DOVER, N.H. – The 90-minute bus ride did not help, nor did York’s relentless attack. But the Brunswick High girls’ hockey team finally got moving in the right direction.

The Dragons overcame a sluggish first period and two waved-off goals to beat York 1-0 Monday afternoon at Dover Ice Arena.

Ann Kelly scored on a power play 10:47 into the third period, swatting in a wraparound pass from Rachel Moroney.

In a game featuring two of the state’s best programs, Brunswick improved to 11-2-1 as it battles Greely for first place in the East standings. York (9-2-3) remained third in the West behind Falmouth and Scarborough.

York looked ready for a rout, outshooting the Dragons 15-0 in the first period.

“It was crazy,” said Brunswick junior goalie Erin Gay, who stayed solid throughout with a 28-save shutout.

Besides the 15 first-period saves, Gay stopped a breakaway by Julia Hird in the third period.

“Erin played great,” Brunswick Coach Bill Bodwell said. “She really held us in there in that first period. York has a good team.”

Indeed, the Wildcats were playing their signature dump, chase and cycle game, keeping possession and taking shots. One part of York’s game was missing, though, with leading scorer Nicci Heroux out because of a concussion.

“Not having Nicci didn’t help,” York Coach Kevin Banfield said. “I kept telling the girls we need to put one in before (Brunswick) wakes up.”

Besides Gay, the Dragons got strong aid from their defensemen, Suzannah Smith, Caroline Wild and Jennifer Machin.

Brunswick killed off both of York’s power plays in the first period. In the second period, the Dragons appeared to score a power-play goal. Moroney took a shot and then put in a rebound off goalie Olivia Drew (13 saves). But the referees ruled the net was displaced before the puck went in the net.

In the third period, Grace Rabinowitz appeared to score on a rebound, but it was also waved off because the referees ruled the puck had been secured and play was stopped.

“That was really frustrating,” Kelly said, “but it showed we can score.”

On Brunswick’s third power play, Moroney controlled the puck around the net and found Kelly at the far post.

“We’ve been working on back-door passes,” said Kelly, who reasoned her team had “bus legs” in the first period. “We had to pick it up.”

Bodwell said his team did not need to make any fixes: “I don’t think it was anything system-wise that we weren’t doing right. It was just hustle.”

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:

kthomas@pressherald.com

Twitter: KevinThomasPPH

 

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