On Saturday, Jan. 17, the BFA-St. Albans Comets’ hockey team celebrated the program’s historic 400th win. The win took place in Hanover, NH, on December 28, with a 1-0 victory over Essex, but a lengthy road game stretch postponed the celebration.
The win was the 400th for the program and for the original coaches, Luke Cioffi and Jeff Rouleau.
Greg Bessette
The Comets hosted the Kingdom Blades, winning a 7-0 shutoutm but before the game, Comet athletes Jillian Smith and Marah McGinn shared speeches with the crowd.
Jillian Smith: On behalf of the team, we wanted to take a moment to congratulate our coaches, Coach Cioffi and Coach Rouleau. Congratulations on earning your 400th win. We are so lucky to be a part of this special milestone.
Not only does this reflect you both as individuals, but the amazing team you are. Your teamwork and leadership set the bar high for us to follow.
We thank you so much for the dedication and commitment you put into us and this program; we couldn’t do it without you. Thank you for always pushing us not only to become better hockey players, but more importantly, better people.
Greg Bessette
Marah McGinn: Although many people may believe that this accomplishment is only because we are simply the Comets, those people fail to see what goes on behind the scenes. Our coaches’ loyalty to the program is clear; every day, they expect us to get a little bit better, challenge each other, and try new things.
They set the standards high because they know our limits and they believe in us. To them, we are not just hockey players — we are humans, people they care so deeply about. But not just us — everyone who’s worn these jerseys, whether that’s those who have come before us or the ones who will follow us. Because that’s just the type of people they are.
The Comets wasted no time, putting up three goals in the first. Marah McGinn completed her hat-trick in the second, scoring back ot back goals roughly a minute apart. The final goal came in the third, securing the shutout.
Greg Bessette
Comet highlights: Marah McGinn led the Comets with three goals and an assist. Chatham Brouillette, Emma Caster, Kali Cushing, and Marian Pearson-Stanley each had one. Cushing had four assists, Reina Spaulding had three, while Hailey Lanfear, Caster, Lilly Ferraro, Jillian Smith, and Aiyana Lamos each had one. Anna Hibbard had 8 saves. Celia Faherty had 19 saves for the Kingdom Blades.