Wednesday night’s back-to-back-to-back slate of local high school hockey action at Everett Arena was a glimpse into the current state of multiple teams that call the rink home.
Bishop Brady-Trinity-Bow came away with the biggest win of the night and beat Concord’s girls’ team, 10-2, in what initially appeared to be a closer contest.
The Falcons boys’ team fell to Berlin-Gorham in a difficult upset, 5-2.
The Concord boys’ team continued its undefeated streak with a 2-0 win over Manchester. The team still has some questions looming over its head that will need answering before the postseason.
Girls:
Brinity-Bow bounced back from a two-game skid and stunned the Concord Crimson Tide in Everett Arena, 10-2.
The Brinity Falcons scored early, three minutes in, with a shot by senior captain Ali Pelletier, assisted by senior Audrey Starr and junior Kaylee Jacques. The team scored shortly after with a long shot by freshman Olivia Roy on the left side near the neutral zone.
“We’ve been talking about sticking to our plan, trusting the process,” Coach Aaron House said.
After that, the team did not let the lead slip. Pelletier ended the night with two goals and two assists and Roy with two goals and an assist.
Bow junior Vera Virta scored two, freshman Chloe Nowakowski scored one and assisted two, Jacques scored two and assisted three and freshman Ainsley Herrick assisted three.
“The last two losses we really thought about how we played and we came back as a team and battled hard,” Roy said after the game.
In the second period, Concord finally responded with two goals but also allowed two. Within the span of three and a half minutes, the two teams traded goals.
Concord forward Brooke Nelson managed to battle through an injury that she reaggravated in the first period to score the Tide’s first goal and assist Elliana Wing for the second goal.
The Tide fell to 5-4 on the season with the loss, and Nelson, the team’s points leader this season, would be a significant loss for the team, which hopes to return to the playoffs.
“I think we need to play a team game and work together,” Nelson said after the game, hopeful that the team can turn the season around.
Head Coach Kate Billings believes the team can do it. Her team played with energy down the stretch, even without Nelson on the ice. Elliana Wing and senior Hailey Pinette led the charge despite the adverse score and lead the team through the end.
Working on positioning is the priority for this team as they face a tough three-game stretch against Exeter, Berlin-Gorham-Kennett and division leaders Oyster River-Portsmouth.
Concord junior forward Brooke Nelson celebrated scoring Concord’s first goal in the second period. Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip 
Brinity-Bow freshman Aubree Reynolds fires a shot on target against Concord in Everett Arena. Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip 
Brinity-Bow freshman Olivia Roy celebrates scoring her second goal in style against Concord. Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip
Boys:
Game 1: Berlin-Gorham 5, Bow 2
Key athletes: Bow – Jacob St. Pierre (goal), Brad Ekstrom (goal), Parker Kazanowski (assist), Colby Cloutier (assist), Travis Ingalls (27 saves). Berlin-Gorham – Hudson Goulet (goal, two assists), Evan Hill (goal, three assists), Boyd Poulin (goal, assist)
The Division III Berlin-Gorham team traveled well down to Everett Arena and managed to upset Bow. After the loss, Bow fell further in the Division I standings with a 1-7-0 record.
The Falcons have three one-goal losses on their schedule, and are capable of keeping up offensively if they limit turnovers in the neutral zone.
“The story of our season is the other team makes us pay for our mistakes, and we don’t make them pay,” Bow Head Coach Tim Walsh said.
He added that the team needs to work on their mental focus on offense to do the little things right. Finishing, patience and positioning around the net will be key.
Next game: Bow at Oyster River-Portsmouth, 7:00 p.m on Monday, Jan. 19.
Game 2: Concord 2, Manchester 0
Key athletes: Concord – Chad LaRiviere (goal, assist), Nolan Walsh (goal, assist), Rhys Craigue (assist), Luukas Mayer (10 saves). Manchester – Cameron Roberge (32 saves)
Concord struggled to find the better part through the first 20 minutes of the game. Slow starts have haunted the team, but they remain undefeated at 10-0-0 in all competitions this season.
Concord has not blown teams out of the rink quite yet, and despite leading the division, they must continue growing into a dominant team that can put teams away earlier.
It may sound nitpicky, but the team has high expectations, from its coaching staff, inside the locker room and from its supporters.
LaRiviere’s goal, assisted by Walsh, was well-finished and broke the deadlock with 1:42 remaining in the second period. Walsh scored the second goal halfway through the third after a rebound by the goalie.
“Just play hard, play fast, get pucks on net, don’t change our systems,” LaRiviere said confidently on how the team can continue winning.
Head Coach Dunc Walsh was not elated by what he saw on the ice against Manchester. He wants his team to keep it simple, stay out of their zone and limit turnovers.
“It was just one of those frustrating games where we don’t score, puck’s in their end and we let them hang around,” he said.
Senior Brayden Beauregard and freshman Reece Mounsey have held down the defense’s first line and have limited shots so far this season. Beauregard said they are far from perfect. They practice hard and try to emulate that in-game.
“Pick up the intensity, coming out in the first period slow doesn’t help us,” Beaureagard said.
Next game: Bishop Guertin at Concord, 5:30 p.m on Saturday, Jan. 17.
Sophomore forward Nolan Walsh (9) looks to shoot against Manchester goalie Cameron Roberge. Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip 
Concord sophomore forward Rhys Craigue (3) pokes the puck from Manchester senior defenseman Max Valacanas. Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip 
Concord senior captain Tyler Morin rounds the corner looking to make a play on goal. Credit: CHIP GRIFFIN / Photos by Chip