After a taste of the postseason in 2009, the Bedford hockey team is ready for a larger portion next season.

The sixth-seeded Bulldogs chowed down on No. 3 seed Somersworth on Saturday, March 7, in a 3-1 victory, but were sent home with an empty feeling following a 7-1 thumping from Kennett in the Division-III semifinals on Tuesday, March 10.

Bedford allowed one goal in the first period, fighting off a potent Eagles attack thanks in part to spectacular saves by goaltender Ben Firman, who fended off 15 of 16 shots he faced in the opening frame.

However, nine more shots on goal in the second period led to three Kennett goals. Bedford, meanwhile, mustered nine shots combined in the first two periods.

The Eagles added three third-period goals to cruise. “We were flat from the start,” said Bedford head coach Matt Guerard. “They came flying at us and really kept the pressure on. The experience factor got us a bit today.”

Bedford suits up six juniors, but the first-year varsity program has no one with Division III playoff experience.

“When you’ve been (to the postseason) and know what it brings, you can battle back if you get down a few goals,” said Guerard.

“It was really hard for us to do that without the experience. The jitters left after the first period, and in the second I thought we came out with a lot of confidence.”

Trailing, 4-0, Bedford came to life when a Kennett skater committed the game’s first penalty with 13:05 remaining in the third period. The power play helped the Bulldogs crack the scoreboard.

Mike Ahearn, from his stomach, poked a rebound at Kennett’s goaltender, and offensive standout Trevor Sonovick pounded the puck home.

Soon after, though, Kennett grabbed all momentum back, scoring three goals in just 1:56 to put the game away.

Despite the seven goals allowed, Firman put in a solid effort in net.

“We put Ben in a really tough situation,” said Guerard. “He came up big. We tried to rally for him but just couldn’t get enough flow on offense.”

Guerard said the regular-season and playoff run were special for the players and the school, and the coach said he hopes it builds a fan base for next season.

A playoff win was the first course for the Bulldogs, and in its second, and likely final, season in D-III next year, Guerard said his squad plans to depart with a full stomach.

“The biggest thing we can take out of this is the experience. They’ll know the atmosphere, the noise, what it takes,” said Guerard. “We tried to do too much individually out there, and it came back to bite us in the end.”