Congratulations to this season U12 TII State Champions,
MRYHA’s Longchamps Electric/Skaters Edge U12 Manchester Lady Hurricanes.

The U12 Lady Hurricanes skated their way to the U12 TII State Championship Sunday as they defeated Dover 5 to 2 in the championship game.  The Lady ‘Canes played hard throughout the weekend and stayed undefeated in the Granite State League. In round one, the Lady ‘Canes got past Nashua 4 to 3. Jenna Mead got the scoring going in period one netting the first goal of the playoffs. Halfway through the period, Emily Holtshouser passed cross ice to defensive partner Skylar Pepin who fed the puck to Kaylie DeCosmo who shot the puck past the Nashua Goaltender.  Ashley Zannini would do the same scoring from the slot set up by Kelley Guimont to close out the period.  Nashua would battle back swapping goals with the ‘Canes. Jenna Mead put the ‘Canes up by 3 with a strong shot set up by line mate Alexandra Breen.  Nashua would score the last two goals of the game. Sabrina Dobbins in net for the ‘Canes came up big to preserve the win. In game two the Lady ‘Canes faced off with Dover. At this point with both teams now advancing to the finals, this game was glimpse at what was to come championship day. In period one, Hailee Forest, with good pressure, forced the Dover defender deep where Stephanie Sloane stole the puck and passed off to line mate Taylor Merrill. Merrill stepped in and blasted a wrist shot into the net. Sandwiched around a Dover goal, Zannini would strike again set up by Guimont.  Period two would see each team net 2 goals each.  On one of the prettier plays of the weekend, Mead with a rush passed of to Emma Lynch who broke in drawing the defense to her when she passed off to Alexandra Breen who walked in all alone and beat the Dover goaltender stick side. With a strong defensive play from Hannah Kearny forcing the play low into the Dover end, DeCosmo came up the puck and found a way to beat the Dover goaltender. Now with the hot hand in period three, Holtshouser from her own end of the ice went end to end with the puck and beat the Dover goalie glove side. Jen Bairam, the goaltender for the ‘Canes, would shut down the Dover attack coming up big on two breakaways stoning them cold.  Closing out the scoring, Guimont passed back to the point where Kaylyn Forest passed off to Zannini netting the final goal of the game ending it at 6 to 3. 

Now with the momentum, the Lady ‘Canes got off to a strong start championship Sunday.  Jenna Mead would test the Dover goaltender early with two strong wrist shots set up by Breen and Lynch. The ‘Canes defense would play up tempo and keep the pressure on the Dover breakouts. Bairam and Holtsthouser would keep the puck in at the blue line where Holtshouser made a strong pass to Guimont low who wrapped the net and scored high into the net giving the Lady ‘Canes the early lead.  Dover would strike back and score to end the first period tying at one goal a piece. Defensive player Hannah Kearney stepped up and prevented a Dover breakout separating the puck from the defender.  Stephanie Sloane picked up the loose puck and passed off to DeCosmo who found a wide open Guimont who finished the play netting the second goal for the ‘Canes.  Minutes later DeCosmo circled the net and centered the puck to Zannini who made nifty move and scored the third goal of the game for the ‘Canes.  Continuing the pressure on a power play, Guimont set up Zannini who notched her second goal of the game.  Closing out period two, Guimont would score giving her the hatrick set up by DeCosmo and Zannini.  With the score 5 to 2 entering period 3, the ‘Canes could feel the title within their grasp. Getting physical, Skylar Pepin shut the door on a Dover rush and was called off for a checking penalty.  Sabrina Dobbins in net for the Lady Hurricanes came up big on a few testers by Dover.  Kaylyn Forest, the smallest player on the ice, roughed it off and got called for a penalty. Sister Hailee with Sloane and Merrill would combine to shut down any attack Dover could muster on the power play.  As the final minutes wound down, Dobbins shut the door on any chances by Dover as the ‘Canes skated their way to the State Title.  The Lady ‘Canes made it three State Championships in a row and will travel to Vermont on March 14 to face off in Regional Playoffs where they will play VT, ME, CT, and RI.  Congratulations to the 2008 State Champions Manchester Lady Hurricanes.

 Goaltender: Sabrina Dobbins
Front row left to right: Kaylyn Forest, Taylor Merrill, Hannah Kearney, Jenna Mead, Emma Lynch, Kaylie DeCosmo, Kelley Guimont, Emily Holtshouser, Hailee Forest

Second Row left to right: Jennifer Bairam, Skylar Pepin, Stephanie Sloane, Ashley Zannini

Coaches left to right: Greg Bairam, Darren DeCosmo, Marc Pepin