2011-2012 Season Recap

Boy’s ice hockey recap

BVH – 9-12-2
Captains – Michael Doherty, Lukas Turchetta, Zachary Baharozian

At the beginning of this 2011-12 season, the Boys Varsity Hockey was confronted with the need to replace 7 seniors from last year’s 17-6-1 Eberhart Division-winning squad, as well as injured team captain Zachary Baharozian ’12. This massive roster turnover was underlined by the addition of 2 players to the varsity roster before conference play began in December. In addition, 2 other players were called up from JV over the course of the season.

The season began with a disappointing loss at perennial Founders League powerhouse Deerfield, in which Groton kept the game close for 30 minutes before fading down the stretch. Groton proceeded to split a pair of matches between Roxbury Latin and Rivers before the 38^th annual Groton/Lawrence Holiday Tournament, where Groton notched a tough win over Pomfret. The Zebras then went 2-1 over the next three games against Pingree, Brooks, and Worcester Academy before beginning the most difficult stretch of the season.

Beset by a crippling stretch of injuries – at the low point, the Zebras could only suit up 14 players during their loss at Dexter – Groton started off this gauntlet as well as could be expected, tying St. George’s 4-all at home in one of the more exciting games of the year. The team had some brief struggles in this unanticipated period of transition, dropping games against BB&N and playoff-bound Dexter and Belmont Hill. The team did, however, defeat Middlesex to avoid going winless during this stretch.

Groton quickly bounced back, notching a big 10-1 win over Roxbury Latin. By this time the injury bug was striking less and less and the team was beginning to gel. After dropping a close decision to Rivers, Groton proceeded to upset St. Mark’s School, 2 days after the death of longtime hockey coach Frank “Junie” O’Brien, in what St. Mark’s fans were calling the best St. Mark’s team in fifteen years by a score of 4-2. Groton maintained this improved level of play somewhat in another close loss at BB&N and then on Senior Day avenged its previous loss to playoff-bound Brooks.

The annual trip down to Rhode Island was a tough one as Groton lost to St. George’s in a game much like the opening loss at Deerfield. However, the season ended on a high note as Groton beat Middlesex 3-1 on their Senior Day, and then on St. Mark’s Day exchanged blows for three periods plus overtime with a playoff-bound St. Mark’s squad, eventually battling to a hard-fought 3-3 tie.

Overall, despite the roster turmoil, Groton posted a reasonably successful season. VI Former Michael Doherty and IV former Chance MacDonald received All-ISL honors.  Honorable mentions were handed out to VI former Luke Turchetta, V former Dan Glavin, and IV former Matt Pompa. In addition, many new players had breakthrough years on what was unquestionably one of the youngest and most inexperienced squads in the league, and the future is certainly looking very bright for next season in 2012-13. Outgoing seniors Michael Doherty, Luke Turchetta, Zach Baharozian, and Pat Florence wish the best for next year’s edition of Groton hockey.

Michael Doherty (Team MVP) Luke Turchetta (Coaches Award) Zach Baharozian (Coaches Award)  Pat Florence (Unsung hero award)