2011 - 2012

Varsity Final Record
16 - 6 - 0

Prior Game
March 2, 2012
Danvers 0
North Andover 1

Next Game
December 2012

2011 - 2012
JV Final Record
8 - 4 - 3

February 8, 2012

FALCONS AIM FOR LUCKY 13 TONIGHT IN HOME FINALE VS. BEVERLY

Situated on the home bench at the Richard H. Rockett Arena for the final time this season, the Danvers High hockey team looks for its 11th straight victory tonight when they take on one of their biggest rivals, the Panthers from Beverly High, tonight (7 p.m.) in front of what is sure to be a packed house.

The Falcons (12-2) come into tonight's showdown looking to even the score against a Beverly team that defeated them in the second game of the season, 6-2, back on Dec. 17. After falling to Lynnfield 10 days later, the Blue-and-White haven't tasted defeat since, a span of 10 games and 43 consecutive games.

Sitting atop the Northeastern Conference North standings at 10-1 and with 20 league points, two ahead of second place Saugus, a victory tonight over Beverly is vital if Danvers hopes to capture its first NEC title since 2002. And with a winning percentage of .857, they're currently the top team in all of Division 2 North as well.

But none of that will matter to head coach Kevin Brown and his players when they drop the puck tonight. To these Falcons, putting in a complete 45-minute effort against a terrific opponent that has won five straight games of its own is the only thing they're focused on.

"Beverly's a team that always ramps up its game for us, and we always try to bring our best game for them," acknowledged Brown, whose team has scored 57 goals this winter while surrendering just 32. "I look at them and see with their record (9-5-1, 19 points) that they only need one point to get into the state tournament, so I'm sure that will be motivation for them. They had our number the first time we played, so we've got to bring a much better effort (tonight)."

Brown said his team's early season setback vs. the Panthers was indicative of a squad still trying to figure out who they were and what they were good at. They also deduced they'd have to change their style of play a bit and tighten up on special teams, where the Panthers hurt them.

"We're a much better team now," said Brown, "but I know that they are, too. So for us (tonight), we want to go out, play hard and do the things that have helped us reach this point.

"It all starts with believability in whatever system you're playing or what you're doing at a particular time. If you believe, it will work."

Danvers is coming off of a solid 4-2 win at Winthrop four nights ago, where senior goaltender turned in what Brown termed "his best performance of the season." It continued a remarkable streak that has seen the Falcons surrender two goals or fewer to eight of their last nine opponents.

Part of that is having an air tight defense (captain Nick Strangie, along with Peter Marshall, Kevin Anderson, Mike Disciullo and Shea Doyle, the latter of whom the coach praise for his recent play) and two goaltenders -- seniors Seth Kamens and Steve Wilkinson -- the team can turn to for big stops.

"It's nice to have that flexibility in net," said Brown."We're going to go with Steve tonight; it's nothing Seth did wrong, it was just our game plan from before the Winthrop game that we'd use both guys in the next two games. Steve's a big kid who takes up a lot of the net. We're confident in both guys."

Scoring balance has also keyed the Falcons' winning ways and should play a vital role again tonight. Brown said that senior center Paul D'Orlando, who anchors the third line with sophomore wingers Jay Calcagno, Kevin Hodgkins and Matt Flynn, have been outstanding; together, that quartet has combined for 11 goals and 29 points. "That's as good point-wise as you'll see a third line in our conference," Brown said.

Brown is well aware of the star power that a young but confident Beverly team brings to the rink tonight, which also happens to be Danvers Youth Hockey Night.

"They've only given up three goals in their last five games. That freshman goalie they have (Tim Biarelli) is really impressive, and so is their defense," said Brown. "Forward-wise, (sophomore center) Connor Irving (36 points) is one of the best players around. His center, (Brenden) Mitchell is very good too, and his cousin Andrew (Irving) makes for a pretty formidable first line. They have great coaching, too, with Bobby Gilligan. There are a lot of areas of concern for us."

Following tonight's game, Danvers will play five final regular season games on the road prior to the playoffs beginning: at Saugus, Peabody, Gloucester, and twice at the Graf Rink in Newburyport in the annual Newbuyport Bank Ice Hockey Classic.