to a 3-1 win over the Nashua North-Souhegan SaberTitans.  In the 10 games Hanover has played this year against teams not named Bedford, the goaltending duo has allowed a paltry 17 goals.  With the win, Hanover improves to 4-3-1 in the NHIAA and currently sits in 7th place in the league standings.

The first period was for the most part a muddle of neutral zone play, with neither team gaining any traction.  Hanover struck first with a short handed goal when Stadheim picked off a N-S pass at the blue line and skated in alone, neatly deked the goalie and slid the puck into the back of the net.  Unfortunately, the boost was short lived, as the N-S powerplay continued and a loose puck in the slot was converted into a well placed snipe that beat Loud glove side less than a minute later.

The second period turned into a special teams battle, as both teams took penalties and had extended periods with the man advantage.  The heroes of the period for Hanover were Stadheim, Acker, and Smith, who combined to kill two complete minutes of a N-S 5 on 3 advantage, helped along the way by several big stops from Loud.

The Marauders had several good bids of their own in the 2nd, and finally broke through with just 12 seconds to play.  Stadheim netted the eventual game winner, his second of the game, when he picked up a rebound of a Beaver shot and slid it past the goalie.  Acker was credited with the second assist on the play.

The third period was more of the same - a tight, physical battle, with N-S probing for the equalizer, and Hanover searching for the 3rd goal to give them some breathing room.  Neither team broke through, until Smith finally put the game out of reach with an empty-net goal with less than a minute to play. Acker earned his second point of the night with an assist on the Smith goal.

Next up for Hanover is an early dismissal road trip to Exeter for an afternoon tilt on Weds.  Exeter currently sits just a half game ahead of the Marauders, and have a win over Bedford on their resume, so it promises to be quite a matchup.

Jan 20: Concord 4 - Hanover 1

At the most basic level, hockey is all about taking advantage of the other team's mistakes, and limiting their ability to take advantage of yours.  The Concord Crimson Tide proved the truth of that on Wednesday night at Campion.  The end result was a 4-1 victory for the undefeated Crimson, in a game that was much closer than the final score indicated.

Concord is an experienced team, looking to make a return trip to the state finals, and currently sitting in 1st place in the NHIAA Div 1 standings.  In a scoreless first period, the Marauders carried the play, and had the majority of the possession and at least three legitimate scoring chances that went for naught.  The period ended with a 8-7 shot advantage for Hanover, and the Marauders went to their room feeling confident in their ability to run with the big dogs.

In the second period, Concord took advantage of Hanover miscues to put three pucks past Ratliff in the Hanover goal.  An untimely turnover in the defensive zone; an unfortunate bounce off a defenseman's stick; a deflected shot from the point, and a 3-0 lead for the Tide at the 2nd intermission.

The third period brought a role reversal of the common Hanover pattern from previous games, as a string of Concord penalties put the Marauders on the power play for the majority of the period.  Long stretches of sustained pressure and offensive zone possession finally led to a Goff goal (assists to Zinman and Baker) with just over 5 minutes to play.  A furious five minutes followed, but no second goal was forthcoming, and eventually Concord closed out the scoring with an empty net goal in the final seconds.

Thanks to Lake Sunapee Bank for sponsoring tonight's game.  Next up for the Marauders is another home game, Saturday at 7:10 against the Nashua North/Souhegan co-op team.

January 16: Hanover 3, Londonderry 2

Deja-vu all over again for the Hanover Marauders on Saturday night at Campion Rink as they survived 8 penalties for the second game in a row and held on to defeat Londonderry.  With the win, Hanover improves to 3-2-1 in the NHIAA standings, and continues their modest 3 game unbeaten streak.  Thanks to Mascoma Savings Bank for generously sponsoring the game and supporting the program.

A quiet first period, in which neither team drew a penalty, was highlighted by Stadheim's goal (assists to Goff and Acker).  When the Zamboni "burped" at the end of its 1st intermission tour around the ice, anyone who believes in the spirits and omens could probably predict that the 2nd period was going to be a little rougher.

Sure enough, in the second period, the Marauders seemed to get back to doing what they do best (or at least doing what they are used to) - playing shorthanded hockey.  Five minor penalties were killed in the period, including a minute of 5 on 3 that included the career debut of Acker on the back line. Along the way, we also saw a couple of Hanover power plays and some extended 4 on 4 action.   Mixed in for good measure were goals from Acker (assists to Stadheim and Tengdin) and Goff (assists to Stadheim and Dodge).

When the 2nd period was all over, the Marauders led 3-0 and seemed to have the game comfortably in hand.  Despite all the penalties, Hanover had only allowed 7 shots in the first two periods, and Loud had comfortably turned them all away.

At 11:24 of the 3rd period, Hanover was awarded a penalty shot at just about the same time that Gronk was recovering the onsides kick in Foxboro, and both games seemed over.  Stadheim's penalty shot attempt was denied, and Londonderry had a little life.  Finally, the parade to the penalty box caught up with the Marauders, and on their 7th power play of the night, Londonderry finally snuck a screened shot from the point past Loud to get on the board.  With 49 seconds to go, and an extra attacker on the ice, the Lancers somehow poked another puck out of Loud's grasp and into the net after an extended scrum in the crease.  But, there was no third goal to come, and the final seconds ticked off with Hanover holding on for the 3-2 victory.

Next up for the Marauders is a mid-week home tilt with league leading Concord on Weds.  Puck drops at 5:10, and the game is sponsored by Lake Sunapee Bank.  Thanks to them and all of our sponsors for their support.

Thanks to Paul Stinson for this photo of Capt Goff celebrating his second period score with Dodge and Stadheim.  Tons more great pics from Paul at:
http://albums.phanfare.com/isolated/YQ9ZwZSk/1/7124926

Paul Stinson has posted some great pics from the Bishop Brady game to his site.  Check them out here:

Hanover vs Bishop Brady pics

Jan 9 - Hanover 1 - Bishop Brady 0

Eight wasn't exactly the magic number at Campion Rink on Saturday night, as the Marauders survived eight (yes eight!) minor penalties and held on to defeat Bishop Brady 1-0.  With the win, Hanover evens up their NHIAA Div 1 record at 2-2-1, and Brady falls to 2-3.

Once again, Hanover goaltending was the story of the game.  Loud took his turn in net, and turned away everything Bishop Brady had to offer.  He was credited with 11 saves on the evening, but was much busier than perhaps that low number indicates.

Also outstanding was the defensive corps of McCoy, Logan, Dodge, Baker and Beaver.  Collectively, the D did an excellent job of keeping the Brady attackers away from the front of the net, and limiting their chances to the less dangerous areas of the ice.  The forwards did their part in the defensive scheme, and the Marauders were a perfect 8-0 on the penalty kill, including two short stretches of 5 on 3.

At the other end of the ice, Smith provided all the offense the Marauders would need with a slapshot from between the circles with 21 seconds remaining in the first period.  The goal came on the heels of a strong shift by Lehman and Goff, leading to a long stretch of sustained offensive zone pressure.  Eventually the puck squirted to Smith with enough time and space to load and fire the cannon, and he blasted it through the traffic and into the back of the net.  Stadheim was credited with an assist on the play.

Next up is a week of exams, and then Londonderry comes to Campion next Saturday evening.  Londonderry currently sits 1/2 game ahead of us in the Div 1 standings with a record of 3-2.  In case that's not enough motivation, the players returning from last year's team might make note of the fact that the game will be played one day shy of the anniversary of last year's game at Londonderry and subsequent "trash can at center ice" late night skating lesson.