BILLERICA — Billerica/Chelmsford continues to make statements in the 2024-25 girls hockey season.

The Billerica/Chelmsford girls hockey team moved to 10-1 after beating conference foe HPNA (Haverhill/Pentucket/North Andover), 2-1, on Wednesday night at the Hallenborg Ice Rink in an early-anticipated Top 10 matchup.

Billerica/Chelmsford came into the game ranked ninth in the MIAA power rankings as opposed to HPNA, which occupied the third spot.

HPNA (7-1-2) controlled long stretches of the first period after holding the puck the majority of the time in the opening frame. A lot of their chances came from the perimeter, due to a strong emphasis by the B/C defense and a very strong performance by senior goaltender Hailey Graybeal.

“We emphasized protecting the middle and the girls did a really good job of that in front of me,” Graybeal said after her 30-save performance.

The scoreless tie was broken with 4:13 left in the first period when freshman Payton Fitzgerald slammed one home on the crease while on the power play. Sophomore Kara Gamble and senior captain Katherine Morin picked up the assists.

The score remained at 1-0 until 11:43 left in the second period when yet again on the power play, the hosts capitalized. This time it was junior Greta Tucker who put home a rebound to make it 2-0. This was a second period that saw B/C take control and dictate the flow of the game. The team produced a lot of offensive zone time and didn’t allow a ton of pressure opportunities to the opponent.

As strong as the Indians looked in the second period, HPNA looked even better in the third. They took as many chances to pepper Graybeal as possible.

She made 14 of her 30 saves on the night in the final 15 minutes. After more than 12 minutes of dominating offensive play, HPNA finally broke through and put one behind the star goalie with 2:30 to go when Paige Nottingham slipped one under the left shoulder of the keeper to cut the lead in half.

They were able to make a couple more strong rushes but nothing that amounted in goals as the B/C defense made key clears to send the puck out of its defensive zone in front of a large and vocal crowd.

“That’s why coach has us play a tough schedule so we can be battle tested by these really good teams and it paid off tonight,” Graybeal said.

Billerica/Chelmsford head coach Raymond Monroe added: “Hailey is our rock and has been all season. She brings out the compete level in our team and that’s what we’re looking for from a leader like her and today is no different as you can see.”