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 LOOK TO GET BACK TO THEIR WINNING WAYS TONIGHT VS.SAUGUS

Aiming to get back into the win column after splitting their first two games of the 2011-12 season, the Danvers High Falcons will be looking to bring a complete 45-minute effort to the Richard H. Rockett Arena tonight when they entertain Northeastern Conference Large rival Saugus.

After winning their season opener a week ago tonight over Winthrop, 3-2, the Falcons suffered their first setback four nights ago in falling to Beverly, 6-2. Saugus, on the other hand, comes into tonight's showdown with a win (4-0 over Gloucester) and a tie (3-3 with Winthrop) on its resume, the latter of those coming after the Sachems scored twice in the final minute of play to knot the contest up.

It's clear that Danvers must avoid the pratfalls that allowed the Blue-and-White to surrender four third period goals against Beverly, said head coach Kevin Brown. Capitalizing on scoring chances against a defense as strong as Saugus' is also paramount for the Falcons to earn two points tonight.

Brown and his top assistant, Kevin McNeill, have a good idea now after five preseason games and two regular season contests what the team is capable of and what they need to do to improve themselves.

"The challenge is for us, as a team, to be better (tonight)," said Brown. "Our kids know what type of team they are and what they can expect against them. We have to meet that challenge while at the same time doing the things that we do well to the best of our ability.

"Our goals are simple. We want to limit their shots on goal, as we do with any opponent. We need to be more physical by grinding it out and getting into the 'dirty areas' of the ice. And we have to make it tough for our opponents to do the things they like to do."

What Saugus does very well is skate, play a physical style that both irritates opponents and earns them retaliatory penalties, and commit to team-wide defense. A year ago the Sachems lost only once in the regular season (with 12 wins and 7 ties), then won three more playoff games before seeing their season finally come to an end in the Division 2 North final.

Danvers can't afford to let Saugus get under its collective skin tonight; the Falcons need to benefit from power play opportunities, not be sent off to the sin bin themselves. They were hurt in that area Saturday: despite scoring two power play goals of their own, they also gave up two shorthanded goals as well as two man-down goals.

"It's about having better composure and making smarter decisions," said Brown. "We need to be aware of the rules, especially the (recent) emphasis on shots to the head, and not get drawn into that sort of game."

Sophomore Tyler Dustin, who has scored in both games thus far, got Danvers on the scoreboard in the second period Saturday against Beverly before junior A.J.Couto tied it in the third period. Junior captain Joe Strangie assisted on both tallies while fellow captain J.D.Hodgkins and sophomore Ryan Cassidy also had assists.

"For some of our guys, this is their first real varsity experience and they're getting better all the time," said Brown."Tyler has done a nice job stepping right in and contributing on that second line. Another guy is (senior) Paul D'Orlando, who is centering our third line and had his first varsity goal in the Winthrop win. He's finishing checks, moving his feet without the puck and winning faceoffs, all things we're asking him to do.

Defensively, Brown has been impressed with the poise of freshman Mike Disciullo, who seems to always be in the right position and moves the puck well. He's also confident in his goaltending, particularly senior starter Seth Kamens, who had some big saves in both contests thus far.

Saugus' marquee player is goalie Nick Hegarty, a rock between the Sachems' pipes. Danny Groark leads a fine defense in front of him while forwards such as Serge Tait and Tyler Sheehan can put the puck away at the other end of the ice.

"We have to be focused mentally and physically," concluded Brown. "It's time for us to establish our identity."

Tonight will be the Falcons' last contest until after the Christmas holiday; they're in action again on Tuesday, Dec. 27 when they take on Lynnfield (1 p.m.) in the first round of the Kasabuski Christmas Tournament in Saugus. They'll skate against Wakefield or Saugus the following night. Danvers' next home game is on New Year's Eve (12:30 p.m.) against Peabody in the inaugural Mike Clifford Game, being played in memory of the long-time former Danvers High hockey assistant coach.