The curse is broken! The monkey is off your back! Congrats on a thrilling, historic 4-0 Semifinal win over Alvirne-Milford in the Division II state hockey semifinals.
Concord’s Everett Arena has been a pain in the ass for Oyster River hockey players, coaches and fans for many years. Games never ended well – for decades! My February 28, 2016 blog tells a story you never forgot that ended in tears. The memories haven’t been any better for Oyster River HIgh School, having lost hockey championship games there four years in a row in earlier decades.
Over the years your Dad always said, “I hate playing there, we never win.” The outcome finally changed today and you played a pivotal role.
Your team entered the playoffs with tempered confidence as the #2 seed, knowing you’d have to earn everything in “one and done” situations that require incredible concentration, great play and focus. The OR seniors and Juniors remembered the semifinal collapse two years earlier when an OR squad with nine seniors were too optimistic, too cocky and didn’t play the way you need to play to win.
Grammy and I were nervous, I can’t imagine how you and your teammates felt. The only photo I took was in warmups; I needed to concentrate 100% on the game!
About halfway through a physical first period, you made a pinpoint pass through three defending Alvirne players that landed perfectly on Liam Eddy’s tape, assisting on what turned out to be the game winning goal. OR 1, Alvirne 0. Oyster River fans erupted – it’s always a relief to score the first goal, especially early in the game.
There was a Cam Beaupre Zen moment I’ll always remember between the first and second periods. The teams were back on the ice, skating around before the face off. I watched you break away from your team mates, skating alone, skating toward the glass on our side of the rink. The score was 2-0, still anybody’s game with three periods to play. I don’t know exactly what you were thinking in that moment, but to my mind’s eye you were in a total mindfulness state, psyching yourself up for what had to happen, what you needed to do to break the curse and make a W a reality for the first time ever. The look of determination was all over your face.
Thirty seconds into the second period you skillfully tipped a shot from the point, giving the OR Bobcats the always sought after 3-0 lead. It was a Camden Beaupre classic, a Zen moment. You were in the spot where you’ve scored most goals throughout your career – high up in the slot in the goalie crease where the action is hottest. A beautiful goal. The announcer got the names wrong, but we all knew you were the one who got it past the goalie. They made the correction for the media and you got the credit you deserved.
With two minutes left to play, Braiden got the fourth goal and we ALL finally took a breath, seeing and believing the curse had finally listed. It was the single most exciting moment of your entire career. Amazing to think you’ll be playing in the State Championship game in Manchester at the SNHU Arena in three days against Spaulding which had defeated Dover in the opener.
Love this photo of you approaching your ecstatic waiting supporters after the game. How do you spell R-E-L-I-E-F?!
I will continue my strategy of taking zero for granted and not talking about the outcome as we approach the Finals. Yes, the good luck underwear I wore for the Quarterfinal and Semifinal wins will be back on the old body. You can’t be too sure about anything.
