Berwick vs. North Yarmouth Academy

Saturday marked the first win of the season for the Berwick Academy JV Boys Hockey team, 4-3 over North Yarmouth Academy.

With a home crowd to play for, the Bulldogs left the first period tied 0-0, a barrage of penalty calls hindering their offensive threat in the first 18 minutes. Jack Craig (assists Woodward, Mullaney) started the scoring off the opening face-off of the second period as Berwick got the puck in deep to the NYA zone, scrambled in front of the net, and Craig beat the goalie low. Blue-liner Cody Jackson added a goal shortly after to make it 2-0. Jackson recorded Berwick’s first goal from the point as he fired home a slap shot off the near side post as Kyle Mullaney screened the front of the net. NYA answered on a power-play to cut the lead to 2-1. Berwick, still finding their team penalized much of the period, responded with a short handed goal from Jake Woodward. Mullaney was responsible for stripping the puck from an NYA player, carrying it into the offensive zone for a 2 on 1, showing great patience, and making a seamless pass to Woodward who deeked left then right to beat the NYA goalie.

Berwick entered the third period leading 3-1 but lost their focus twice, allowing NYA to tie the game up at 3-3. The goal that evened the score came with less than 3 minutes to play and Berwick felt the pressure mounting. During a time out, Kyle Mullaney, Bill Leach, Jordan Sanford, Pat Nichols, Owen LaBrie, and Tyler Webster each revitalized the team’s focus and determination. They got their team back on the same page and with one thought in mind: retaking the lead and winning the game. In the first minute of sudden-death overtime the Bulldogs first line followed the plan. They got the puck in deep, crashed the net, and Mullaney forced home a game-winner after a pile-up in the low slot.

Berwick’s had many highlights to this game and efforts to be proud of. The impeccable penalty killing of special teams was part of their success. BA turned away three 2 man advantages for NYA and a slew of 1 man advantages. Sam Hereford also played outstanding between the pipes and held off a solid NYA offense. On the offensive end for BA, the Bulldogs found accomplishment in their ability to put shots on net, crash the net, and receive scoring from both defensive and offensive players. BA also showed team spirit in its ability to tighten up its efforts going into overtime, making it their priority to regain control of the play and score of the game.

Nonetheless, BA will continue to work on its ability to come out firing early and to play a full game. BA allowed NYA to tie the game up due to lack in discipline in the closing minutes of the game and unnecessary penalties throughout the game. Our goal will be to compete every game, all game.