BULLDOGS' COMEBACK EFFORT FALLS SHORT IN OPENER

The Berwick Academy boys varsity ice hockey team hosted Kents Hill School for both teams’ season opener in Dover on Friday. With a large and much-appreciated crowd of classmates in attendance, the Bulldogs sought a 1-0 record.

 

Kents Hill notched the game’s first goal just 4:18 into the clash. However, minutes later, Berwick took advantage of a power play prompted by a slashing penalty on Kents Hill. Aided by the 5-on-4 advantage, sophomore Justin Massa found the back of the net, knotting the game at one apiece.  The Bulldogs’ defense impressed on a penalty kill during the final run of the period, protecting senior goaltender Jared Swisher and preserving the 1-1 tie.

 

Berwick stood strong through another penalty kill early in the second period. However, less than one minute after returning to full strength, they allowed a second Kents Hill goal. The 2-1 deficit would hold for the remainder of the period, including throughout a third penalty-kill situation in the waning minutes.

 

Berwick’s deficit grew early in the third period as Kents Hill notched its third goal of the game. Then, for the next 10-plus minutes, the two teams skated back and forth and exchanged blows without finding the net. Eventually, with 2:39 to play, senior Nick McSorley scored off an assist from junior Jake McGonagle. The Bulldogs pulled within 3-2 but were unable to score again before the final horn blew.

 

Although the Bulldogs were unable to come out on top, their final six minutes of action were quite impressive. The team did a good job applying pressure and aggressively trying to chip away at the two-goal deficit that existed at the time. Even when the puck was in Berwick’s defensive end, the defense worked hard to break up passes and shots. Although there were a few moments in which Kents Hill pressured Berwick, Swisher held his ground and made a series of impressive saves. When all was said and done, the Cumberland, Maine, product tallied 42 saves.

 

The Bulldogs (0-1) return to the ice against Worcester Academy (0-1) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Worcester, Mass.