By Marc Thaler
Staff Writer

BOARD MEETING – With nine minutes left in the first period of Goffstown’s Division II ice hockey opener against Winnacunnet of Hampton, senior forward Chad MacDonald introduces his Warriors counterpart to the wall. The Grizzlies won in impressive fashion, 6-0, and have been victorious in two of their first three matches. (Marc Thaler Photo)

GOFFSTOWN – In its first three games of the 2004-05 Division II hockey season, Goffstown High School posted a pair of solid wins. But speaking with head coach Peter Bedford following the holiday break, the Grizzlies’ first loss could prove more important to the team’s development than its pair of early victories.

“We’re coming together as a team, but as a coach you can never be satisfied,” Bedford said. “I’m happy with our progress. When we play disciplined and skate hard, we’re not gonna be outclassed at all.”

After dismantling Winna-cunnet of Hampton, 6-0, in their season opener at St. Anselm College’s Sullivan Arena on Dec. 16, the Grizzlies traveled to unbeaten Keene two days later and lost, 4-0.

The game was essentially lost in the first six minutes, Bedford said, as GHS played hesitant hockey and surrendered three quick scores. The Grizzlies allowed the Blackbirds, a “good-sized hockey team,” according to the GHS coach, to immediately use those bigger bodies to build a quick, comfortable cushion.

“Once we realized we could play with them, unfortunately, it was too late,” said Bedford, whose club competed in a 1-0 contest for the remaining 39 minutes. “That was a huge lesson learned. Night in and night out, we can’t be intimidated. The ability is there. If they continue to trust the system, we will be in every game.”

Goffstown rebounded nicely in its third test of the season at Timberlane on Dec. 23. GHS won, 5-2, but the final score was deceiving.

The locals trailed, 2-1, late in the third period, but battled to knot the score. With just 3:30 left in regulation, the Grizzlies grabbed the lead, then cemented the win with two open-net goals.

“Between the second and third period, I told them they can’t sit around, they can’t wait,” Bedford said. “They had the choice to either be a contender or pretender. I challenged them and asked who was gonna get it done.

“That’s what builds the team,” he added. “Once you know you can do something tough, anything is possible.”

The head coach also praised his veteran players for fostering an environment that makes the younger contributors comfortable. Co-captains Chad Gamache and Josh Chagnon, along with assistant captain Scott Bellerose, lead a senior class playing an important role in shaping the future of the GHS hockey program.

Bedford said his players’ positive attitudes have already paid instant dividends. The Grizzlies have a “red-shirt squad” of young athletes who aren’t on the official team roster, but practice with the team in hopes of building for seasons to come.

Although liability issues prevent the group from traveling to road games on the team bus, the group makes the out-of-town trips to support the team.

They also attend the team pasta meals on the nights before games – a sign they’re encouraged to be part of the team off the ice.

In addition to the captains, the Grizzlies include seniors Aaron Blouin, Chad MacDonald and Nate Roy; juniors Jonathan Berube, Joey Frechette, Josh Hart, Bryan Kilmer, Charlie Lee and Evan Turcotte; sophomores Nick Blanchette, Travis Boyce, Zach LeClerc and Joey Lemire; and freshmen Steve Case, Nick Chagnon, Nate Chaput, Matt Gifford and Scott Turgeon.

Assistant coaches include Patrick Kelliher, David Shea and Paul Vanasse, along with managers Katie Granquist, Jocelyn Hunter, Patrick Kenney and Katie Wozniak.

Bedford said his team’s upcoming string of games will be critical to better understanding what GHS can and can’t do as the Grizzlies compete for a postseason berth.

GHS was scheduled to host unbeaten Spaulding of Rochester on Wednesday, Jan. 5, followed by January contests with Merrimack, Lebanon, Kingswood, Dover and two games against Alvirne.

“We’re gonna be a competitive team,” Bedford said. “The Dovers and the Spauldings –they’re the class of the league. Then there’s another block of teams – the Alvirnes and Timberlanes. In order for us to stand out, quite frankly, we’re gonna have to out-skate those teams (in that second tier).”