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SPORTS: Crusaders Keep Skating!

In a non-conference hockey game, CJ Kenny, Derek March and Brad Zadrozny scored two goals each to fuel Groton-Dunstable's 8-0 shutout over Nashoba Regional at the Groton School Rink. Michael Keating and Adam Kmetz tallied one goal each as the Crusaders improved to 5-0-1 in the Roy Conference and 13-1-2 overall.

The Chieftains, playing in the Coughlin Division, came into the GD game with an impressive 6-2-1, 9-4-2 record.

That changed quickly! Along with senior captains Allan Haynes and Mike Keating on defense, Groton-Dunstable hockey coach Phil Rowley started his freshmen checking line, Eric Niemoller, Michael McDonough and Michael Cole. "They work hard, contribute, skate and deserve a chance to start a game," said Rowley.

With just over three minutes played in the opening period, Mike Keating ripped a slap shot from the right point that Chieftain goalie Luke Gilchrest never saw. That was the extent of the scoring over the first 15 minutes despite GD outshooting NR, 12-2 and killing off three penalties.

More often than not, the Crusaders out-skate and outshoot their opponents. Goals from CJ Kenny (assist: Josh Rabbitt) 1:08 in the second, Derek March (unassisted) and Brad Zadrozny who finished off a rebound from a Keating blast from the point at 7:47, had the locals up 4-0 after two periods. "They're good and they'll roll four lines at you," Nashoba head coach Steve Kendall said of Groton-Dunstable. "We got through the first down 1-0, but it just went downhill from there." 

GD peppered the Chieftain keeper with 20 shots in the middle stanza but Gilchrest, despite missing a few, made some excellent saves. 

CJ Kenny's (assist: Josh Rabbitt) and Derek March's (unassisted) second goal, an Adam Kmetz (assist: CJ Kenny) power play goal at 7:40 of the third had GD up by a touchdown and extra point.

Brad Zadrozny broke through the neutral zone, down the left side, cut to the middle and beat Gilchrest to cap off the scoring in a game that saw GD outshoot Nashoba 48-9. Wonder what he was counting in his sleep last night?

"They were big and physical but we continue to get good effort and goals from all four lines. We worked hard and out-skated them," smiled Rowley.

There are no 20-25 goal scorers on the team but the Crusaders win by depending on scoring up and down the line-up. Senior Allan Haynes leads the team in scoring with 13 points, six goals and seven assists while classmate Brad Zadrozny follows with nine goals and three assists, (12 points). The goaltending duo with Jason Robes (6 goals allowed, 1.20 GAA) and Jack Neimoller ( 15 goals allowed, 1.67 GAA) has been outstanding.

With a win against Leominster Wednesday, the Crusaders would claim the Roy Conference title.

Central Mass. Division 3/3A

Hockey Media Poll

1. Wachusett    10-1-2

2. Grotn/Dun   13-1-2

3.Shrewsbury   10-3-1

4. Worcester    13-1-1

5. Marlboro      10-4-0

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