The NHIAA Division I boys hockey playoffs will feature three local teams, Salem, Windham and Pinkerton Academy. Salem opens up with a first round game on Wednesday, while Pinkerton and Windham got skipped to the quarterfinal round and will face each other for the third time this season.
All three teams will most likely have to run through top-seed Concord in order to get to the final.
First Round
No. 9 Salem (8-9-0) vs. No. 8 Bedford (7-8-3)
Wednesday at St. Anselm, 7:30 p.m.
Key Players to Watch: Hunter Thompson (16-17-33); Logan Tautkus (14-18-32); Gavin Doughty (12-18-30); Goalie Thomas Griffin (3.20 GAA, .889 Save Pct.).
Analysis: A month ago these two teams played with Bedford prevailing 4-0. A win here and Blue Devils get top seed Concord. Salem has nothing to lose here, but scoring first, and early, could put Bedford back on its heels.
Coach Peter DiMarino: “We need to focus on defense first and offense will come. If we play well defensively and our defense core controls the play in our zone, block shots and get in lanes, we will be successful and make some noise in the tournament.”
Quarterfinal Round
No. 5 Pinkerton Academy (11-7-0) at No. 4 Windham (11-7-0)
Saturday, at Salem ICenter, 6:30 p.m.
Analysis: This will be the third meeting between the two teams, each winning a 3-1 contest. Both teams have two of the premier goalies in the state with Tanner Moody for the Astros and Roberto Robles for the Jaguars. Goals and defensive zone coverage will be at a premium.
Key Players to Watch: (Pinkerton Academy): Johnny Barbarossa (8-11-19); Gavin Burwell (8-6-14); defenseman Justin Howell; Goalie Tanner Moody (2.20 GAA, .917 Save Pct.); (Windham): Josh Trudel (22-13-35); Sam Kramer (19-14-33); Goalie Roberto Robles (2.10 GAA, .930 Save Pct).
Interim coach James Fletcher (Pinkerton Academy): “The key for us is getting pucks deep and establishing our forecheck.”
Coach Shawn Quaglietta (Windham): “Pinkerton’s a solid, well-balanced team with good goaltending. In order to have a deep tournament run, we’ll have to play our best team game. Goaltending and defense is what got us here, so that will have to remain consistent.”