WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — The Lebanon High Raiders rang in the new year with a victory Wednesday, earning their first win of the season with a 2-0 shutout of the Hartford High Hurricanes in the Philippe H. Bouthillier Holiday Classic consolation game at Wendell A. Barwood Arena.
Senior Ben Benes opened the scoring in the second period, and freshman Cooper Davis added an insurance goal in the third to seal the win.
“We started on time and got a lead, built on it,” Lebanon head coach Nate Dube said.
After Tuesday’s loss to Brattleboro in the opening game of the tournament, Dube said he wanted to see better effort and a stronger forecheck from his team. He felt the Raiders delivered on both fronts Wednesday.
“I thought we did really well,” Dube said. “We were able to play three lines tonight, and all three lines pushed, got in there, made them make mistakes, turn pucks over, and we capitalized.”
Lebanon controlled play early, outshooting the Hurricanes 10-2 in the first period, a sharp contrast to Tuesday’s opening frame when the Raiders managed just two shots on goal.
Despite the pressure, neither team scored in the first period.
The Raiders broke through less than a minute into the second period when Benes scored, assisted by senior CJ Gogan and Davis.
Hartford responded by ramping up its offensive pressure, but Lebanon’s defense and freshman goaltender Jacolby Condon held firm to preserve a 1-0 lead heading into the third.
The final period featured end-to-end action, with key saves by Condon and Hartford sophomore goaltender Isaac Tane keeping the game close.
Lebanon delivered the decisive goal with 10:59 remaining. Davis deked into the offensive zone and buried the puck, with Benes picking up the assist.
Dube, in his first season as Lebanon’s head coach, said the win was especially meaningful for his players, as many of them grew up playing youth hockey with players on the Hartford roster.
“They win or lose the games — coaches just mess everything up,” he said.
Lebanon (1-5) will look to build on its first victory of the season when it hosts Spaulding on Saturday at 4:20 p.m.
Hartford (0-5) will continue the hunt for its first win Saturday when it travels to Missisquoi for an 8 p.m. game.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Springfield 65, Windsor 43
Key athletes: Windsor — Kobin Shute, 17 points; Springfield — Jameer Cosby, 12 points; Drew Squire, 12 points; JP Stagner, 10 points
Coach’s quote: “Hand it to Springfield, they played smarter tonight. We played hard, but we didn’t play smart. You can’t give the other team 30+ extra offensive possessions via turnovers and expect to win. Ever.” — Larry Dougher, Windsor