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Timberlane primed for 2009 title run

Wednesday, March, 05 By David Willis
Staff writer

It wasn't much consolation after yesterday's loss, but it did seem to soften the blow a bit for Timberlane sniper Nick Bundzinski.

"We have a lot of our best kids coming back next season," said the forward, sporting a quality playoff beard. "We are definitely going to give this another shot next year."

The 2007-08 season was the best in the eight-year history of the Timberlane hockey program. The Owls (16-6-1) won the most games in team history, edging their previous high (14-8-1) set in 2001-02.

"We are really doing well," said coach Andrew Merrick. "We are starting to establish ourselves as a winning program. We have advanced in the tournament each of the last two years." Prior to last season, the Owls had struggled through four consecutive losing seasons. They were a combined 21-55 during that stretch, and only made the tourney once | in a year in which they were 4-11.

But Timberlane broke out last season to the tune of a 13-9-1 record, and won its first state tourney game in five years. That success carried into this season, with the Owls making their second straight trip to the Division 2 semifinals. This year, they brought approximately 500 screaming fans to the Exeter Ice Den.

But the brightest light for Timberlane is the future, with nearly every key player likely to be back next year. Of their top 10 scorers, the Owls graduate only Josh Briggs (3-10|13).

"We have a lot of very good and hardworking player in our program," said Merrick, the former Michigan Wolverine forward who is in his third year as head coach. "Now they have the experience of the state tournament."

Bundzinski tops the list of players that expect to be back in the Maroon and Black of Timberlane. The junior scored 17 goals and added 16 assists. He had two hat tricks and scored two goals and chipped in with three assists in the Owls' tourney win over Oyster River.

Sophomore forward Zach Fox erupted in the second half of the season, and finished with a team-best 18 goals to go with nine assists. Juniors Trevor DeVitto (9-14|23), Dayne Denton (9-4|13) and Nate Morrill (7-7|14) and freshman David Evans (6-2|8), who scored a goal last night, should also be potent scorers.

Timberlane also happens to return their star goalie, Ryan Rothwell, who along with Bundzinski was named All-Division 2.

"Ryan has been the backbone of our team for the last two years," said Merrick. "He has made some huge saves for us."

The junior with the trademark clown hockey mask turned in a stellar 1.48 goals-against average which was second best in New Hampshire (all divisions) this year. He added a .940 save percentage and three shutouts.

So with all that talent, the expectations will be high for next year.

"We just finished the best season in school history," said Bundzinski. "We just have to keep improving and we should be dangerous next year."