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‘The Wall’ ends breakout season with a bang

Monday, March, 16 By David Willis
Staff writer

MANCHESTER, N.H. — As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Pinkerton goalie J.J. Solloway took his hardest hit of the game. It knocked his helmet clear off and sent him to the ice, courtesy of teammate Andrew Stefanelli.

“I still have a headache from that,” said Solloway rubbing his head, with a smile from ear to ear. “Stef came out and, BANG, a head butt right to the head. It happened after the (Bishop Guertin) game, too. I still feel it, but it was worth it.”

The Astros can be forgiven for being a bit overly exuberant in embracing their star goaltender.

“They always say that in the playoffs, goaltending wins,” said Pinkerton coach Casey Kesselring. “That’s why we won the state title, because J.J. was the best goaltender in the tournament.”

Who could argue with the sixth-year coach. If anyone wondered if Solloway could top his performance against BG, he answered those doubters last night.

With legions of Pinkerton fans holding signs that read “Solloway is: The Wall” the goalie was a force, making 32 saves in the 3-0 Division 1 state final victory over Hanover at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

“The All-State team is coming out next week and I think J.J. got snubbed,” said Kesselring. “So this was a little vindication. He had a special season.”

It was third shutout of the season for Solloway, who finished the regular season with a 1.8 goals-against average and made 31 saves and allowed just one goal in the semifinal win over two-time defending champ BG. That performance earned him plenty of headlines, but he didn’t feel the pressure heading into the biggest game of his career.

“It was awesome,” he said. “Seeing all the articles was fun. No pressure. I just knew I had to keep winning.”

Not bad for someone who was not considered the starter at the opening of camp.

Solloway had to work. Hanover held Pinkerton to just 15 shots for the entire game, including only two in the final period. The Marauders, on the other hand, peppered Solloway for much of the night. But he was more than up to the task.

“I love being the difference-maker,” said Solloway. “I like to control of the flow of the game. I love my position and I love this sport.”

His biggest saves came in the third, one an outstanding glove stop on a slapper from the point, in which he went to the ice before grabbing it out of the air. He also made a standout butterfly save on a Marauder trying to stuff the puck five-hole.

After he went to the bench during a Hanover time out, Solloway received a standing ovation as he made his way back to his position. But he did his best to play it cool, only acknowledging with a glance. The goaltender was the talk throughout both sides of the stands, and at any snack stand.

“J.J. is unbelievable,” said teammate Teddy McCarran. “Before games he is so focused. He sits down with his headphones and is just on another world.”

But as the celebration roared on the ice, Solloway could be seen squirting teammates with water and hugging anyone in sight. He then received another beating, from adoring fans leaning over the stands as he hustled down the runway to the locker room.

“J.J. was amazing tonight,” said senior Billy McCarran, Teddy’s older brother. “He has had an amazing season. I am so happy that he was my goaltender.”

He certainly lived up to “The Wall” nickname last night.