Down two goals after the first period, the Spartans became engaged in a shootout at Tri-Town Arena.

Actually, with the scoring so one-sided, an ambush may be a more proper description.

The scoreboard favored Con-Val, 4-2, during the early morning Division-III ice hockey contest on Monday, Jan. 21, when Pembroke went on a 9-1 scoring streak, winning the contest, 11-5, and sending notice to D-III opponents that PA has the potential to be this season’s John Stark.

Last year, the middle-of-thepack Generals rode an improbable postseason run to the title game.

“The parity of Division III is interesting this year, so it’s important we keep the other teams guessing as much as we can,” said Pembroke head coach Marc Noel. “Some of the coaches we’re seeing are slating us as a dark horse come playoff time.”

Following a 4-0 setback at undefeated Kennett on Jan. 16, Noel looked at the schedule and told his players they needed to win the next three contests – against Con-Val, 4-4-0 Hollis- Brookline and 0-7-1 Portsmouth – if they wanted a chance at the No. 4 seed and a home playoff game, or at the very least a favorable first-round matchup.

The first step is complete for 5-4-0 Pembroke.

Senior Nate Komm earned his first start in goal against Con-Val, keeping the contest close while turning away six shots, then Zachary Gagnon came into the game and shut the visitors down.

Junior defenseman Doug Turnbull provided a hat trick, while senior forward Jordan MacRae lit the lamp twice and added an assist.

Marc Racine added four helpers and one score, and Cory Pinsonneault found the back of the net twice.

Chris Allen, Jennifer Poulin and Jerry Jarnigan each contributed a goal as well.

“I think it was the longest game in the history of mankind,” said Noel.

In the third period, Con-Val’s starting goaltender was hurt, and with no backup to turn to, one of its skaters was asked to suit up and take over. Pembroke scored three more times.

But Noel said winning so decisively isn’t easy. Drawing players solely from Chichester, Allenstown and Pembroke makes it tough for him to skate more than two lines on a nightly basis. Larger schools – like Concord and Central, which draws from Hooksett – skate three or four lines each contest.

That just means the athletes must focus on fundamentals, said the coach.

“When we’re winning our hockey games, it has to be generated from a full team effort,” he said.

Last season, the Spartans faced a 7-0 deficit to Kennett in the first period at home. This year, on the road, the contest was scoreless after the first frame and competitive the entire game. Moreover, they played 6-2-0 Somersworth well at the Christmas tournament, falling 5-3 to the D-III power.

“It seems that we’re losing to some of the faster teams, but if you look at the context of the game, you can see a difference,” said Noel. “These kids just have to continue to realize they need to play every period of every game, and as long as they do that, they’re going to be in every game. It may come down to the bounce of the puck or just something as simple as getting the puck to the net.”

Even if the Spartans fall short of tournament success this time around, the future looks promising; 13 of 16 varsity players, including eight juniors, are slated to return.

“We’re hoping to make some noise in the playoffs this year, and if we make enough, maybe we’ll end up in the Verizon Center (in Manchester for the Frozen Four),” he said. “If not, well, next year is required by law.”