Will Pegnam was face down on the ice after stopping another shot when he quickly scrambled to get back onto his skates and defend his net.
The Concord High senior goalie saved a frenzy of shots from a relentless Bishop Guertin offense that seemingly had the puck on their sticks throughout the entirety of the first period.
While his eyes darted in sync with the puck in front of him, Pegnam was without one of his most valuable assets: his stick. No matter: He still made saves and prevented the Cardinals from scoring at all in the Crimson Tide’s 4-0 win on Wednesday at night Everett Arena.
Pegnam (13 saves) was magnificent in his fourth start this season. Regardless of the shot selection, nothing rattled him. Combinations of glove and pad saves were his closest friends, and his stick – when in his hand – was seldom used for saves but poked the puck away from oncoming skaters.
“(This) was the toughest test I’ve been in,” Pegnam said. “BG is a really good team. They’re physical, fast, and I haven’t seen much of that this year.”
With the Tide’s netminder staving off pucks, it allowed for the ever-growing defense to showcase what it can do.
The top defensive pair of sophomore Jack Shoemaker and junior Joey Tarbell have continued to elevate their games as the season keeps trudging along. The duo was instrumental in providing a blockade for Pegnam by delivering checks, blocking shots and sending the puck up ice to fast-moving forwards.
The evolution of the Concord blueliners was something that coach Dunc Walsh was eager to see at the beginning of the season, and now that it’s halfway way through, he’s pleased with what he’s seen.
“They’ve played well as a unit,” Walsh said. “The whole team plays good defense, and they take pride (in it).”
Walsh listed off his top four defensemen – Shoemaker, Tarbell, senior A.J. Fennelly and sophomore Alex Pelletier – and specified how Shoemaker has allowed the power play to flourish like it has along with Tarbell. Pelletier, who was on the junior varsity roster last season, has given notice with his ability to skate the ice and hang around experienced hockey players.
Offensively, it took a few shifts for the Tide (8-0-0) to get going against the Cardinals. Concord was held to just one goal in the first period, with winger A.J. Dow scoring in the midst of a net-front scrum. The middle period showcased the finesse and speed with which the Tide like to play, and three goals in 15 minutes highlighted that.
Junior captain and top line center Brooks Craigue scored the first goal in the second period off a nice backhanded shot in the low slot from a pass by Tyler Coskren. Moments later, younger brother Tyler Craigue scored his second goal of the season with both of his linemates, Rowan Arndt and Donovan Hayes, picking up points on assists.
That third line, too, has developed over the course of the season. Hayes, a senior center, affectionately sandwiches between two freshmen wingers; the team has nicknamed his line “Donny and the kids,” but the kids produce game in and game out.
“They haven’t given up any goals, and they make smart plays,” Walsh said. “They aren’t very big or strong yet, but they can play. Donovan is a perfect complement to them since he’s experienced.”
Cam McGonigle capped off the scoring for the Tide on a power-play goal with about three minutes left in the second period.
Pegnam, who earned his fourth shutout of the season, was relieved when the final horn sounded and the game clock showed triple zeroes. As his teammates cleared the bench and skated toward him, he relished the win, knowing there’s still a ways to go.
“It’s a great feeling,” he said. “But we have a long season ahead of us.”
It continues on Friday with a road trip to Exeter. Puck drop is slated for 3 p.m.