The Griffins handled their part of the bargain. ConVal-Conant needed a win over No. 6 Kennett in the regular-season finale Saturday if they wanted any shot at the Division III playoffs, and win they did, pummeling the Eagles 5-1.
“They played completely engaged,” said head coach Chris Turner. “That was the best hockey I’ve seen them play. They knew the stakes, they came ready to play, it’s the senior game – there’s a lot going on. I’m just so proud of them. They passed well, they moved well, they went to the puck, they did everything right, and it showed.”
The Griffins were finally back at full strength after playing the majority of February with at least one player missing due to injury and illness.
“It’s nice to have everybody and we were firing on all cylinders,” Turner said.
It was senior day for ConVal-Conant, and all their elder statesmen contributed to the win. James Coburn anchored the defense in front of fellow senior Cole Turner, who stood on his head once again, making 32 saves and allowing just one third-period game after the game was all but decided.
“For the most part, he’s consistent, but then there’s always the games where he just stands out, and today was one of those games,” coach Turner, the proud father on senior day, said.
Twin brother Evan Turner sparked the offense, scoring once on a redirect of a shot from senior Preston Kirby, and again on an assist from Quinn Mose; he’d nearly have a hat-trick on a shot that seemed to cross the goal line before Kennett keeper Bryson Wrobleski sat down on it, but it was called back. But, Logan Favart flipped the puck past Wrobleski on the very next play for a goal of his own.
Quinn Mose scored on a one-timer off an assist from Evan Turner and added an empty-net goal late; Elias Niemela, who was in the middle of seemingly every play, made two assists in the game.
“The way they played, they deserve to be in the playoffs,” Turner said. “They left it all on the ice. They came to play to win to go to the next level, and it’s clear that they want to be there.”
The Griffins (6-9-1) needed the win to stay alive, but their fate wasn’t entirely in their hands. Last week’s loss to Laconia-Winnisquam-Inter-Lakes meant that LWI could take the final playoff spot with a win over Pembroke-Campbell later Saturday afternoon. The PAC boys, 3-13 and playing for nothing but pride, pulled it off, and the Griffins took over the seventh and final playoff spot in Division III. The brackets have yet to be released by the NHIAA, but it’s likely the Griffins will travel to No. 2 Belmont-Gilford (13-4) Saturday at 4 p.m.