One coach has five state titles to his credit. The other will test uncharted waters today as Casey Kesselring and the Pinkerton Astros skate into their first-ever championship game.
Both Kesselring and Hanover's 27th-year coach Dick Dodds agree: The winning team today in the New Hampshire Division 1 final at Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester will be the one that finds a way to pepper the net.
"We're a lot alike," said Dodds. "Both teams are built around strong defenses. And we both beat higher seeded teams to get here."
Kesselring concurred.
"Like us, they have a big, physical, active defense that they rely on," said the Pinkerton coach. "We have to find a way to get to their net and get shots on net."
Kesselring points to the Marauders' 2-1 win over Bishop Brady for his assessment.
Brady managed only 14 shots on goalie Brendon Leeming.
"He's only a sophomore and we have to pressure him. For us, it's going to take 30 to 35 shots to win this game."
Pinkerton took the regular-season meeting on Jan. 10 by a 3-1 score.
"You can throw that one right out," said Kesselring. "Both teams are very different now."
No. 7 Hanover, which Dodds noted beats teams with depth and tenacity as opposed to flash — "We don't have any first-team all-state candidates," he said — has rallied around Leeming.
Hanover has won eight of the last nine, allowing only 1.25 goals per game in that stretch.
Of course, with veterans like Andrew Stefanelli, Dom Capulli, Tom Bois and Billy McCarran protecting suddenly-sizzling J.J. Solloway in the cage, the No. 4 Astros have been nearly as stingy.
"Their defensive corps is the best in the league. We've got to find a way to create those opportunities," said Kesselring.
Division 1 State Final
PINKERTON (16-6-1, 14-5-1 Div. 1) vs. HANOVER (13-8 Div. 1)
Today, 4:45 p.m., at Verizon Wireless Arena, Manchester
PINKERTON
TOP SCORERS
PlayerYr.Pos.GAPts.
Jason CaraceSr.F162642
Teddy McCarranSoph.F131326
Nick CurrierSr.F111425
Alex CampbellSr.F71017
Jake DionJr.F4913
A. StefanelliJr.D01010
Tom BoisSr.F/D639
Eddie GalvinSr.F549
GOALTENDER
PlayerYr.Goals againstSave pct.
J.J. SollowayJr.1.82.933
HANOVER
TOP SCORERS
PlayerYr.Pos.GAPts.
Bob PfeifferSr.F131124
Ben RimmerSr.F81422
Derek IveySr.D81220
Jamie KnightSr.D41519
Shane WolterJr.F6612
GOALTENDER
PlayerYr.Goals againstSave pct.
Brendon LeemingSoph.1.70.904
PINKERTON%ROUND%HANOVER
Bye%First Round%Hanover 4, Londonderry 2
Pinkerton 5, Trinity 4%Quarterfinals%Hanover 2, Concord 1
Pinkerton 2, Bishop Guertin 1%Semifinals%Hanover 2, Bishop Brady 1
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