After playing the 2007-2008 hockey season below the
varsity level Bedford High School played its first varsity hockey game
on December 17, 2008, at Tri-Town Arena in Hooksett New Hampshire.
Freshman Mike Ahern recorded the programs first varsity goal in a 2-1
victory over the Pembroke Academy Spartans. Head Coach Matt Guerard
would see his team start the season with six wins and one tie before
sustaining the programs first defeat by a score of 6-1 to Belmont High
School on January 31, 2009. The Bulldogs momentum was only briefly
interrupted as they would win four of their next five games. February
16th began a stretch where Bedford dropped three straight games over a
five day period with the last two being in overtime. The Bulldogs then
rebounded on February 28th defeating Con-Val High School 7-2 to close
out the regular season with a first year varsity mark of 11-5-1. The
sixth seeded Bulldogs began the NHIAA division III playoffs on
Saturday, March 7th against the Somersworth Hilltoppers at Rochester Ice
Arena. A goal by Somersworth's Jaret Canney at 6:19 of the first period
staked Somersworth to a 1-0 lead which they held through a scoreless
second period. Bedford finally scored the equalizer at 7:01 of the third
period on a goal mouth scramble by Sophomore Trevor Sonovick with Doug
Steere picking up the assist. The turning point in the game came less
than a minute later when Bedford goaltender Ben Firman would deny Canney
from in tight. The Bulldogs then took the lead for good at 11:16 when
Mike Ahern backhanded a Matt Mara rebound past Somersworth goalie Kate
Peterson. Bedford sealed the game with a power play goal at 13:16 by
Scott Lafleur with Sonovick and Kyle Silva registering the assists. The
three goal flurry in a span of 6:15 provided for the final margin of 3-1
and advanced Bedford to the state semifinals at Everett Arena in
Concord. Bedford's
first varsity season ended three days later on Wednesday, March 10th,
in the state semifinals to eventual state champion Kennett High School
of North Conway. The Bulldogs roster made up of Freshmen, Sophomores,
and Juniors once again fell behind early on a goal by Kennett Junior
Griffin Meador at 4:43 of the first period. Kennett extended the lead to
4-0 before Trevor Sonovick could cut the lead to 4-1 with a power play
goal early in the third period. Bedford's momentum was short lived
though as Kennett scored three more times in a span of 1:54 advancing
them to the Division III state finals with a 7-1 victory. |
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