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

DANVERS LOOKS TO END YEAR ON STRONG NOTE WITH A WIN IN INAUGURAL MIKE CLIFFORD GAME

Hoping to win its second straight game for the first time this season, end the 2011 calendar year with another two points and secure victory in a showdown that carries true meaning, the Danvers High hockey team has a lot to play for this afternoon when they host Northeastern Conference rival Peabody High at the Richard H. Rockett Arena in Salem.

Today is the inaugural Mike Clifford Memorial Hockey Game, named in honor of the former long-time Peabody and Danvers High assistant coach. Clifford, who passed away last spring, was hugely popular among his players, fellow coaches and opponents alike. He helped steer the Falcons to Division 2 state championships in both 1994 and 2001, and his passing was felt throughout the tight-knit North Shore hockey community.

On this New Year's Eve contest, the Falcons look to improve upon their 3-2 record as they return to NEC play, having most recently prevailed in the consolation game of the Kasabuski Christmas Tournament in Saugus against the hosts, 5-3. Visiting Peabody High (2-2) also comes into today's showdown also fresh off of a win; the Tanners defeated Concord-Carlisle three days ago, 4-3.

Naturally, there's a lot for both teams to play for this afternoon. For Danvers head coach Kevin Brown, it's about his squad continuing to stay the course while striving to improve each time they hit the ice.

"We need to keep on pushing, keep persevering," said Brown. "We're a quarter way through the season and so far, we're off to a decent start (6 out of a possible 10 points). But we can all be better; the key is continue to work in practices and games on getting better to where we (ultimately) want to be.

"The kids are starting to realize that one goal (allowed) is nothing; they keep working and doing what we've talked about and listening to the coaches, and all that hard work is ultimately paying off."

In particular, Brown wants his team to work on correcting what he terms "small breakdowns": a certain player being in the right spot on the ice at the right time, thus preventing a defensive breakdown and a golden scoring opportunity for an opponent, for instance. Or continuing to work as hard in the neutral and defensive zones as a player's natural instincts might allow him to in the offensive zone.

"Players are seeing these things when they're on the bench between shifts and watching their teammates," Brown said of the in-game teaching his players have been absorbing. "It's like, 'Now I get it.' It's the repetition and constantly working on things at practices that make the difference come game time."

In splitting two games earlier this week in the Kasabuski Tournament (including a 5-3 loss to Lynnfield), junior captain Joe Strangie played particularly well by scoring four goals and adding three assists. After scoring a hat trick in the win over Saugus on Wednesday, Strangie's 13 points in five games this winter (5 goals, 8 assists) place the team's first line center among the top scorers on the North Shore.

Classmate A.J. Couto at left wing is also making the most of his ice time at even strength and on the penalty kill; he's second on the team in scoring with four goals and nine total points, just ahead of senior captain and right wing J.D. Hodgkins (3 goals, 5 assists). Junior Rob Buchanan also picked an excellent time to score his first goal of the season, netting the game-winner against Saugus in the third period with a pass from sophomore Jay Calcagno.

Senior goaltender Steve Wilkinson,who came in relief of starter Seth Kamens after the latter was injured against Lynnfield, got his first win of the season vs. Saugus with a 20-save performance. Fellow senior Peter Marshall, who had three assists in the two Kasabuski Tournament games, leads all DHS defensemen in scoring with four points.

Peabody, a team without the offensive firepower of years past but still extremely fast overall, boasts capable scorers in captains Mike Chiappini and Eric Costa (5 points each), a strong first-year goalie in junior Joe Powers (averaging 30 saves a night) and have scored half of their 12 goals thus far in the third period of games, making them dangerous if the score is close late in the contest. The Tanners have been outscored in the second period of their four games, 6-1, however.

"They will absolutely come ready to play and we'll need to ratchet our challenge level up a few notches (today)," Brown said of Peabody. "It's a battle every time we play them, and this will be no different."

The Falcons will be back home following today's game when they host arch rival Gloucester in their first game of 2012 on Wednesday, Jan. 4 back at the Rockett Arena.