Thursday, March 22, 2007 Older Editions

Hockey effort built some 'dye'-hard fans

By Brian Messenger

Even Tucker Mullin couldn't bring it home for Andover.

The talented senior and record-breaking goal scorer was clearly the best skater on the ice in Sunday's 2-0 loss to Hanover in the Division 2 state hockey final, played at the TD Banknorth Garden in front of thousands of local fans.

But for one game at least, Andover's game breaker met his match in Hanover's game-saving goalie, Doug Carr.

"He made a couple great saves," said Mullin, who just missed a couple of golden chances to put the Warriors on top early. "If those few breakaways went in, then different story. He played very well."

Although the Warriors could not skate away with the championship, they did skate away with a number of new fans - including some younger ones. Andover High School co-athletic director Dave Nichols said the school sold the 1,000 tickets allotted to it days before the game. The crowd that ventured to Boston to support the team was the largest he's seen for the sport at the high school.

"It's just been a joy to watch them this year. There's definitely a lot of student interest, a lot of turnout," said Nichols. "This is considerably more than we've ever had for hockey."

With grandson Riki about to take the ice for the Warriors, Al Retelle was excited for a game that "we never expected."

"I've been watching high school sports forever," said Retelle, whose son Peter also played for Andover High in the 1970s.

Added his wife Evelyn, "It was a wonderful season, win or lose."

"You couldn't look for a better group of kids to look up to," said Bobby Drew, father of junior goalie Nick. "They did absolutely terrific, setting a terrific example for all the younger kids."

Andover fans came out in full force, and optimism was running high before the start of the game.

"We've been on a roll so far," said AHS junior Sam Cook. "I think we have a pretty good shot right now."

Cook, 16, was impressed with not only how the hockey team carried themselves on the ice, but at school as well.

"It's been big. A lot of students have realized how far they've gone and how well they've bonded," said Cook. "They're well-respected too. Good guys."

With playoff beards abound in the Andover locker room, Cook said the good-luck growths were making their way around the rest of the student body.

"I know I haven't shaved all weekend. Some kids try to grow them, but they can't," he said. "It's still good effort that they're showing."

Twelve-year-old Chas Heseltine put in an effort more age-appropriate, painting a beard on his face before the game.

"When I'm in high school, when I start growing facial hair, I'm going to get the goatee going," said Heseltine, a PeeWee defenseman in Andover Youth Hockey.

Other younger players couldn't wait to grow up either, with the dream of playing at the Garden for Andover High just a few years down the line.

"I want to be the next Tucker Mullin," said Connor McCullough, 10, seated with his AYH Squirt teammates in the arena's lower bowl before the opening face-off.

Mullin may have played his last game in an Andover High sweater, but residents will still get a chance to see his on-ice exploits next winter, as the 18-year-old will attend Phillips Academy for a year of post-graduate study before continuing his playing career in college.

Mullin is one of eight seniors on the Andover hockey team.

"It was quite a ride. It was a lot of fun," said Mullin. "Making it to the Garden is an accomplishment in itself. We're a very proud team right now."

"The dream of any athlete is to be in the final game. Winning it makes it special, but being there is significant," Nichols said. "I think they represented us well."