Lessard, Hinse lift Manchester past South-Pelham, 5-2

NASHUA, NH — Jake Lessard scored a pair of goals and Kayden Hinse turned aside 31 shots, leading Manchester to a 5-2 win over South-Pelham, Saturday afternoon at Conway Arena.

The five goals represent the highest offensive output of the season for Manchester (2-3-0). Four of them came after Head Coach Jeremy Baker had given a fiery speech in the lockerroom following a lackluster first period.

“I wasn’t happy with the way they were working. We weren’t forechecking the way we’re capable. It was lackadaisical,” said Baker. “The second period we came out with a better effort. I told them there is skating, skating and skating like your hair’s on fire.”

Manchester outshot South-Pelham, 12-5, in that second period. Goals by Frank Tessier and Andrue McLaughlin gave Manchester a 3-0 lead and firm control of the game.

Tessier’s goal was an impressive individual effort. He made a rush down the right side and swooped around the net, only to be stymied by S-P goalie Noah Soule when he tried to beat him short side.But Tessier chased down his own rebound, 15 feet in front of the net, pivoted and snapped off a shot that found the back of the net just under the crossbar.

The story of the game for South-Pelham was missed opportunities, especially early on.

15 of Hinse’s saves came in the first period, as South-Pelham (0-4-0) carried the play and kept Manchester pinned in their own end for lengthy stretches.

Dan Ramalho, Andrew Byrne and Broden Landsteiner all had chances to put South-Pelham on top, only to be frustrated time and again by Hinse.

”We’re a team that still doesn’t have an identity,” said S-P Head Coach Jorden Sarracco. “We’re still trying to find that. We’re a team that should win a lot of hockey games, should compete in a lot of hockey games. Right now, we don’t believe that.”

Buoyed by the play of their goaltender, Manchester began gathering momentum late in the first period. Connor Cunningham nearly broke the scoreless tie with just under four minutes to play but Houle made the save on his blast from the point and then pounced on the rebound as it trickled toward the goal line.

With just under a minute left in the period, Manchester broke the ice. McLaughlin sent Marden on a clean breakaway up the middle of the neutral zone. Marden walked in alone and beat Houle (32 saves) for a 1-0 lead.

”That goal at the end of the first period was kind of deflating. Took the wind out of our sails a little,” said Sarracco. “We didn’t come out and play our game in that second period.”

Already up 3-0 entering the third period, Manchester seemingly put the game on ice on a power play goal by Lessard off a beautiful centering pass from Ty Adams.

But South-Pelham wasn’t quite done. Making the most of their own man advantage, S-P got a power play goal from Gavin Asimakopulos, who knocked in a rebound.

Moments later, S-P struck again. This time it was Ramalho, scoring off the rebound of a Brendon Doughty shot to cut the Manchester lead to 4-2 with 5:48 left to play.

”Yeah, we fell asleep a little. It is what it is,” said Baker. “I was playing some kids in there that normally don’t get a lot of ice time.”

South-Pelham pressed the attack, looking to complete the unlikely comeback but it was not to be. Instead, Lessard netted his second of the game with 1:34 left to settle matters.

Saturday’s win marked the first of six straight road games for Manchester. Next up is a visit to Goffstown on Wednesday.

South-Pelham will also be on the road Wednesday, visiting Bow for a 7:30 game.