Three thoughts on the BVS hockey's stunning win in OT

BURRILLVILLE — An encore might be needed between Blackstone Valley School hockey and Burrillville/Ponaganset.

It doesn’t have to be at Levy Rink – or any rink – some old school pond hockey would suffice for these two programs. Alex Pickering would certainly sign up for extra time against the state’s newest co-op. The BVS senior played hero on his rebound effort with under 10 seconds remaining in regulation to knot the hosts on Dec. 2.

He then lifted Blackstone, in overtime, for a 4-3 victory and the co-op’s second win over Burrillville/Ponaganset in six days. Pickering beat Burrillville/Ponaganset to the net for a backdoor winner and ended the match with 1:32 left in overtime.

“We knew from last game, especially with this goalie, he likes pop-out rebounds low,” Pickering said. “On the power play they just kept feeding me, and they would go to the net and look for the rebound.”

Here's more on the overtime win:

Pickering picks his spots

BVS was searching for its go-ahead goal throughout the third period and racked up 15 shots in the process. Two power play opportunities were killed off by the hosts and overtime was beckoning with the match tied 2-2.

But then Burrillville/Ponaganset struck, on just one of its eight shots in the frame, when Rodney Frenette went up the left wing and unleashed a shot from distance. He followed his own rebound and finished off the sequence with a goal and a 3-2 lead for the hosts with 3:14 left.

Pickering’s response? Light the lamp on a short-handed goal as BVS fans were packing for the doors.

“At minimum, [we need to play] like our third period,” Pickering said. “But we definitely want to step it up a couple steps and start stronger and take the team out right away.”

The extra period, a 4-on-4 five-minute frame, saw both teams send skaters to the penalty box before Pickering landed his winner from the crease. It’s BVS’ second victory against Burrillville/Ponaganset after it beat the co-op, 5-2, in a holiday tournament earlier this week.

“We started off the season not-so-hot,” Cam Governo said. “But we’re bouncing back right now and this win in overtime really propelled us. It really showed us what we can do when we really dig deep and find ourselves in the third period.”

Corey Cohle scored the Knights’ opening goal in the first period and Jaxon Boyes tied the match at 2-all at 11:28 of the third frame.

BVS back to Schneider Arena?

It’s Year 3 for the BVS co-op, which includes students from St. Raphael/Providence Country Day/North Providence/North Smithfield. Johnston High School was also in the original creation of the co-op in its first year when it lost in the Division II championship.

More teams could join, or drop, as the state continues its trend of co-ops in hockey, but the Knights winning ways have been a theme for a few years. The program reached Schneider Arena again last season before falling to Portsmouth in the semifinals. And with plenty of returnees to the lineup, it could find itself back in Providence again this season.

“We just need to keep the gas pedal on all game,” BVS senior goalie, Jacob Faria said. “The second period got a little sloppy, but that kind of happens in some games. As long as we keep the gas down all game, everything will work out.”

Building a rivalry with co-ops

They won’t see each other again this year with Burrillville/Ponaganset playing in Division I. But there should be an outdoor venue somewhere that could host a third meeting.

There was a natural rivalry brewing at Levy Rink with plenty of students that had crossed paths previously. With more schools, and students, playing hockey, it’s an easy way for fun rivalries to begin in the co-op era.

“That felt great,” Pickering said of the win. “I grew up playing with [Burrillville goalie] Michael Tremblay in net.”

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Final result from BVS hockey vs. Burrillville/Ponaganset in overtime