16 The Times Argus Winter Sports Guide 2017-2018
Boys Hockey Preview
SPAULDING
After graduating standouts Denver Heath and Brad Romeo last fall , the Spaulding boys hockey team will have a steep hill to climb to get back to Gutterson Fieldhouse this winter .
But if Saturday ’ s season-opening 4-1 win over Rutland was any indication things to come , the Crimson Tide certainly have a shot .
Last season Spaulding held the best regular-season record in Division I and lost in the state championship game to BFA-St . Albans . And now hopes are running high around the Barre area that the Tide could make another run at a title .
Spaulding will be led offensively by juniors Tyler Murray and Evan Parent . Murray recorded a hat trick in Saturday ’ s win over the Raiders . Seniors Patrick Brock and Matteo Perantoni will anchor Tide defensively .
“ We had a lot of success last season ( but ) lost a lot of good quality kids ,” first-year Tide coach Chad Burke said . “ There were six seniors who graduated . We ’ ve got a good core group coming back and we ’ ve got some young guys who are stepping in and filling a role .”
Don ’ t count on another No . 1 seed for the Tide , but look for them to be in the top tier of D-I .
HARWOOD
There is good news and bad news for Harwood fans .
Let ’ s start with the bad : The Highlanders offense isn ’ t what it was last season , and replacing top goal-scorer Eli Rivers will be a tall task .
The good news : The rest of Division II is weaker than it was last year , when the Highlanders made their first state championship appearance in 11 years .
Harwood struggled during its season-opening 3-2 loss to Missisquoi . But the Highlanders sent shock waves throughout Division II last Friday when they knocked off Mount Mansfield , 4-2 , in the first round of the Buchard Tournament . Mount Mansfield and Woodstock were early-season favorites in D-II but now the picture is not as clear .
“ We can beat anybody , but we ’ ve got to show up and play three periods ,” Harwood coach Dave Morse said . “ Everybody says it ’ s a rebuilding year . But , to be honest , the league ’ s a little weak this year . There are three really good teams and everybody else is
fighting for third , fourth and fifth . I think we ’ re in that bunch .”
The Highlanders will rely on seniors Hunter Wimble , Colin Green and Eriks Ziedins for much of their offensive production . Junior Jacob Wells and senior Ivan Morse are the team ’ s top defensemen .
U-32
The Raiders made a statement with Saturday ’ s 3-0 victory over CVU .
U-32 , which is playing in D-I for the second consecutive year , has started the season with a pair of convincing wins to give Raiders fans reason for hope .
“ Both the games were very close — both of them were right down to the wire ,” first-year Raiders coach Shane Locke said . “ The boys are very focused and doing what they can . They ’ re working really hard .”
Locke is taking over for former U-32 coach Dave Pickel , who stepped down after 20 years with the program ( including nine as head coach ).
“ I ’ m enjoying it very much ,” Locke said . “ I ’ ve been looking forward to coaching a high school team for some time now and having ( this ) opportunity has been great . The whole U-32 family has been really nice .”
The Raiders , who were knocked out in last year ’ s D-I quarterfinals by BFA-St . Albans , are led this season by goalie Rory Hynes . The senior made 27 stops against CVU .
“ He is a solid goalie — very quick , very much into the game ,” Locke said . “ He focuses , he talks out there ( and ) he keeps them all going . He ’ s got a good head on his shoulders .”
Offensively , U-32 is led by sophomore Maxx Perry , who buried two goals against the Redhawks . Teammates Malone Bruce , Liam Robert and Luca Montore are also scoring threats . Zach Lague and Troy Bolduc are the Raiders ’ top defensemen .
NORTHFIELD
Led by four-year standout Garrett Bean , the Marauders are a potential sleeper team in Division II .
Northfield began the season with a one-goal win over defending champion North Country . Since then the Marauders have lost to Milton and Lyndon .
“ We learned a lot last year ( when ) we were pretty young ,” Northfield coach Doug MacDougall said . “ This year , ( with ) another year under our belts , I think we ’ ll do pretty good to be honest . We ’ ve played some pretty good teams at the beginning and stayed with them . The outlook ( is ) pretty good .”
Garrett Bean is expected to be the centerpiece of Northfield ’ s offense . Connor MacDougall and Robby Clark will anchor the team defensively in front of sophomore goalie Dylan Partlow .
The Marauders have not won a playoff game in three years and are hoping to make it back to Gutterson Fieldhouse for the first time since 2012 . Northfield has not won a boys hockey title since 1989 .
“ We ’ ll be a lot better by the end of the year than we are right now ,” coach MacDougall said . “ I think we ’ ll have a chance .”
— Jasper Goodman