BOYS VARsiTY

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.