November 25: Flames 2 @ Concord 2

Flames comeback to earn a point in GSL Standings

Sunday afternoon the Flames traveled to Concord, NH to play a Granite State Hockey League game vs. the Concord Capitals. Just two weeks ago, the Flames blew a 3rd period lead on home ice in a 3-2 loss to the Capitals, after playing an otherwise solid game. Yesterday things looked like another loss might be in store for the visiting Flames. Not so fast. The Flames bounced back and earned a point in the GSL Standings, the result of a 2-2 tie.

Let me start from the beginning. That would be the 1st period, where, despite being short-handed for 6 of the 12 minutes in the period, the Flames out shot the Capitals 5-3 and had the better of the scoring chances. The first period ended scoreless, 0-0.

The 2nd period stayed largely the same as the opening stanza. The Flames took a penalty, killed it off, got good shots, and good scoring chances. But, like we see so often in sports, when teams tempt fate by playing in a manner that defies the book of how-to, and so too, the Flames started to pay for their individual driven, penalty marred style of play. Concord scored their first goal on a nice rebound goal of an even better initial save made by Keenan Alnahas. 5:16 later, the Capitals took a 2-0 lead and there were only 14-plus minutes left in the contest. Before the 2nd period ended, the Flames were able to cut the lead from 2 to a single goal. Sean Moore scored a hard-working, lunch pail carrying type of goal that was set up by Sam Hebert and Zach Bayer. The period ended with the Flames trailing 2-1.

In the 3rd period Concord, who is already a solid team defense unit, clamped down their end and as much of the neutral zone as they good, in hopes of hanging on to their 2-1 lead for 12 more minutes. The Capital all but disappeared, and maybe would not have surfaced again, were it not for additional penalties handed to the Flames in the final two minutes of play. I’m getting ahead of myself though, lest I forget the Flames game-tying goal. Zach Bayer struck for a goal, it was set up by Jackson Puzzo and Patrick Goren, and the game was tied 2-2 with 2:29 left. The Flames took penalties with 1:47 left, and with 0:39 left, allowing Concord a brief 5-on-3 power play chance. The defense held, as did, Anders Lindberg in goal, and the Flames came away with a point in the standings, earning a 2-2 tie. For the game, the Flames out shot their opponent 19-12 and really carried the offensive pressure. I did hear the coaching staff vocalizing a recurring thought through the game, and that was, “Pass the puck!!!!” I am sure that thought may come up in practice this week.

On tap:

Saturday, December 1st, 7:20pm: @ Ristuccia Arena vs. Shamrocks (Wilmington, MA)

Sunday, December 2nd, 11:30am: @ Notre Dame Arena vs. Berlin (Berlin, NH)

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November 3: @ Flames 2 Raiders 3

Close call assists Raiders to 3-2 win

Saturday afternoon the Flames hosted the North Shore Raiders at West Side Arena for a 2:30 pm tilt. The Flames played well for extended periods of time, but lost 3-2, giving up goals when their play broke down.

In the first period the play was fairly even, with maybe, a small edge going to the Raiders. The Flames did get 9 shots on goal to the 8 shots taken by the Raiders, but the visitors won the period 2-0. Both Raider goals came on defensive breakdowns while the Raiders held the puck in their offensive end. The two goals were similar in execution. The puck was worked from the left-wing side of the ice with passes that found wide open players in the slot out in front of Flames goaltender, Anders Lindberg. On the first goal, Lindberg made the initial, point-blank save, but an uncovered Raider was there to put the rebound home. The second goal was of the tic-tac-goal variety. Both goals were nice hockey plays with the common denominator being the wide open player in the slot.

The second period was a case of pure domination by the Flames. They not only won the period 2-0, but they also carried play and outshot the Raiders 14-4. Sam Hebert scored both goals, the first being an unassisted rush finished with a slick move in tight to beat the goaltender. The second goal, also scored by Hebert, was a solid hard-working players goal. Zachary Bayer and Sean Moore worked the puck form one to another, getting a good shot on net. The shot was stopped initially, then Hebert jumped on the loose puck and tied the game at two apiece with the rebound goal. Flames shots continued, yet none would find the back of the net.

