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It's strange, at this point in the season, that Danvers (4-2-2) would have an 11-day layoff between games (in a non-exam week, no less).

"We'll be doing bowling, arts and crafts ... anything to stay busy as a team," joked head coach Kevin Brown.

Kyle Larson made it official last night: the first line freshman left wing can not only play a regular shift for the Danvers High hockey team, but he can also be a difference maker on a nightly basis.

Keep an eye on Danvers freshman left wing Kyle Larson. Having already acquitted himself quite nicely on the Falcons' first line with captain Steve Kontos on the other side and Troy Thibodeau at center, Larson has a goal and two assists in his first three varsity games.

What didn't this game have?

There were big hits, big saves and big goals. There were plenty of power plays, a bevy of backchecking and a cavalcade of chances for both teams.

We saw a freshman forward score on a freshman goaltender; the lead see-saw back and forth like a broken teeter-tooter, and even a rare, rocket shot from center ice that beat one of the goaltenders cleanly.

SALEM | True, the game ended in a tie.

But it felt like so much more to the Big Blue of Swampscott.

Trailing by two goals with under three minutes to play, Swampscott rallied in dramatic fashion as captain Keith Morgan and defenseman Sam Rakoc both connected late, forcing a 3-3 stalemate with Danvers on opening night of the 2007-08 high school hockey season.

Last year's record: 9-7-5 (lost to Gloucester, 4-1, in Division 2 North first round)

Coach: Kevin Brown (2nd year, 9-7-5)

Key returnees: Pat O'Kane, Sr. G (8-7-5, 2.57 GAA); Steve Kontos, Sr. LW (14-8-22); Jake Korthas, Sr. D (3-10-13); Jay Sabino, Sr. RW (4-1-5); John Curran, Sr. C (1-3-4); Troy Thibodeau, Jr. C (1-3-4); Colin Cooper, Jr. C/W (2-2-4); D.J. Yost, Soph. F (0-3-3); Brett Spencer, Sr. D (2-1-3); Dylan Carr, Jr. D (0-1-1).