October 21, 2007

Monarchs Ground High Flying USA U-17’s

Hooksett, NH - The New Hampshire Junior Monarchs handed the highly skilled USA U-17’s their only loss over this past weekends BeanTown Classic, beating the young, speedy team 5-1 in front of a capacity crowd at the Exeter Ice House. It has been said by many in the hockey world that this years U-17’s are one of the most skilled teams ever assembled by the United States National Development Training Program. Team USA opened the weekend beating the Boston Junior Bruins 3-1 in an exciting fast paced match up.

Right from the drop of the puck New Hampshire seized the momentum and kept USA trapped in their end for long periods of time. The older, stronger Monarchs played with passion and patience dictating play throughout the first period. UNH recruit Greg Burke opened up the scoring, while on the power play, gathering a Rence Coassin rebound and putting it past USA’s goaltender Brandon Maxwell for the early lead.

Ansel Ivens-Anderson gave the Monarchs a two goal lead just forty seconds later coming from a nice feed from Ben Ketchum who had just stolen the puck from a USA defenseman. The Monarchs were in complete control and kept team USA at bay for most of the period. New Hampshire’s defenseman did a nice job moving the puck out of the defensive zone and limiting USA’s quality chances.

 With 2:36 to play in the first period Graham Sisson scored when Maxwell failed to clear an Adam Kaiser shot. Sisson won the one on one battle for the loose puck and buried it to give the Monarchs a commanding 3-0 lead. Just sixteen seconds later with a face off deep in the USA end. Ryan Flynn won the face off back to Jimmy Gaudet at the point who nicely fed it to a waiting Sisson at the top of the far circle. Sisson’s shot was blocked, but ended up on the stick of a receptive Flynn who made no mistake and put it away giving the Monarchs a comfortable lead after one period.

 The second period was more defensive oriented with both teams taking care of their own ends first before advancing the puck up ice. It was not until the 6:31 mark of the second that the National team got on the scoreboard. The goal came with USA on the power play and an extra attacker due to the delayed penalty. The out numbered situation proved too much for net minder James Mello and company. Steve Whitney scored on a rebound from a Ryan Bourque shot spoiling Mello’s shutout bid. With time expiring in the second, New Hampshire regained it’s four goal lead on a nicely executed goal mouth play from Flynn to Juri Bouharevich in the final seconds of the period.

The third period saw no scoring as both goalies turned aside the few shots that they faced. The final score would be the Monarchs 5 and USA 1. New Hampshire played one of it’s most complete games to date and is looking forward to keeping things going as they head to Troy N.Y. and Springfield Ma. This weekend to take on the C.D. Selects and the Springfield Falcons.