EXETER, N.H. — The stunned silence that washed over the Timberlane bench and fan section with 13 seconds left in the contest simply told the story.
"It was tough," said Owls head coach Andrew Merrick. "A bounce of the puck here and there decided it."
With under a minute to go in regulation, Bow's Greg Bueddeman flew down ice to haul in a loose puck. He seemed to lose control for a moment before recovering and flipping a backhand into the net with 13 seconds left in the game to give the top-seeded Falcons a 3-2 victory over No. 4 Timberlane in the New Hampshire Division 2 semifinals last night at the Rinks at Exeter.
"Timberlane is the defending (Division 2) state champions," said Bow coach Tim Walsh. "You need to do a little something extra special to beat the champs, and we did that. Another year that (Bueddeman) goal goes off someone's toe."
Bow (17-1-2), who the Owls (14-7-2, 12-7-1 Division 2) dealt its only loss in the regular season, advances to Division 2 state final on Saturday.
"We had them," said Merrick. "I think we played our best game of the season when it mattered. But we knew it wouldn't be easy and we just didn't execute when we needed it."
After falling behind 1-0 in the first, Timberlane seemed to take firm control of the contest.
At 10:06 of the first, the area's leading goal-scorer, David Evans, took a pass from Ross Ferullo and was able to slide it into the goal just as he was tripped to the ice.
Then, with 27 seconds remaining in the first frame, Evans struck again, this time with a slap shot from the point that flew over Bow goalie Collin Evans' right shoulder.
Just a junior, the goals were Evans' 25th and 26th of the season, setting a new school record and good for the top spot in the region. The Owls' old record (23) was held by Jimmy Scott in their inaugural season (2000-01).
"Evans played a great game," said Merrick. "And Ferullo almost added another one but (Collin) Evans made a great save. It could have easily been 3-1."
In the meantime, the Owls were simply stifling the Falcons offense, allowing just five shots on goal over the first two periods. Much of that was the work of a defensive crew led by seniors Cam Fagan and Matt Walsh that fearlessly blocked approximately 18 shots.
"I think we definitely played well," said Fagan. "It was one of our better efforts. But a few lapses hurt us."
Bow stole back momentum with 3:40 left in the second when Bueddeman tied the game with his 21st goal of the season.
The Cardinals then came out surging in the third period, firing 10 shots on Timberlane goalie Brett LaPerriere. The 5-foot-4 junior was initally up to the task. He made a tremendous glove save to stop a 2-on-1, then halted a breakaway with a butterfly stop.
Meanwhile, Bow did its best to take Timberlane star and Eagle-Tribune Player of the Year contender Zach Fox (one assist) from making his mark, keeping at least one defender on him at all times and punishing him whenever possible — including an open ice hit that force Fox to the bench for four minutes in the second.
"Our main goal was to shut down Zach Fox," said Walsh. "He is an excellent player that can turn a game on a dime."
But it would be Bueddeman that decide the contest, completing his hat trick with the highlight-reel goal with 13 seconds left on the clock. The Owls managed a last-second scrum in front of the Bow net, but the final horn sounded.
"It was a great season and the last four years have been a blast," said Fagan. "But it sure stinks right now."
Bow 3, Timberlane 2
Division 2 Semifinals
Bow (17-1-2 Div. 2):1âÇ1âÇ1 — 3
Timberlane (14-7-2, 12-7-1 Div. 2):2âÇ0âÇ0 — 2
Goals: T — David Evans 2; B — Greg Bueddeman 3
Assists: T — Ross Ferullo, Cam Fagan, Zach Fox; B — Shane Tracy, Bryan Barker
Saves: T — Brett LaPerriere 13; B — Collin Evans 16
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