RallyNorth.net

Sat, Mar 03, 2018 06:40 PM @ Neutral Location

Team	1	2	3	Final
Pinkerton	0	1	0	2
Bishop Guertin	1	1	1	3

BG upsets Pinkerton

HOOKSETT, N.H. — Pinkerton created a few golden opportunities in the closing moments.

With their net open and the extra attacker on the ice, the Astros fired shot after shot on net, each time drawing massive cheers from the vocal Pinkerton fans as pucks looked destined for the goal.

But each Astro opportunity was turned away, and No. 6 Bishop Guertin tacked on an empty net goal in the final seconds to finish off a 3-1 upset victory over No. 3 Pinkerton in the New Hampshire Division 1 quarterfinals on Saturday.

“We didn’t deliver the performance we needed tonight,” said Astros coach Sam Littlefield. “There is always nerves going into any playoff game. We worked hard all week and had worked hard all season. But it just wasn’t enough tonight.”

Pinkerton had defeated Bishop Guertin 4-1 just 10 days earlier on Feb. 21, a game the Astros led 3-0 after one period.

But it was the Cardinals that were the aggressors on Saturday. They took the lead with 2:03 left in the first, then made it 2-0 just over two minutes into the second.

“We knew we had a tough challenge the way they beat us a few weeks ago,” said Bishop Guertin coach Gary Bishop. “They are a very physical team that has three strong lines. That is a key to success. They are such a quality program that has had a lot of success in the past. And they have a very good goalie.”

Pinkerton was able to cut into the lead with 3:15 to go in the second. Landon McClure sent a pass out towards the blue line, and defenseman Nick Plaza stepped into the puck and fired it home to make the score 2-1.

But that was the only time the Astros would be able to beat Cardinals goalie Colin Freitas (24 saves).

“It’s never good to fall behind early, but we knew we were capable of making that up because we had done it before,” said Littlefield. “But we weren’t putting the shots in the right places. We got a lot of shots, but we could always use more. The guys worked hard, but we couldn’t put it home after the one goal.”

Pinkerton star goalie Dakota Robinson once again stood out, making 26 saves. He turned in a few huge stops to keep the Astros in the game in the second and third.

“Dakota is outstanding,” said Littlefield. “He has had an outstanding season for us, and we are so happy he will be back for another outstanding season next year.”

The Astros closed out the season 16-6-0 overall and 15-4-0 in New Hampshire Division 1. Bishop Guertin (12-6-1 in Division 1) advances to play No. 2 Hanover Wednesday in the Division 1 semifinals.

“We had some chances,” said Littlefield. “But they (Bishop Guertin) played their hearts out. They played a great game and they earned the win.”

 

Bishop Guertin 3, Pinkerton 1

Bishop Guertin (12-6-1 Div. 1):     1 1 1 — 3

Pinkerton (16-6-0, 15-4-0 Div. 1):     0 1 0 — 2

NH Division 1 Quarters

Goals: P — Nick Plaza; BG — Ben Peterson, Liam Nye, Doug Barker

Assists: P — Landon McClure; BG — Ryan Flynn, Cam Fagan

Saves: P — Dakota Robinson 26; BG — Colin Freitas 24

 

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