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Windham Jaguars Boys Ice Hockey '16-'17

Sat, Mar 04, 2017 04:00 PM @ Windham
Team 1 2 3 Final
Dover 0 0 1 1
Windham 1 2 1 4

Defending champ Windham rolls over Dover

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SALEM — It may have been just the first victory in what Windham hopes is a deep playoff run towards a second straight state title. But the reigning Division 2 champions certainly sent a loud and clear message to the rest of the state.

The Jaguars are ready to defend their crown.

No. 3 Windham took the lead just minutes into play and never let up, rolling past No. 6 Dover 4-1 in the Division 2 first round Saturday night at the Salem Icenter.

The victory placed the Jags two victories away from a second straight title, after winning the first in program history last winter.

“This was a great team win,” said captain Jake Aleksa. “We just needed to come out fast and keep the speed going the whole game and we did that. We moved the puck well and put the puck in the net. There is always that thought of being the defending champs, but we feel like we can take anything that’s thrown at us.”

Windham advances to the Division 2 semifinal to play the winner of No. 2 Bow and No. 10 Portsmouth/Newmarket, scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m. The time and date of the semifinal are TBA.

“It was a very good win for the guys,” said first-year Windham coach Sean Dunn. “The kids had a tough month of February, but they are motivated and had a great game. I think early on this team realized they would always get the opponent’s best game, and they have learned to rise to the occasion.”

Windham took the lead just 2:47 into play. Forward Jimmy Harootian took a pass behind the net, wrapped around and snuck the puck under the Dover goalie’s skate for a 1-0 advantage.

“Going ahead early was big because we have been starting slow too much and that can hurt us the whole game,” said Aleksa. “That goal got us going and we carried it through the game.”

Tim Anderson made it 2-0 Windham with 7:16 to go in the second. The senior assistant captain took the puck from the corner and roofed it over the Dover goalie’s left shoulder.

Just moments later, Brandon Madigan made it 3-0 Jaguars, dekeing an opponent 1-on-1 then firing a slap shot home into the top left corner.

Nolan Cunningham closed out the scoring in the third with a shorthanded score. His first shot on a breakaway was stopped, but he regained control and finished his second chance.

Windham goalie Max Daly was a rock in net, turning away 26 shots. He stood especially strong in the first period to keep the Jaguars ahead, then made a few huge saves in the third to help kill a 5-on-3 power play that lasted 1:32. The only goal he allowed came with 0:34 left in the game.

“Max has been great all year,” said Dunn. “He just collects pucks. He stops everything and covers everything. He slows the play down and dictates the pace of play. It’s huge to have a kid like that.”

That Jaguars now hope to carry the momentum into the semifinal.

“Everyone is focused and taking this seriously,” said Aleksa. “We are very confident, and we are so excited for the next round.”

Windham 4, Dover 1

Dover (10-8-1): 0 0 1 — 1

Windham (13-5-1): 1 2 1 — 4

N.H. Division 2 Quarterfinals

Goals: W — Jimmy Harootian, Tim Anderson, Brandon Madigan, Nolan Cunningham; D — Trevor Gnall

Assists: W — Anderson, Tyler Tooney 2, Phillip Tsoukalas, Alek Tunik;

Saves: W —Max Daly 26; D — Colby Stewart 22

Game Statistics:

N.H. Division 2 Quarterfinals 

Goals: W — Jimmy Harootian, Tim Anderson, Brandon Madigan, Nolan Cunningham; D — Trevor Gnall

Assists: W — Anderson, Tyler Tooney 2, Phillip Tsoukalas, Alek Tunik; 

Saves: W —Max Daly 26; D — Colby Stewart 22

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