After a nice quarterfinal win at home, it was time for an exciting D2 Semifinal game, the third year in a row ORHS reached that position in the playoffs.

Despite a terrific ORHS season and a #3 ranking going into the playoffs, everyone was nervous. Two reasons. Your opponent was #2 seeded Dover, a red hot team that’s won its fair share of state titles over the past several years. Reason number two? The game was taking place in Concord, NH at the dreaded Everett arena, scene of many, repeated playoff losses for you and many earlier ORHS teams.

There was reason for optimism however! Your team had been playing great, allowing only 7 goals over the previous five games combined. During the regular season, Dover and OR split their meetings with OR beating Dover, 4-3 to open the season, and Dover beating the Bobcats 5-4 in February.

The nervous vibe grew worse as Dover stayed red hot, erupting for four third period goals on the way to their 10th straight win, a 7-3 victory over your hard playing, yet stunned, Bobcats.

Damn you Dover, you’ve won enough titles! FU Everett Arena, you are nothing but jinxes and curses.

Until then, congrats on a great season – it was amazing because after losing nine seniors, you guys ended up in the #3 position and made it to the Semifinals. It’s fair to say no one expected this kind of turnaround performance. You had a great Junior year of ORHS hockey. Very proud of you!

Here’s hoping your final season, your Senior 2023-2024 season – will break the curse and produce a historic good vibe outcome. Never give up! Never quit! Keep on believing!