At the Senior Hockey Classic inside the Icenter in Salem, Neighborhood-area players approached the March 17 game with an eye toward enjoyment.

But each took the ice with a clearcut determination to play hard, play well – and play on.

The White team came back from a pair of two-goal deficits to tie the match, 4-4, then beat the Black squad in a shootout.

More importantly to these athletes, the contest was a chance to prove they deserved to represent the Granite State in the New Hampshire-Vermont Make-A-Wish game in late June.

“We have to make that determination not just on goals scored or goals allowed, but on how well these players skate, pass and show their understanding of the game,” said Goffstown High mentor Peter Bedford, part of White’s winning coaching staff along with West High’s Bob Rougier.

Two local players from White, goalie Corey Cotnoir of Bow and forward Matt Denning of Bishop Brady, joined a quartet of Black’s best with Neighborhood ties – forward Jay Paradis and defenseman Patrick Jaeger of Salem, and forwards Sean Polombo of Trinity and Colin Merrit of Memorial – as Make-A-Wish selections.

And West defenseman James Ahern was picked as an alternate for the team, which travels to Burlington, Vt., from June 21 to 23.

However, they weren’t the Neighborhood’s only shining stars at the Icenter.

Pembroke’s Tyler Rumfelt, one of a handful of Division III players among the 42 invited to the classic, said the action was faster than he faced all season in D-III, but that didn’t prevent him from scoring White’s first goal in the second period, cutting the Black lead in half.

“Everyone’s out there showing what they’ve got,” said Rumfelt.

“You want to win, but you also want to have fun, too.”

Salem’s Jaeger agreed. He took an approach that was similar to most athletes on the ice that night.

“I just wanted to skate nice and loose, and have a good time.

But it’s still competitive,” said Jaeger, who assisted on Pat O’Kane’s tally late in the second period, giving Black its last two-goal lead, 4-2.

Kyle Charbonneau of Memorial said it was interesting to get to know – at least a little better – some of the athletes he’s faced only as foes. The experience, he said, only increased his respect for all of them.

Game notes
Salem’s Paradis assisted on Mike Tiano’s goal late in the first period, giving Black a 2-0 lead.

Bow’s Cotnoir faced 14 first period shots in White’s net, stopping 12. The keeper left the arena immediately after his stint for personal reasons, but he also left a good impression on both coaching staffs – Mark McGinn of Salem was one of Black’s mentors – because he’s one of just two goalies who’ll make the trip to Vermont.

For a complete box score and the Make-A-Wish roster, visit nhhockey.com.