OR snaps two-game slide with win over STA/Dover

Jan. 26--DURHAM -- After scoring just one goal total in consecutive losses, the Oyster River High School girls hockey team needed to get back on the scoring and winning track.

That they did on Saturday at the Whittemore Center Arena, blanking area rival St. Thomas/Dover, 4-0, to improve to 7-2 in Division I. The Bobcats were coming off losses to Berlin/Gorham (3-1) and Hanover (9-0) after a 6-0 start. STA/Dover fell to 2-5.

OR scored a goal each in the first two periods and then added a pair of insurance goals in the third. They outshot STA/Dover, 23-19, in a game that was much closer than the final score indicated.

"We capitalized and they didn't," said OR coach Jamie Long. "Both goalies played well and we were lucky that both girls who can score goals scored today."

The Bobcats beat STA/Dover earlier this month in Dover, 4-1 -- all four goals came on the power play.

"The penalty killing improved, but we couldn't quite finish," said STA/Dover coach Al Oliveira. "There were a couple little things here and there that we will fix. We'll be OK."

OR's Julia Hatch scored Saturday's game-winner at 11:00 of the first period during a scramble in front from Rose Mroczka and Jess Mark-Anthony.

"It was definitely really important (to get the first goal)," Hatch said. "We've been on a slow kick and not doing as well as we can. This game got us back into things and back in the groove."

Oyster River went up 2-0 in the second when Hatch fed a wide-open Mroczka for a backhand breakaway score at 9:23.

"It was nice," Mroczka said. "It was like a pick-me-up. I think we're psyched to play our next opponent."

STA/Dover had its chances in all three periods, but could not get the puck past OR goalie Emily Croot (19 saves).

Down 2-0 to start the third, STA/Dover almost got it to 3-1 when Shayna Murphy made a nice move to get in front of Croot all alone, but Croot stuffed her shot.

"We decided to play defensively," Mroczka said. "We had the lead, so were focusing on keeping them from having shots."

OR standout Sandra Strogen made it 3-0 at 5:36 when she made a great three-quarter ice rush, beating at least three STA/Dover skaters and then finally shoveling the puck past goalie Megan MacBride (19 saves).

"As far as I'm concerned I wouldn't trade her for any player in the state," said OR's Long of Strogen, a two-time all-state player. "She plays with intensity, plays smart. She's fearless and competitive."

STA/Dover really applied some pressure at that point, but great scoring chances in front by Jillian Holden, Avery Gowen and Gabbi Dodier were stopped by Croot.

After a timeout, STA/Dover had two more superb opportunities, including a breakaway by Dodier that was stopped.

"I think we had more control of the puck, we just didn't get quality chances," said STA/Dover's Murphy. "It has been an issue putting the puck in the net sometimes."

Certainly getting an early goal past Croot might have changed the complexion of the game.

"It would have raised our spirits a bit and we would have played harder," said STA/Dover'sSara White, who had two good scoring chances in the first period.

OR closed out the scoring with 17.7 seconds to play. Maggie McNamara came onto the ice just as an OR penalty ended and the puck came right to her at center ice where she was all alone. She skated in on McBride and scored top shelf.

"The girls played really hard," Oliveira said. "We'll play the season and be OK. We'll be in the playoffs."

STA/Dover hosts Souhegan Tuesday, while OR is at Lebanon Wednesday.

Oyster River, 4-0

STA/Dover (2-5) 0 0 0 -- 0

<p>Oyster River (7-2) 1 1 2 -- 4

Scoring: First period: O-Hatch (Mroczka, Mark-Anthony) 11:00, pp; second period: O-Mroczka (Hatch) 9:23; third period: O-Strogen (un.) 5:36; O-McNamara (Strogen) 14:43.

Goalies: S-MacBride (23 shots, 19 saves); O-Croot (19, 19).

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