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Rothwell posting eye-popping stats in net for Timberlane

Thursday, February, 07 By David Willis
Staff writer

In his two seasons as a full-time starter, Timberlane goalie Ryan Rothwell has notched more than his fair share of flashy saves without much of a celebration. But he can't help but boast a bit when he turns away one particular skater.

"My dad likes to fire shots on me," he said. "Every day he'll find that shot that will go in and keep shooting there until I can change my habit. It can get intense. When I stop him, I'll give it to him a little bit."

Ryan's father, Matt Rothwell, had ample opportunities to score on his son since joining the Timberlane coaching staff this season.

"It's been great," said Ryan, who is a junior. "He always went to every game and used to always talk to me between periods and give me pointers. Plus, he coached me all through youth hockey and beyond."

Matt, who played hockey at Danvers High, began coaching Ryan when he first took the ice in the Haverhill youth system. "I've been with Ryan his hole hockey career," said Matt. "I've been lucky to be involved the whole way."

Ryan spent three years in the Haverhill system before spending three years in the Junior Lock Monsters youth program.

Since taking over as Timberlane's full-time goaltender last year, Ryan has become one of the top netminders in the area. After starting five games as a freshman, Rothwell, who lives in Atkinson, started all but one game last season and went 12-7-1 for the Division 2 semifinalist Owls.

He has bettered that this season. Again starting all but one game, Rothwell has led the Owls to an 11-3-1 record (11-1-1 in league) and the top spot in Division 2. Spaulding is also 11-1-1, but Timberlane owns the tiebreaker due to their victory over the Red Raiders.

"He's been just great for us," said Owls leading scorer Nick Bundzinski. "We rely on him a lot. We know that we can always count on him when the puck is in our zone. He's always going to make the big save."

He has recorded three shutouts and sports a stellar 1.71 goals-against average. He has been even better over Timberlane's nine-game unbeaten streak, with a 0.56 GAA with three shutouts.

"The season's been going great," said Rothwell, who did not begin playing goalie until age 10. "If I see the puck, I should be able to make the save. My job is to stop the puck. I try not to overthink it."

Since Ryan has joined the Owls, his father has remained involved.

"I've coached the Timberlane fall hockey team the last two years," said Matt. "And this season (Timberlane head coach) Andrew Merrick asked me if I would help out with the team. I have a good grasp on the kids' talents and personalities since I have worked with them before."

His contributions are appreciated.

"He's a really good guy," said Bundzinski. "I work with him a lot in practice and he's been very helpful at working with me on shooting and going to the net."

Matt spends most of his time with the forwards, leaving his son to work with Merrick. That helps keep the peace.

"You get the normal father-son attitude," said Matt. "I can focus on the forwards and be on the other end of the ice."

But he always enjoys the opportunities to test his son.

"I try to work him short side or whatever he is leaving exposed," he said. "In the past, I could find things. But this year I think he has become a better positional goalie and he isn't giving up much. I find it very hard to score on him."