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Area icemen battle hard at Conway Arena tourney

Both area boys ice hockey teams found the skating tough over the holiday week at the Conway Arena Tournament.

Nashua North-Souhegan was 0-1-1 in the event, while Alvirne-Milford was 0-2.

Here’s a look at the action.

KEENE 3,

NORTH-SOUHEGAN 3

Blackbirds coach Chris McIntosh while glad to have reached the title game, wasn’t happy to lose one of his better players, forward Zach Mooers, to injury while his team blew leads of 2-0 (first half) and 3-2 (late).

“I certainly wished we were entering (the finals) in a different fashion,” he said. “These types of games are frustrating for a lot of different reasons. … We had so many opportunities, and we’re letting teams hang around. Credit to (North-Souhegan), they hung in there until the end.”

The Saber-Titans were happy, as while they went 0-for-4 on the power play in the second half, they got a game-tying goal from Will Dodge at 15:46 of the second half, assisted by Pete Lennox and Jack Belter. Belter had a goal to go with two assists, as he and Lennox scored in the first half to knot the game at 2-2.

Keene, which got first half goals from Ben Brown and Jerred Tattersal for a 2-0 lead, took a 3-2 advantage at 7:45 of the second half on Brown’s second goal, assisted by Mooers.

“We don’t pack it in, we’ll fight to the end,” North-Souhegan coach Matt Osgood said. “Keene’s a great team, they’re probably better than most teams we’re going to play during the year. … We’re a pretty resilient bunch.”

However, the Saber-Titans got hit with injuries too, among them key playes Josh Constant and Jordan Joyal. North-Souhegan goalie Colin Duckless had 33 saves while Keene’s Jacob Russell had 20, including a few in a frantic finish with North-Souhegan on the power play.

NASHUA SOUTH-PELHAM 3,

ALVIRNE-MILFORD 1

The Kings – who may have made the finals had North-Souhegan beaten Keene thanks to tiebreakers – were in control, despite not a huge lead, throughout, getting two goals by Nolan Foss (one at 10:50 of the first half) and a goal and an assist by Chris Skelley for a 3-0 lead late. Sean Connors and goalie Nate Serrentino also had assists.

But the game details took a back seat to a late charging major/game misconduct to Kings forward Johnny Pinksten, who may or may not miss further time (possibly two to four games, although not

confirmed).

Alvirne-Milford took advantage with a late power play goal by Corey Girouard.

“It’s a wrong call,” Connors said. “One hundred percent wrong. … If you’re skating in the same direction, and I hit you, that’s not a charge, that’s me back

checking.

“But it is what it is. (Alvirne-Milford) played a good game. It’s hockey. I’m just frustrated. … That (losing Pinksten) would be a huge loss.”

“I do agree with the rule, it’s a new (charging) rule this year,” Alvirne-Milford coach Dave Thibeault said, his rebuilding team with a much better showing on Day Two. “I was happy to see that call made, the game was getting a little out of line.”

MERRIMACK 3,

NORTH-SOUHEGAN 0

The Tomahawks got great play out of their top players. Zach Stimeling scored unassisted at 13:42 of the first half, and with three seconds left in the half the Tomahawks’ Kyle Dunn scored, assisted by Dylan Sadowski, to give Merrimack a 2-0 lead.

That seemed to put the Saber-Titans in a funk, as Merrimack dominated the first six minutes or so of the second half and got a huge power play goal by Joe Pillsbury, assisted by Andrew Frothingham. Stimeling was also credited with an assist.

“We didn’t stick to the systems,” Saber-Titans coach Matt Osgood said. “They know what to do, we didn’t execute today.”

It made life tough for North-Souhegan goalie Colin Duckless, who had 30 stops. But Merrimack’s Ben Hardy was also big, with 26 saves of his own as the Saber-Titans got their second wind the later part of the second half.

“I’m looking for more of the same out of my team,” Belliveau said of today’s meeting vs. the Warriors.

HB-DERRYFIELD 8,

ALVIRNE-MILFORD 1

The Warriors led 3-0 after one 20-minute half and then the rout was on. They got two goals and two assists from Paul Vachon, two goals and an assist by Sal Vella, and single goals by Michael McLaughlin, Torin White, Cole Giersch and Colin MacDonald.

Tyler Lautieri had two assists while goalie Chris Slater had an easy day with 22 stops. Alvirne-Milford’s lone goal came from Matt Ryan, while Admirals goalie Brayden King had 24 stops.

But more importantly, the Warriors were the only team on the day with zero penalty minutes, giving them a good tiebreaker advantage if necessary.

“We talked about that before the game,” Sanborn said.

And his team also was 2-0 in the regular season.

“We are off to a good start,” Sanborn said. “We’re well rounded with upper classmen and some good freshmen. It’s an optimistic group. We’re just having a little fun.”