Then with just 2.5 seconds left in the period the Flames momentum would be lost. With the Raiders attempting to rush the puck up ice, Flames defenseman, Jackson Puzzo made a strong stick check on the Raider player, freeing the puck. The Raider forward went sliding on his knees as his path had been cut off. At the same time Sam Hebert was skating hard in his back checking role. Hebert skated past the fallen forward to retrieve the puck. Immediately the referee’s arm went up and the whistle blew. The call was signaled for checking on Hebert. The call was made, the visual proof was scarce, and the explanation was excusatory. Either way, the Flames started the 3rd period short-handed.

With just 10 seconds left on the Hebert penalty to open the period, the Raiders scored, taking a 3-2 lead. For the next 8 or 9 minutes of play neither team played well. Both teams had lost any flow they had earlier and the play was choppy at best, which favored the team holding the lead. Then in the last 4+ minutes the Flames reappeared. They reeled off six shots on goal in the last four minutes and carried the play. With 59.3 seconds to play, the Raiders were called for a cross checking penalty while the Flames were swarming the opponents net. On the power play, the Flames pulled Lindberg in favor of an extra attacker. The Flames mustered an offensive attack but were unable to tie the score. Final, Raiders 3; Flames 2.

The Flames will need to bounce back quickly as they play two road games on Sunday. First, they travel to Phillips Exeter Academy for a game vs. NH East. Then they play a late afternoon game at Hallenborg Arena vs. the Bulldogs White team.

November 11: Flames 7 @ Stars 3

Slow start, down 2-0; Strong finish, 7-3 win

The Flames quickly found themselves behind 2-0 just 7 minutes into the game. This may have been the result of back-to-back early morning (8am scrimmage yesterday) games, or maybe the team’s attendance at MRYHA Night at the Verizon Wireless Arena last night. Either way, the Stars led 2-0 early, and were carrying the play. As the period wore on, the Flames started heating up and the scoring chances opened up. First, on a clean face off win, Patrick Goren fed Sean Moore in the slot and he one-timed a shot just inside of the far post to get the Flames on the board. A few minutes later, Brendan Courtney pushed a nice pass from his defensive position up to Sam Hebert who skated up the left-wing, cut back to the net and scored a nifty goal to tie the game at 2-2. The period ended with a 2-2 score and the Flames earning a slim 7-6 edge in shots on goal.

The second period started with the Flames and Sam Hebert getting a goal in the opening 22 seconds to take a 3-2 lead. Over the next several minutes the tide turned and the NE Stars starting winning loose pucks, keeping the puck in the offensive end, and getting people in front of the net. This led to the Stars’ scoring the tying goal, and then going on successive power plays. Finally, after killing three straight minutes of penalties, the Flames started engulfing the offensive end of the ice with waves of scoring chances. Just as a Flame penalty expired, Sam Hebert struck again with an even-strength goal. It was his 3rd of the game, and the eventual game winner. Shortly thereafter, Hebert scored again on an easy put-back goal after great passing and offensive presence from Ryan Douthart and Brendan Courtney. The period ended with the Flames in front 5-3 and the momentum squarely with the visiting team.

The 3rd period saw the Flames really open up their passing game, which led to 10 shots on goal and 2 more goals. Ryan Douthart figured in both goals during the period, as did Wil and Sam Hebert. Not on the score sheet, but certainly present with strong skating, hustle, back checking, and positioning was Kyle O’Flaherty. The first goal of the period was scored by Sam Hebert, but was really created by Douthart and Wil Hebert. The final goal was scored when Douthart was rewarded for a strong game and a real nice hockey play, assisted by Wil and Sam Hebert. Keenan Alnahas and Anders Lindberg combined to make 17 saves on 20 shots they faced, with Alnahas earning the win in net.

The Flames return to action this afternoon when they host the Concord Capitals at 12:50pm in the West Side Arena. Thank again for bearing with us through these last few months. Please enjoy the rest of the season and find fun in everything you do.

 

Thanks #26 (Music)

I am thankful for music. I find enjoyment in the beautiful sounds of music. I am constantly impressed by artists’ abilities to write meaningful lyrics and the notes that accompany their delivery. I love the sound of powerful, beautiful voices singing with passion and conviction. Music can help to motivate. Music can also be a place to lose ones self while the mind wanders or even ponders anything and everything. Music can help to soothe. I believe it was Dick Clark who said that “music is the soundtrack of our lives”, and it’s laughably true, as every one of us can place ourselves at times and places throughout our lives merely by hearing a song that takes us back. I’m thankful for music and I enjoy music often.