The Siberian Express

Trans-Siberian Express

It may have been extremely frigid and windy outside the Doug on Thursday night, but the action inside was hot and heavy. Blue jumped out to a very early lead and cruised to a 8-4 victory to even the NAHL Eastern Conference Final series with Green at 2 wins apiece. Blue got timely goals from Clint "Eastwood" Cassavaugh (2), Andy "BTO" Bachman (2), Tom "TC" Carroll (2), Jim "Big Cum" Commerford (1) and Joe "Joe" Farrelly with a beauty from the slot to seal the deal. Ken "Rebel without a Rebound" Dean was steady in goal preserving Blue’s big win.

Green got single goals from Chris "Brownie" Brown, Jim "Taz" Heath, Mike "Little Cum" Commerford and George "Dumpin" Chase.

In the NAHL Western Conference final Copper took a 1 game lead over Magenta with a 5-3 win.

Popped Groins & CCHL Plays Full Slate!

Re-enactment of Simpson's groin pop.

For the first time in four weeks the CCHL returned to the ice for a full slate of games. The New England weather finally cooperated as all four squads were able to lace them up this week although not all players were in attendance. Cimo's goaltender Ryan "Homer" Simpson re-aggravated a wonky groin playing against the Bruins alumni team in a charity event and has been shutdown for the remainder of the season. Simpson's status for next season has yet to be determined by team officials although many sources believe this could be career threatening. In his place will be late season call up Andrew Proulx who made a name for himself last season filling in for Cheers goaltender Mark Crowley and backstopping the Cheers squad all the way to the finals. Cimo's will be looking for a similar run from the young, but experienced net minder.

That being said when this weeks slate of games began it was a debut to forget for Proulx as BWW hammered Cimo's by a score of 20-5. Corey "Corey" Laroche scored a league wide season high nine goals in the win as Corey "The Other Corey" Cotnoir added four with Jack "The Ripper" Mullen netting a hat trick. Both squads seemed to be shorthanded with Cimo's having 7 skaters to BWW's 8 which proved to be the difference in the blowout. In Tuesday's tilt it was a different story with Windmill squeaking by Cheers by a score of 3-2. Mike "Tricky Dick" Richard potted a pair for the 'Mill with Phil "The Whistle" Lacasse netting one as well. Cheers received goals from Captain Tim "Timinator" Walsh and JP Edes while Mark Crowley made many highlight reel saves between the pipes.

               Standings
                    W      L      T      PTS
BWW         13       3       1      27
Windmill      10      7        1      21
Cimo's          6      11       0      12
Cheers         4       12      2       10

*BWW Vs Cimo's Make up game re-scheduled for Friday, March 6th 9:45pm

Scoring Leaders
Laroche       51
Richard       38
Walsh          37
Williamson   30
Faretra        22
Cotnoir        22
Arsenault     17
J. Mullen     15

NAHL Playoffs/Blue Gets First Win!

Sean "F-350" Ford

Blue jumped all over Green last night at the Doug to earn its first win of the 2015 Playoffs 9-5. Blue brought up goalie Sean “F350” Ford from the Concord PD club team and they were not disappointed in the young goalie’s performance. Ford played his angles well and got some big help from the goal pipes to hold off a late game Green surge. Blue was led by Tom "Philby" Philbrick with 3 goals, Tom "TC" Carroll with 2 and Dan "Too Late" Earley with 2 one timers at Ken "Rebel without a Rebound" Dean’s crease.

Green leads the series 2 games to 1. Game 4 next Thursday.

In other NAHL action Copper swept Clear and Magenta swept Mauve to win their Western Conference series. Next week Copper takes on Magenta in the best of three Western Final.

CCHL Battles the Elements While NAHL Rolls into Postseason

CCHL looking to offset costs by selling snow next season.

The CCHL has been battling the elements the past few weeks as last weeks games were both postponed and this week's Monday game was also pushed back. Tuesday's tilt between BWW and Windmill was played as scheduled although the Mill may have missed the memo as BWW stormed out to a 6-0 early in the contest. Windmill was able to close the gap, but ultimately feel to BWW by a 10-6 final. BWW Captain Travis "Gang Bang" Banga had a season high four goals to lead the way for BWW as Phil "Bench Minor" Lacasse and Gavin "You Betcha" Faretra each tallied a pair for the 'Mill. Cheers and Windmill will make up their previously postponed game tonight in prime time at the Doug.

