Coach Mary Vaughan shares, “This year we are grateful for every time we have together as a team. For example, last night I had the team practice outside. It was very cold but we didn’t have to worry about wearing a mask or ice time.” The ice hockey program is getting creative and that is fine with them.
Coach Vaughan emphasizes that this group is up for anything and is super supportive of each other. “Playing in frigid weather, and making it to these practices with everything else they are juggling in their lives is a testament to this team.”
Gorham, along with several other districts in the state, is a co-op team. Some teams have up to six area towns to make up one team. The Gorham ice hockey team is representative of three districts including Fryeburg, Massabesic, Bonny Eagle, and one player on exchange from Italy.
Some games will be blowouts and others will be more challenging, especially when they play a team twice. Coach Vaughn explains, “It’s very hard to beat a team twice. When we play York again, they will know our strengths this time around, that will be a tight matchup. Some programs are really strong this year, some have dipped. Scarborough is one program doing really well. The vibe around the league this year is everyone is just happy to be playing.”
At Falmouth recently, Gorham and Falmouth played a hard-fought game. Despite the penalties, it was a great match-up with several tremendous plays on both sides. Gorham ended with a 4-1 loss. Gorham is now ranked 5th, just under Falmouth. It was two good teams fighting it out.
Coach Vaughn shares, “Being a USM alum and being back at our home rink has been incredible; I have a lot of gratitude.”
Being a co-op team, these friendships are uniquely special. “The seniors have experienced a bizarre high school experience with COVID. Athletes have really struggled to get back to ‘normal’, and I am really impressed with this group, sticking it out. Our seniors along with team captains, Sadie Dyer, Anna Provost, and Cadence Howard continue to set the tone and make it such a fun time to be at practices.” These meaningful connections are making a difference.
Playoff spots and home ice will be determined in the near future.