January 7, 2008

Eastern Hockey Junior Showcase January 4-6, 2008

 The New Hampshire Junior Monarchs returned from break with a busy schedule that had them competing in two EJHL games against the Syracuse Stars as well as two exhibition games versus AJHL opponents. This inaugural showcase was well attended by fans and more importantly college recruiters.

Monarchs vs. Express AJHL
 The weekend began with the Monarchs facing off against the Walpole Express of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League. It took the favored Monarchs a good ten minutes to find there legs and Walpole came out strong with obliviously something to prove. Monarchs forward Greg Burke (UNH 09) opened the scoring less than ten minutes into the game with Brian Flynn picking up the lone assist. Jeff Hannan would add to the lead scoring less than three minutes later, on a nice feed from Yuri Bouharevich. Walpole got on the board with just over two minutes remaining to close the gap to within one. The second half began with Graham Sisson finding the back of the net just over a minute into the second half with Rence Coassin (Harvard 08) and Bouharevich assisting. Sisson’s goal would prove to be the last goal scored as New Hampshire cruised to victory, dominating possession time throughout the second half.

Monarchs vs. Syracuse Strars

  Syracuse sits atop of the Northern Division. New Hampshire is just a few points behind. This two game series had all the makings of a classic battle between two strong clubs, and did not disappoint. Friday’s game began with the Monarchs jumping out to an early lead on a Brian Flynn goal assisted by Monarch captain Owen Carpino. Despite dramatically out shooting Syracuse in the first half, the Monarchs could not solve Stars net-minder Chris Noonan.
 Just 9 seconds into the second half Yuri Bouharevich gave New Hampshire a two goal lead, that would hold up for the next five minutes until Syracuse would finally get one by Monarch goalie James Mello. Syracuse would strike again a short time later to even the score at two apiece. Jeff Velleca would again put the Monarchs on top with his goal. Brian Flynn would assist on the play. Syracuse would once again answer back five minutes later and tie the score with just fewer than ten minutes to play in the game. New Hampshire pressed hard to get one by Noonan, but he was up to the task. It was clear to all that it was probably going to take OT to decide this game. Two minutes into the OT period Syracuse forward Lassik lofted a soft shot at Mello that somehow eluded him and sent his team to the ice with the over time win.

The next afternoon began like the previous, with New Hampshire out of the gate early, applying constant pressure and peppering Syracuse netminder Noonan. Juri Bouharevich solved him just 1:21 into the game on a nice feed from Graham Sisson and Rence Coassin. Twelve minutes later it was Bouharevich again continuing his torrid scoring pace. Sisson and Coassin would pick up assists again on this goal. This trio gave the Stars defenseman fits from the opening draw, applying great pressure, cycling the puck and creating numerous grade A scoring chances. Three minutes after his second goal Bouharevich lit the lamp again scoring his first EJHL hat trick. Sisson and Coassin would have their hands in this one as well. It was not until the 22 minute that the Stars slipped one past Monarch tender Justin Gates (Providence 08) who turned aside plenty of quality shots early on. The Monarchs took that 3-1 lead into the locker room at the half, clearly confident that the game would be theirs.
 Seven minutes into the final stanza Rence Coassin scored one of his own with Kaiser and Ketchum assisting to give New Hampshire a very comfortable lead with under twenty to play. It was clear that there would be no Syracuse comeback this afternoon. Jeff Velleca would add an insurance goal to round out the scoring and give the Monarchs a much needed, much deserved win.

Monarchs vs. New Jersey Rockets(AJHL)

The final game of the showcase featured another EJHL, AJHL match up. This time it would be the New Jersey Rockets taking on the Monarchs. This game started ironically much the same as the Express game did two days prior, with the Rockets coming out flying and the Monarchs seeming uninterested. The Rockets got on the board first scoring at the thirteen minute mark of the first half. The Rocket goal awoke the New Hampshire squad. New Hampshire responded with two quick goals from Lance Herrington and Greg Burke just minutes apart. The rest of the period was all Monarchs as they dictated play in the offensive zone and created space with their physical play.
 The second half began with Greg Burke scoring to extend the Monarch lead to two. From that pony on the Monarchs once again looked disinterested, taking foolish penalties and turning the puck over in the danger zones. New Jersey would capitalize in New Hampshire’s lackluster play scoring with ten minutes left to bring them within one. New Jersey would even things up on the power play and the game would end without overtime.

Weekend Star Performers

Yuri Bouharevich    4 goals, 2 assists = 6pts
Rence Coassin         1 goal, 4 assists   = 5pts
Graham Sisson         1 goal, 4 assists = 5pts
Greg Burke              2 goals, 2 assists = 4 pts
Jeff Velleca             2 goals, 1 assist = 3pts
Justin Gates   Solid goaltending all weekend long !!!