In NAHL action the Alberta Clipper showed up at the “Doug” late Thursday afternoon and was mean enough to keep a large number of NAHL fans from leaving their warm homes to see game 1 of the playoffs between Blue and Green. The brave souls that did attend the game warmed up quickly as both teams lit the lamp early and often on the way to a Green 13-9 victory over Blue. Green Coach Tom "Painch" Painchaud moved his steady stay at home defenseman Jeff "Hurricane" Cain up to center the first line and the move paid instant dividends as Cain lit the lamp for 4 goals on the night. Jim "Big Cum" Commerford and Jim "Taz" Heath both added three 3 goals. Clint "Eastwood" Cassavaugh added 2 goals, but more importantly assisted on 8. Green was forced to bring up goaltender Zac “Gotcha” Guercia from the Manchester Monarchs to fill in for the ailing Ken "Rebel without a Rebound" Dean. Gerche didn’t disappoint as he made several key saves in preserving the Green lead. Blue scorers were led by Mike "Little Cum" Commerford with 3 goals and 30 shots on net, Todd "Philby" Philbrick with 3 and Andy "BTO" Bachman added 2.

In the NAHL Western playoffs Copper jumped on Clear 6-2 and Magenta slipped by Mauve 5-3.

NAHL Puck Control

Bobby Orr demonstrates the TC Puck control move

NAHL fans witnessed a very deliberately controlled game between Blue and Green in Week 14 action. Both teams demonstrated strong puck control as many plays were executed with five or six crisp, tape to tape passes. Shots on goal were at a season low and both goalies, Blue’s  Ken "Don't Ya Love Em Madly" Bradley and Green’s Ken "Rebel without a Rebound" Dean made several key saves to keep the scores down. Green prevailed by edging Blue 5-4. Green was led by Clint "Eastwood" Cassavaugh with the hat trick and Blue’s Tom "TC" Carroll  scored a pair of roofers.

In other NAHL action a pair of ties determined the NAHL Playoff matchups. Magenta and Mauve played to a 2-2 tie and Copper and Clear ended a shootout at 6-6.

The Playoffs begin next week with the following matchups.

East

Blue vs Green (Best of Seven)

West

Copper vs Clear (Best of Three)   

Magenta vs Mauve (Best of Three)

NAHL Final Regular Season Standings

Blue 6-5-2            14

Copper 6-6-1       13

Magenta 6-6-1    13

Mauve 6-6-1       13

Clear 6-6-           13

Green 5-6-2       12

NAHL Full House

Dunc "Coach" Walsh gears up for Black Ice 2015

The Doug was SRO Thursday night as fans anticipated a big game between Blue and Green as the NAHL will be on break next week for the fifth annual 1883 Black Ice Pond Hockey Championships. Green fans were delighted as Green jumped to a commanding lead in the first period.  Blue fought hard and chipped away at the lead bringing the score to 8-5 early in the third, but Green answered on the next shift.  Dunc "Coach" Walsh scored his first goal of the season for Blue as he returned from severe off season knee surgery, to bring the score to 9-6. Dave "The Younger Tilly" Tillotson scored for Green to stop the Blue comeback. The game was action packed as both teams skated up and down the ice making spectacular passing plays. Blue goalie Ken "Don't Ya Love Em Madly" Bradley and Green goalie  Ken "Rebel without a Rebound" Dean both made many key saves throughout the game. Todd "Philby" Philbrick led all scorers with 3 and Andy "BTO" Bachman scored 2 for Blue. Mike "Little Cum" Commerford and Phil "Commish" Stuart each scored 2 for Green.

In other NASL action Mauve doubled up Copper 6-3 and Clear edged Magenta 5-3 on a late open net goal.

Standings as of 1/16/15       Points Blue 6-4-2                                14 Copper 6-6-0                           12 Magenta 6-6-0                          12      Mauve 6-6-0                             12 Clear 6-6-0                               12 Green 4-6-2                              10

Best of luck at Black Ice.

See you all on the Pond

Cheers Making Noise, BWW Trounces the 'Mill

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