Through the fire

METHUEN — Possibly the most iconic image in hockey history is Bruins legend Gerry Cheevers' goalie mask, covered in stitches drawn to indicate where the puck hit him.

If Jonathan Borden followed that practice, he long ago would have run out of space on his Methuen uniform.

"In his career, he has seen more pucks than just about anyone around," said Rangers coach Denny Egan. "But he has never gotten flustered and continued to play at a high level. That's a lot of credit to him because it has been tough around here a lot of time.

"I've been coaching since 1976, and he is the best high school goalie I have ever been around."

Borden has been the rock for a Methuen squad that in prior seasons contended with struggles on the ice, and controversy off. He was also a key figure in the Rangers' rejuvenation this season.

"We made some strides this season," said forward Mike Lussier. "And Borden was a huge part of that. He has been the backbone of our team."

While many of the area's top players have spurned public school for prep school or junior hockey, Borden has been a fixture in net for the Rangers.

In three years as starting goalie, Borden has played in 54 of a possible 59 games. Despite Methuen going just 5-30-4 in his first two seasons as a starter, he never considered leaving his hometown team.

"Not at all," Borden said. "I never applied anywhere. I never wanted to play anywhere else."

As soon as he was old enough to walk, Borden was on the ice playing hockey. He got a late start in net though, taking up the position at age 12. But with the help of a local goalie coach, and experience as a baseball catcher to help the transition, he quickly drew praise for his work in goal.

"I remember seeing him when he was in middle school at our clinics," said Rangers assistant coach Jim Peirce. "Even back then, he was very aggressive on the ice and seemed to be having fun. You could see early on he had talent, and that he was going to be a good one."

Once high school arrived, Borden followed his brother Ryan, then a junior defenseman, to Methuen High. After not appearing in a varsity game as a freshman, Borden earned the job in net as a sophomore and started every game for the team that went 4-13-2. He made a whopping 41 saves in a 3-2 win over Boston Latin, and finished with a respectable 3.63 goals-against average.

Plagued by discipline problems, the Rangers took a step back last season. They finished just 1-17-2 and were shut out nine times.

Borden, who started 18 of 20 games a season ago and recorded two shutouts and a 2.56 GAA, admitted it was overwhelming at times.

"It was really tough on a lot of us," he said. "The guys that were left on the team felt very frustrated. But I had to keep reminding myself that I couldn't get down because if the team saw me down, they would be down."

His cool in the face of adversity impressed many of those around him.

"He always managed to focus on what he needed to do," said Peirce. "He never let (the struggles) hinder how he prepared for a game. He never looked to have the weight of the world on his shoulders."

In the offseason, Borden went back to work at goalie camps and with his summer league team to refine his skills. And this season he delivered the best of his career.

The 17-year-old started 17 of a possible 20 games, missing three due to an illness. Hardly a large target at just 5-foot-8 and 140 pounds, he delivered a career-best 1.94 goals-against average, allowing more than two goals in a game just three times. He also set career-highs in shutouts with three and save percentage with a .932. For his efforts he received All-Merrimack Valley Conference/Dual County League Division 2 honors.

"He is really an excellent goalie," said Haverhill coach Spike Sprague. "A lot of goalies butterfly a lot. But he plays very upright and only butterflies when he needs to. He doesn't get caught on the ice. The last few years, he has kept Methuen in a lot of games."

Not only did Borden raise his game, but it began to show up in the win column. After opening the season 0-6-1, Methuen caught fire as Borden won five of his next six starts. The Rangers finished the season 5-12-3, their best record since 2004-05 (5-11-4).

"I'm proud of what we did (this season)," he said. "I feel like we really turned the program around and left it in better shape than it has been in a while. I'm glad I stayed here."

With Methuen's season coming to a close last Saturday, Borden is unsure if he will return to competitive hockey. He is considering playing junior hockey while attending Northern Essex Community College in the fall. But if his career is over, he said he has no regrets.

"He always had his eyes set on playing for Methuen," said Peirce. "He followed in his brother's footsteps. I think it meant a lot to Jonathan to wear the Blue and White for his whole career."

Sachem Pride

With all the talk about area scoring king Ryan Sifferlen of North Andover and Phillips phenom Chris Kreider, one name is often forgotten in the area's top scorers. That is Pentucket sniper Bobby DiSorbo.

The senior has been a force around the net this season. DiSorbo has scored 20 goals, good for fourth in the area, and his 37 overall points are good for a tie for fifth in the area. Both marks the most for Sachem since Harry Biggs (22-22—44) in 2003-04.

DiSorbo has become a household name around Pentucket hockey. His brother Joe DiSorbo also played for the Sachems, leading them in scoring as a senior in 2005 (11-12—23).

A two-sport standout, Bobby also played receiver and defensive back for the football team. He is looking to continue his hockey career at Westfield State. ¬º

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