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

FALCONS RENEW ACQUAINTANCES WITH ARCH RIVAL GLOUCESTER TONIGHT

It's the one word that will get the heartbeat of any Danvers High hockey player beating faster. It evokes images of a classic rivalry, big games before even bigger crowds, and some of the Blue and White's greatest victories have come against their arch rivals from Cape Ann.

Tonight at the Richard H. Rockett Arena, the Falcons meet the Fishermen for the first time this winter. Danvers not only wants bragging rights over their Northeastern Conference rivals and the two points that comes with a win, but also to extend their current winning streak to a season-high three games.

"It's a big two points, it's a conference game, and it's our last (league contest) one for a while. Those are all big factors (tonight)," said Danvers head coach Kevin Brown, whose squad comes into tonight's game sporting a 4-2 overall record and 3-1 in NEC North action, good for first place

"Gloucester was down a bit last season, but they've been very optimistic this season and rightfully so. They've played a tough schedule and done well so far with wins over Beverly, Triton and Marblehead. They play with a chip on their shoulder, too, which I think helps them.

"You see their maroon and white uniforms and know you're in for a special game. We're excited to have them come into our house and see what they're all about."

Gloucester is now 3-3-2 overall (1-2-1 in NEC North games) after tying host Winthrop two nights ago, 4-4.

Danvers has been off since New Year's Eve, when it defeated Peabody, 4-1, in the inaugural Mike Clifford Memorial Hockey Game at Salem State. That win was preceded by another triumph, 5-3, at Saugus in the second round of the Kasabuski Christmas Tournament.

Captain Joe Strangie has been a Falcon on fire as of late. The junior center has hat tricks in back-to-back games and leads the team (and North Shore) in scoring with eight goals and nine assists. His linemates, junior left wing A.J. Couto (4 goals, 7 assists) and senior captain J.D. Hodgkins on the right side (3 goals, 6 assists) have also been joining in on the scoring bonanza.

"Joe's scoring and that's great, but he's such a team player. That's so important to our overall success," said Brown.

Forwards such as Paul D'Orlando, Jay Calcagno, Jack Doyle, Rob Buchanan, Tyler Dustin and Kevin Hodgkins are also playing their roles well in all three zones, said Brown.

The head coach has also been very happy with senior Peter Marshall on defense -- and not just for his goal and seven assists so far. "He's really being a leader back on D to our younger guys," said Brown, referring to defensemen such as freshman Mike Disciullo, sophomore Ryan Cassidy and juniors Shea Doyle and Kevin Anderson (his regular partner on D).

Steve Wilkinson, a senior who entered the season as a backup in goal, will start his second straight game tonight and play for the third straight contest in place of the injured Seth Kamens. Wilkinson has won both of his decisions this season with a sparkling 2.08 goals-against average.

"Stevie always puts the team before him," said Brown. "He comes to practice every day and works hard, never complains and does his job. This has been really nice for him."

Gloucester will rely on the talents of Ben Favazza (a team-high 6 goals), Mike Russo (who, like Favazza, has 9 points), John Interrante (4 goals, 3 assists) and junior goalie Jesse Glidden.

"We're using a lot of different words and hockey phrases when we talk to the kids," Brown said of his coaching staff, 'but the main word we keep using is consistency. We've won two in a row; now we want to build off of that by continuing to do the little things well or work on the things that we can improve. If we can do those things, the end result will take care of itself."

Following tonight's tilt with the Fishermen, Danvers will wear its road blue uniforms for the next three games before returning home to face Salem on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 1 p.m. Prior to that the Falcons will face both Swampscott (Saturday, 3 p.m.) and Marblehead (Wed., Jan. 11 at 6:20 p.m.) at Salem State, then travel to Billerica to meet Shawsheen on Thursday, Jan. 12 for an 8 p.m. encounter.