UPPER VALLEY HOCKEY LEAGUE

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Lumberjacks Throttle Whalers 6-0

Another season of the UVie has started 20 years after the inaugural one way back in November 2003 at Union Arena. This year’s kick off is at the Hartford rink after finally being able to move the league right into the hockey hotbed that is the Upper Valley. It has been a long time coming. I’m happy to return in my new capacity as scorekeeper after retiring from competitive hockey 9 years ago at age 43. It was great to see some old teammates and faces that I haven’t seen for almost that long. When John Turner and I co-founded the league back then we were told by many that it wouldn’t work. No one had ever had a league in this region that we the whole hockey season. Only the 60- minute run time “Mud League” existed in the scraps of ice time left over after high school hockey ended in March until Campion Rink closed its doors for the season. We had a dream… we built it… and look at it now 20 years later. There are at least 3 other leagues in the Upper Valley because we proved it could be done. Some say the highest form of flattery is imitation and I agree. My hat is off to Kelly and Will for running the league so effin’ well all these years since I stopped playing, and Kelly, my former defense partner and business partner, for even longer before I passed the torch to Will.  Here’s to another great season of the best A-level hockey between Burlington and Hookset at least!There were only 3 subs on the bench for the Lumberjacks but it didn’t matter. Three of the Usual Suspects were missing with no Zanleoni, Gattie or Hall in the lineup on opening night. I really don’t think there are any excuses, guys! WTF? Don’t you love hockey? Don’t tell me you were at home watching baseball playoffs!

Early season sloppiness was evident for both squads as expected with poor timing, missed passed and a few awkward plays, but thigs started to smooth out as the game went on. The Whale had already killed off two penalties by early in the 2nd period after being down 2-0 on goals from the Lumberjacks’ Tim Patten at 12:07 and Evan Seely at 5:23. The ‘Jacks were outshooting the Whale about 14-7 at 12:06 of the 2nd period. I saw some good puck battles and cycling behind the Whalers’ net at 11:15 and a nice rush by Jordan McGee (just like old times!) on a long pass from the defense. McGee cut across the front of the net under pressure but Tucker made a good save on the attempt. The Whalers had some sustained pressure the next play but couldn’t quite capitalize. Shots were about 19-9 @ 8:52 of the 2 nd . Ryan Frisch made a nice block on a shot by Jonas Spaulding at 6:40. A 3-on-2 led by McGee was thwarted by Tucker (no, I’m not typing your whole last name EVER) with a NOICE R pad save! Some good D by the ‘Jacks kept the Whalers off the board at 3:32. MacKenzie found the back of the net at 2:36 on a nice screen by Frisch. McGee made a nice move and pass but was hooked by Chiasson for his second penalty of the game. Harris finished the period with 10 seconds left to make it 4-0 heading into the 3 rd .

The Whalers D made a nice reach around to stop a scoring chance by McGee in tight. I think it was the long reach of Chuck Gaede who is well known in the UVie for his legendary reach-arounds. The ‘Jacks completed a nice pass across the slot for an open netter at 11:36 by Frisch from Patten and Seely as Tucker had no chance on the play. Many shots missed the net both ways during the majority of the remainder of this period. In fact, during the last 7-8 minutes there were very few SOG. It’s still early in the season and I don’t expect this to be the trend late in the game once we get to
November. MacKenze completely missed the net high blocker with 2:42 to go on a 1-on-1. You have one job! Do your job! McGee ended the game with 5 seconds left to make it 6-0 ‘Jacks over the Whale and shots were 31-20 in favor of the ‘Jacks.

There weren’t really any candidates for the LVP in this one, just some early season sloppiness by both squads. MacKenzie and McGee each finished with 3 points. One final note…the play tonight was very clean all around. It’s definitely better than the last time I played a UVHL game. Nice work, boys. Keep it up.

McDefense aka HKYDOC

 

Team:	Time:	Type:	Player:	Details:
1st PERIOD
LMJ	12:07	Goal	(PP)Patten, Tim(1)	Assist(s): Seely, Evan(1) Harris, Anderson(1)
WHL	10:44	Penalty	Gaede, Chuck(1)	2 minutes for Hooking
WHL	10:03	Penalty	Chiasson, Brandon(1)	2 minutes for Tripping
LMJ	05:23	Goal	Seely, Evan(1)	Assist(s): McGee, Jordan(1) Harris, Anderson(2)
WHL	02:01	Penalty	Chiasson, Brandon(2)	2 minutes for Hooking
2nd PERIOD
LMJ	02:36	Goal	MacKenzie, Neil(1)	Assist(s): Frisch, Ryan(1) McGee, Jordan(2)
LMJ	00:10	Goal	Harris, Anderson(1)	Assist(s): MacKenzie, Neil(1) Frisch, Ryan(2)
3rd PERIOD
LMJ	11:36	Goal	Frisch, Ryan(1)	Assist(s): Patten, Tim(1)
LMJ	00:05	Goal	McGee, Jordan(1)	Assist(s): MacKenzie, Neil(2)

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