Wildcats Fall to Winchendon

Vermont Academy traveled to the Winchendon School on Saturday and gave up seven goals in the loss. With starting goalie Kollin Handler out for the season, defenseman Joey Mizhir donned a mismatched set of goalie gear and bravely stood between the pipes for the game. He managed 26 saves in his debut. Blake O'Brien scored VA's lone goal of the game early in the third period, slamming the puck home after a little scramble in front of the net.

Vermont Academy 1, Winchendon School 7
Goal by Blake O'Brien (1) unassisted
Saves - Joe Mizhir 26
Vermont Academy shots - 16
Penalties - Vermont Academy 2, Winchendon School 2

Boys JV Loses to Cushing Academy

On Wednesday Vermont Academy hosted Cushing Academy and lost to the visiting side 6-1. Evan Lyman scored his second goal of the season off of an assist by Brendan Long. The score came during a power play in the second period. The game was a one-sided affair, but the Wildcats kept skating and worked hard during the contest. Unfortunately, goalie Kollin Handler finished the game with a hamstring injury that will finish the season for him. He had 38 saves during the game.

Vermont Academy 1, Cuahing Academy 6
Goal by Evan Lyman (2) assisted by Brendan Long (1)
Saves - Kollin Handler 38
Vermont Academy shots - 18
Penalties - Vermont Academy 2, Cushing Academy 5 (one major DQ)

VA Loses to NMH

On Wednesday the Junior Varsity boys hockey team went on the road to face Northfield Mount Hermon (NMH). The game began with a goal by the opposing team. However, shortly after, Turner McAfee maneuvered around at least 3 players to score an amazing backhand goal that reached the net easily. Once he had that momentum, Turner scored another goal - again going past at least 2 players to get to the net. It would seem promising at this point with the score 2-1, Vermont Academy, however something happened and our playing took a turn for the worse. At least 10 minutes went by until the next goal was scored by NMH, but after that they were on a roll. Our team’s defense was leaving all the shots for Kollin, who had at least 60 saves maybe more. At half time we were losing by about 5 and that deficit would only get larger as the game went on. However, we kept our heads up high and played hard until the whistle blew. The final score, 11-2 NMH.

- written by Jordan Becker '12

Vermont Academy 2, NMH 11
Goal by Turner McAfee(1), assisted by Mac Haddad(1)
Goal by Turner McAfee(2), unassisted
Saves - Kollin Handler 64
Vermont Academy shots - 13
Penalties - Vermont Academy 1, NMH 6

Loss to Williston Northampton

The boys JV took to the ice with a severely depleted squad on Saturday, and although the team put in an admirable effort, it wasn't enough to hold back the tide of Williston Northampton players. VA lost the game 7-1.

Notable in the game was the heroic performance by Kollin Handler, who registered 75 saves in the loss. Cedric Vinet also impressed with a show of skill and persistence that had him skate the length of the ice and then fake the goalkeeper for VA's lone goal of the game.

VA Loses to Proctor Academy

The Boys JV Hockey team fell to Proctor Academy 8-2 at Choukas Rink. The home side came out flat and found themselves down 4-0 after the first period. A strong effort in the second half of the game led to a goal by Carson Burke, and five minutes later Hunter Wilcox set up Brian Schilling for his second goal of the season. Although VA matched Proctor during the second half of the game, it was not enough to overcome the early deficit.

Goalie Kollin Handler stopped 42 shots in the loss.

Boys JV Hockey Outmatched Against Academie St. Louis  The Wildcats were back on the ice less than 24 hours after their overtime defeat to Proctor, and found themselves outplayed and outgunned by Academie St. Louis, a team traveling from Quebec City, QC.  Goalie Kollin Handler had a busy night, saving 63 of the 77 shots he faced.

Wildcats Lose to Proctor Academy in Overtime   Vermont Academy's Boys JV Hockey traveled to Andover, NH on Saturday and lost a close game to Proctor Academy, 2-1. Proctor took an early lead, but defenseman Cedric Vinet tied the game with a slapshot from the blue line in the second period. Taylor Hartwright assisted on the goal.

Goalie Kollin Handler played an excellent game, and made a difference for Vermont Academy. He registered 43 saves. He held Proctor to one goal through regulation time, but he and the rest of the team were unlucky to give up the winning goal in the opening minutes of the lone overtime period.

Vermont Academy hosts Proctor on January 15.