Offense shines as Bedford boys hockey cruises past Bishop Brady

GOFFSTOWN - The only noticeable change in the Bedford High School boys hockey team Thursday night at Sullivan Arena compared to its previous four games was its sweaters.

Wearing throwback uniforms resembling those from their inaugural season, the Bulldogs found the back of the net with ease on their way to a 9-4 victory over Bishop Brady.

Bedford (6-2) has won five straight and outscored its opponents 28-8 over the streak. Bishop Brady (2-7) is the only team that has scored more than two goals on the Bulldogs in that stretch.

Bedford coach Marty Myers said one of the reasons behind his team’s recent barrage of goals is the play of its all-senior first line in Kyle Greer, Zack Bayer and Eric Flynn. Bayer recorded two goals and an assist and Flynn tallied an assist in the win.

The Bulldogs’ first line also had some help in the scoring department from junior Parker Roberto, who recorded a hat trick.

The Bulldogs erupted for three goals over the final 5:55 of the opening period to turn a 2-2 tie into a 5-2 advantage. Roberto broke the deadlock while teammates Tim Spencer and Bayer each scored over the final 46.1 seconds of the frame to extend Bedford’s lead. Spencer’s tally marked his first of the season.

John Giroux and Nate Musgrave scored Bedford’s first two goals.

Myers was pleased with how his players responded over the latter part of the first period after seeing Bishop Brady knot the score.

Roberto, Bayer and Lucas DeBonville added goals in the second period to give the Bulldogs an 8-3 lead going into the third frame. Roberto completed the hat trick with 3:17 remaining when he scored while Bedford was shorthanded.

Bishop Brady senior Matt Tremblay scored two top-shelf goals 45 seconds apart from one another in the first period.

Max Lamora cut Bedford’s lead to 8-3 when he jammed the puck home from the crease with 4:05 remaining in the second period. Trevor Gallagher capped the Green Giants’ scoring 4:44 into the third period. The sophomore scored on a counter rush 14 seconds after Bishop Brady killed off a penalty.

Myers credited Bishop Brady for playing hard through the entire game.

Despite the loss, Green Giants coach Ed Seney was happy to see his team have success both scoring and on the penalty kill. Bishop Brady, which has 15 players on its roster, held the Bulldogs scoreless on their three power-play opportunities. The Green Giants’ four goals marked their second-highest single-game output of the season.

“With our group, being as limited as we are as far as the numbers situation, we’re just trying to get these guys to get better every game,” Seney said.

Ben Bernard and Shea Guimont combined for 15 saves for the Bulldogs. Nathaniel Pushee and Matt Strickland made a combined 20 stops for Bishop Brady.

“I just thought (Bedford’s) depth obviously overwhelmed us a little bit,” Seney said.