Veteran Nashua North-Souhegan goalie Colin Duckless has played some of his best games against rival Nashua South-Pelham,. The two teams tangle today at 5 p.m. at Conway Arena. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – Friday night is always known as High School Hoop Night around the area.

Except tonight. It’s Hockey Night in Nashua.

Sure, there are a ton of high school basketball games on the schedule, but at 5 p.m. the Nashua North-Souhegan and Nashua South-Pelham hockey teams will clash at Conway Arena as part of the annual Battle of the Bridge rivalry.

The game was originally slated for Saturday afternoon, but because of the expected snowstorm, it was moved up rather than play it at a later date.

And for both teams, since they’ve struggled mightily this winter – just two wins between them – this game may be their season. The South-Pelham Kings come into it with a record of 1-6-1 while the North-Souhegan Saber Titans are 1-8. Six of their losses have been by two goals or less; the Kings have lost by an average of five goals, their 3-0 defeat suffered at the hands of Keene in their season opener being the closest.

However, they own a big win over Division II Goffstown, 2-1, and tied another Division II team, Alvirne-Milford, 5-5. The Saber-Titans’ lone win came over Windham, 3-2.

North is paced by its top line of Chase McBride, Chris Weeden and Will Dodge, plus defenseman Ryan Ducharme and goalie Colin Duckless, who has played well in this rivalry in the past.

The Kings, meanwhile, have been counting on forwards such as Peter Gamache and Nate Smith, with Chase Devine anchoring the defense. often in front of goalie Riley Pelletier.

Getting sustained offensive pressure seems to have been an issue for both teams thus far. The Saber-Titans have 19 goals on the season, but the Kings just nine.

But this is their biggest game of the year, and history shows both teams play like it as far as the intensity and quality of play goes.

“This is the most excited and ready to play that I’ve seen our team this season,” Kings coach Jordan Sarracco said. “They really look forward to this rivalry game, and are ready to take home the win.”

Same for the Saber-Titans.

“The kids are excited for sure,” North-Souhegan coach Bill Kotsifas said. “It’s fun to play against people you played with as kids. Everyone will definitely be ready to go.”

GORHAM SERVICE

Funeral services for former Campbell High School baseball coach Jim Gorham , who passed away last week, have been announced.

There will be a funeral mass at St. Catherine’s in Hudson on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 10:30 a.m.

Gorham coached the Cougars to five state titles during his tenure as the school’s first varsity baseball coach from 2001-2017. He passed due to several non-COVID medical complications he had been suffering from since last July.

BG GIRLS HOOP GAME MOVED

The Cardinals under head coach Brad Kreick always like to play tough, out-of-state opponents, and their game scheduled for Saturday afternoon vs. Cicero North Syracuse has been moved to next Saturday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m. at BG thanks to Saturday’s expected heavy snow.

To beat some of these teams – BG owns wins over LaSalle of Providence, R.I., Central Catholic of Lawrence, Mass. and Mercy (Conn.), but lost to Wachusett Regional and is at Dracut Monday – is a mental boost.

“It’s just a confidence boost,” Cards coach Brad Kreick said. “We now have three wins against good out of state teams. We’re 3-1 in our six games, and we have two tough ones coming up. It’s a confidence boost for these kids; they’re in just about any game they play, and know they can win.

“It doesn’t guarantee they can win, but they believe they can win any game they play. You play enough of those games, whether you win or compete hard and lose, it’s a huge confident boost going into tough (in-state) games down the stretch.”

Kreick was asked the best team the Cards have played.

“I think the best might be Pinkerton and Bedford,” he said. “Those are two pretty darn good basektball teams.”

SATURDAY POSTPONEMENTS

Besides the Guertin girls game, Alvirne-Milford rescheduled its hockey game vs. Manchester Central-West-Memorial at Skate 3 to Sunday.

In wrestling, the Capital City Invitational in Concord, which Hollis Brookline, Alvirne, Merrimack and Souhegan were set to compete in, will also be Sunday.

It’s likely other events – mainly hockey, wrestling and bowling, will be postponed as well. Check school websites for updates.

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