Libby nets four, KPM skates past Manchester Queens, 7-3

MANCHESTER, NH – Cassidy Libby scored four goals, including the game-winner late in the second period, to lift Kingswood-Prospect Mountain past Manchester, 7-3, in girls’ hockey action, Saturday afternoon at the JFK Arena.

KFP (4-6-0) has won three of their last four games, including two straight against the Queens.

Despite the loss, Manchester (2-5-0) played one of its strongest games of the season. The Queens generated 27 shots on goal, as the offense continues to show significant improvement. After scoring a combined one goal in losses to  Pinkerton, Bishop Brady and Kearsage, Manchester has erupted for 12 goals in its past three games.

“The last few practices we’ve been working on puck movement and spreading the ice. Early in the season we were clumping too much,” said Manchester Assistant Coach Madi Demers. “Now, we’re working on accurate passing and getting it to our points and having them take a shot and the wings collapsing on the net (for rebounds).”

Manchester kept the game close through two periods. With the Queens trailing, 3-2, Ryleigh McNelly tied with game with a stellar individual effort. Scooping up a loose puck near the red line, she broke toward the attack zone, deking KPM defenseman Heidi Roiter out of her skates. McNelly cut in on goalie Aliyah Arsenault and fired a shot the clanged off the post. Arsenault lost track of the puck as it dropped into the crease and McNelly poked it into the net, tying the score, 3-3, with 2:00 to play in the period.

Unfortunately, any hope of carrying momentum into the locker room went out the window when Libby struck for the third time, beating Queens’ goalie Chloe Gilroy (23 saves) with a wrist shot just under the crossbar, with 45 seconds remaining.

The third period belonged to KPM, as wore down a Manchester squad that doesn’t enjoy the same depth. The KnightWolves made a concerted effort to spread their attack, forcing the rapidly tiring Queens’ defense to cover as much ice as possible.

Goals by KPM’s Jenny Baldwin and Libby in the first four minutes of the period stretched the lead to 6-3. Jenna Sykes would account for the final goal at 7:28.

“Defense is such a hard position to play and we’ve got a lot of new girls out there, girls that are playing hockey for the first time this year,” said Demers. So, we’re working with them on their skills, being where they need to be at the right time, knowing when to pinch and when not to pinch.”

Manchester got off to a quick start, skating on strong legs and peppering Arsenault with shots. The Queens were finally able to break the scoreless tie when Rylee Page scored the first of her two goals with 1:54 to play in the period. As she chased down the puck in the attack zone, she was nearly to the goal line when she snapped it toward the net. Despite the horrific angle, the puck somehow snuck between Arsenault and the post for a 1-0 lead.

But the lead would last just 38 seconds, when Libby began her scoring barrage, sending the game into the first intermission tied, 1-1.

Libby struck again early in the second period, giving KPM its first lead, 2-1.

Two minutes later, Page capped off Manchester’s best power play of the year when she poked home her own rebound to tie the game, 2-2. The Queens put six shots on goal during the power play. The goal was a well deserved reward for the work the PP unit put in.

“They moved the puck really well. Communication was key,” said Demers. “Our girls worked so hard, especially the girls that were out there on that power play. They just worked so well together.”

KPM regained the lead midway through the period, on a goal from Gilpatrick. It stayed that way until McNelly’s tying goal at the 2:00 mark.