05/05/2026
Check out this inspiring article highlighting the standout performances of our players, Cooper Dunham, Owen Swanton, and Jake Langlais, from our thrilling first playoff game against Westfield.
https://x.com/MassNZ/status/2051348266055332131?s=20
Cooper Dunham (https://neutralzone.com/player/Cooper-Dunham-85941) #12 (F, L, 6’0″, 179, Danvers HS, 01/01/2008) – is the senior forward and leading point scorer for this Danvers team and he did nothing to dissuade us from the belief that he earned that title over the course of the regular season. He started this game off with a bang early to set the tone offensively by firing home a one-timer on the power play to give his team a lead that they inevitably would not relent. You can tell that he has a strong understanding of how to keep opposing defenders and goaltenders off balance. He isn’t solely looking to fill the scoresheet with meaningless shots on goal. He takes the time to freeze the goaltender before delivering a back door pass, recognizing that he can give his teammate a better look in the process. He also recognized when he had golden opportunities to puck pucks on net from scoring areas. He added a second goal later in the game in a four-on-four situation by crashing the net for a rebound and stuffing it home. He would finish off the hat trick in the third period by taking a quick wrist shot into an open net on the power play. They always say that goal scorers do not require many looks to bury and that certainly was not the case with Dunham in this game. We are curious to see if he continues his hockey career next season at the junior level. Grade: B
Owen Swanton (https://neutralzone.com/player/Owen-Swanton-79616) #10 (F, R, 6’1″, 190, Danvers HS, 09/10/2008) – is a big body junior who also serves as the assistant captain on this Danvers team. He was easy to spot on every shift as one of the bigger players on the ice and his long stick was a factor at both ends. He was able to pull pucks into his possession with relative ease both because of the strength in his hands and the length on his stick. He also was a problem on the defensive end as he got his stick into passing lanes to interrupt the flow of offense. His strength on his stick meant that it was very difficult to take it away from him once he gained possession, especially deep in the attacking zone. We also appreciated his willingness to throw his weight around and he set the tone for this game delivering a huge hit along the bench which ultimately was a warning shot for the opposition. The strength in his hands was also beneficial at the faceoff dot as he won a number of critical draws at key moments in this game. To help seal the upset victory for his team he scored a goal late in this game, making a nice dip to the net around a defender and firing it five hole through the goaltender to put this game away. He is well worth another watch next year as a senior as we feel like he will likely be playing his best hockey in his final year of eligibility. Grade: B
Jake Langlais (https://neutralzone.com/player/Jake-Langlais-85940) #9 (D, L, 5’8″, 155, Danvers HS, 01/04/2008) – is the senior assistant captain on defense for this Danvers roster and we thought he was one of the more dynamic skaters on the ice in this playoff game against Westfield. He is undersized and wiry as a defenseman but that certainly did not hurt him in any capacity in this game. His quick feet allowed him to easily evade traffic and gave him clear lanes to fire pucks on net. He understood how to clear the defender before he took shots and he also made smart lateral passes under duress. His edgework was very good and his willingness to keep his feet moving allowed him to win races to loose pucks and put himself in good scoring areas in the attacking zone. Going up against bigger opposing players he was able to rip pucks away because he put himself in good position to A-frame and win those battles. He certainly showed no fear in the attacking zone going to the net front on the power play and digging for loose pucks. He was quick to keep pucks in with sharp lateral steps at the blue line and those extended possessions in the offensive zone led to trouble for the opposition. He may not have gotten himself on the scoresheet in this game but he was a huge reason why his team had so many positive outcomes in the offensive zone. Grade: B
