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SPORTS: Groton-Dunstable Overwhelms Dracut; Wins the ALS Hockey Tournament; Hunter's Two Goals Leads Crusaders

Groton-Dunstable senior Brendan Hunter scored a pair of goals to lead Crusaders to an impressive 8-1 win over Dracut in the 6th Annual "Ice ALS" Holiday Hockey Tournament.

In the semi-final game against Lowell Catholic, GD senior Kip Strong scored in the overtime shootout sending Crusaders to the finals against Dracut who was a 3-1 winner over Everett.

Brad Zadrozny (assists: Mike Keating, CJ Kenny) scored at 5:37 of the second period but Lowell Catholic knotted the game with just under three minutes remaining in the period. Teams were scoreless through the third period. Jack Niemoller, in goal for GD, stopped 20 shots he faced including five in overtime.

In finals on Tuesday, Crusaders had too much overall speed and cruised past Dracut.

Brad Zadrony (assists: Alan Haynes, Mike Keating) opened scoring on a power play goal in the first period and, despite out-shooting the Middies 15-5 over that stretch, GD had only a slim 1-0 lead. "We started slowly but we have four lines working hard and they (Dracut) could not skate with us," said head coach Phil Rowley.

Crusaders broke the game open in the middle period with goals by Josh Rabbitt

(assist: Connor Maguire), Matt Ovenden (assists: Brad Zadrozny, Anthony Resca), Bradley Garside (assist: Nathan Rabbitt),Brendan Hunter (assist: Connor Maguire). Dracut stopped the Crusader assault with a power play goal with 4:35 remaining in the period but Allan Haynes (PP) answered, ripping a shot past beleaguered Middie goalie Drew McKay who saw 54 shots on the night.

  In the third stanza, GD added goals by Nathan Rabbitt (unassisted) and Hunter (assists: Derek March, Michael Cole). "He (Hunter) is a regular scoring machine," said assistant coach Jeff March.

  "We had a solid team effort, worked hard, stayed focused and Jason Robes (15 saves) did a good job for us," said a pleased Rowley. "We have Hudson on Saturday. They are the defending Division 3 state champions and that should be a good test for us."

  Crusaders wore green ribbons on their helmets in respect for the victims of the Newtown tragedy.

  The ALS Tournament, played at Janas Rink in Lowell, is hosted by Dracut High School to honor Justin Brace. Justin is a former Dracut High hockey play who contracted ALS in 2004 at age 21.  At the time, it is believed he was the youngest person in America with ALS. "Justin has struggled with the disease for eight years and his condition continues to decline but his mind is sharp," said his father.  Justin is a huge Bruins and Red Sox fan and never misses a game on television. Each year Dracut High School runs this tournament to help fund ALS research and has been able to donate more than $30,000 in the last four years. 

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