Tyler Scordo scored a natural hat trick in the first period, and then the John Stark-Hopkinton boys’ hockey team held for a wild 6-3 win against Laconia-Winnisquam-Inter-Lakes on Saturday night in Henniker. It was the home opener for the two-time defending Division III champion General Hawks, who improved to 2-0-0, and it was the season opener for the visiting Wolfpack (0-1-0).
John Stark senior Brett Patnode opened the scoring before Scordo, a junior at Stark, scored his three straight goals to give JSH a 4-0 lead after the first period.
The Wolfpack cut that lead in half in a whistle-filled second period as the two teams combined for 11 penalties.
The General Hawks took the momentum back when they were they ones who took advantage of the power play. Stark senior Carter Pike scored with a man advantage for a 5-2 JSH lead early in the third period. LWIL got one back before to make it 5-3 before Stark sophomore Owen Jones sealed the win with a laser past Wolpack goalie Evan Rollins (36 saves), under the crossbar and into the back of the net.
“Roller coaster game for us and we didn’t cash in on all of our opportunities,” JSH coach Denis Kolehmainen. “The first and third periods we controlled the game down in their zone and limited their shots.”
Jordan Lamarre finished with 14 saves to earn the win in net for the General Hawks. Cooper Rivers had three assists for JSH, Ethan Molnar and Jones each had two assists, and Benny Madden and Patnode each had one assist.
Matthew Nicohols, Blake Dunlap and Hannah Max scored for the Wolfpack, and Ryan Bousquet and Andrew Spicuzza added assists.
Hanover 2, Bow 1
Key players: Hanover — Bow — Jake Mielcarz (goal), Ben Tobeler, Ethan Berrigan (31 saves), Cooper Joscelyn (strong defense), Cole Billow
Highlights: Trailing by a goal in the third period on Saturday night, Bow’s Tobeler and Dominic Jurcins got to work on the forecheck and created a scoring opportunity for Mielcarz, who buried his chance. Hanover retook the lead with just 45 second left in the game and survived a last-gast bid from Mielcarz that hit the crossbar.
Coach’s quote: “We played a very good game and the kids have come a long way in a very short time in playing our systems with discipline. We earned a lot of respect from Hanover coach Dick Dodds with how we played. We are right there and we will push and work to get better so that we win those types of games as the season goes on. I was very happy with the boys’ play tonight.” – Bow’s Tim Walsh
Records: Hanover 1-0-0; Bow 1-1-0