BRATTLEBORO -- The Brattleboro girls hockey team lost to Harwood 8-2 Wednesday at home on senior night in a game in which they took an early lead but couldn't recover from a strong first period response by the visitors.

Senior Baylie Houle scored just over a minute into the game for the Bears (1-14), which was followed by another goal less than a minute later from sophomore Jaidyn Denny. Michaela Heiden, a senior for the Bears, picked up the assist on the Denny goal. But the Highlanders (4-13) were able to respond scoring two goals just over 10 seconds apart midway through the first period, and adding another two in quick succession three minutes later. The Highlanders scored two goals in each of the next two periods to take the 8-2 win.

"I think that our team was really just excited about it being senior night and they had all of that positive energy that kind of just propelled them to get those two goals off right off the bat," said Brattleboro head coach Alyssa Leonard. "After that first goal got scored against us the energy shifted and it started to become 'okay what can we do to prevent them from scoring against us' and not 'what can we do to score against them.'"

Before the game each of the seniors involved with the team were recognized as part of the senior night ceremony. Seniors who were in the lineup for the Bears included goalie Nellie Sterling, Kelis Melo, Avery Hiner, Houle, Fiona Toole and Heiden. Gretchen Stromberg, who was not able to make it to the game, was also recognized, along with manager Madi Wright.

It was a dream start for the Bears, who got on the board first with a goal from the point by Houle at 13:51 of the first period on a shot that just trickled by sophomore netminder Camille Edgcomb of the Highlanders. Denny would double the lead for the Bears less than a minute later, scoring on a shot to the top corner off a rush chance with 13:02 remaining in the first. The away side then started to settle into the game, creating some shot opportunities that were turned away by Sterling. The Bears responded by creating their own scoring chances, with good opportunities from Houle and Hiner that weren't able to find the back of the net.

But the Highlanders continued to create chances and eventually capitalized with a 4 on 4 goal on a low angle shot from junior Zoe Duffy at 7:31 of the first to cut the lead in half. A little over 10 seconds later the Highlanders tied the game with a close-range goal by freshman Bridan Merrill with 7:19 left in the first. The Bears got shots from Hiner and Denny after the goals to get back into the game offensively, but took a penalty shortly after with 5:12 left in the period.

Once again, the Highlanders capitalized on special teams, as Merrill scored on a power play goal from a rebound at 4:29 of the first to give her team the lead. Just 10 seconds later the away side scored again, with senior Margaret Belknap finding the back of the net with 4:19 left in the first period giving the Highlanders a two-goal lead. The visitors had most of the scoring chances to end the period, and took a 4-2 lead heading into the second.

The Bears started the second period strong, getting shots on goal from Houle and Denny to begin the frame. They would then get their first look on the power play, creating a number of scoring chances and nearly finding the back of the net. But after a scramble the Highlanders had a shorthanded breakaway opportunity from sophomore Alexandria Isham, who scored with 12:27 left in the second period to add to their lead.

Duffy added another goal with a dump in from mid ice that found its way past Sterling at 9:27 of the second, giving the Highlanders a four-goal lead. Denny had a few chances on offense for the Bears throughout the second, but wasn't able to get a shot past Edgcomb. To complete the period the Highlanders created a few more scoring chances, but Sterling made some strong saves to keep the Bears in the game. At the end of the second period, the Highlanders led 6-2.

To begin the third period the Bears continued generating offense, with Denny and Melo registering shots on goal. The Bears would get another look on the power play after a penalty on Duffy, but senior Lindsey Boyden scored a shorthanded goal off a backhand shot with 10:40 left in the third for the Highlanders, adding to their lead. The Bears would get shots from Hiner and Denny after the power play, but weren't able to find the back of the net.

With 7:54 left in the third a fight broke out between sophomore Paige Pratt of the visitors along with Denny and Heiden of the Bears, leading to a long break for the officials to figure out the penalties. The altercation resulted in a game misconduct for Denny, and a five-minute major penalty on both Heiden and Pratt. Melo also received a minor penalty for the Bears, resulting in the Highlanders getting a 5 on 3 power play.

The Bears were able to kill off the first of their penalties, but conceded a power play goal by junior Alexia Cantallops-Farre of the Highlanders at 5:27 of the third period. After killing off the rest of the penalty the Bears withstood a few more Highlander chances, and generated some opportunities of their own with Heiden and Hiner having shots saved with under 30 seconds left in the game. But the Highlanders kept them off the board, and went on to win 8-2. Even though the game didn't go their way, Leonard was happy with the effort of her team.

"I think that they have proven to themselves that they are capable," said Leonard. "I'm proud of them for continuing to show up and never give up."

This game was a rematch between these two teams of their contest on January 25 played at Harwood, where the Bears won 4-3.

The Bears next play on the road Saturday against Woodstock, with puck drop scheduled for 6:45 p.m.