HUDSON, N.H. — Hockey, being that full circle sport that it is, has a way of eventually bringing friendly foes together.

Which how Cam Madore and Matt Tucceri ”“ who lined up on opposite sides for a few epic high school encounters ”“ are now together, chasing the same dream for the same team, the Boston Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs play in the 12-team AJHL, a Tier III Junior League, which also includes the Portland Jr. Pirates.

Players come to the ”˜AJ’ in hopes of catching the eye of college coaches who are looking to add talent to their rosters.

“Everyone who’s out here wants to play in college,” said Tucceri, who starred at Kennebunk High, before transferring to Berwick Academy as a senior, last year. “That’s the common goal.”

Given the long list of Bulldogs alumni who have gone on to play college hockey ”“ with Dave Gove and former Portland Pirate Joe Callahan having had stints in the NHL ”“ Madore felt that the ”˜Dogs were the right place for him to be.

The Bulldogs are a great organization,” said Madore, who finished up his four-year Biddeford varsity career last year. “They’ve sent a lot of people to college. I decided this is the best route for me. No one would play an extra year if they didn’t want to go to college. I’m still trying to get to that next level of play.”

Boston, which plays some of its home games, here, at Cyclones Arena, are run by long-time coach Mike Addesa, who guided RPI to an NCAA championship in 1985.

Both Tucceri and Madore have found the demands of Tier III to be both challenging and beneficial.

“I’m having a blast,” said Tucceri. “I’m getting a lot of ice time. Everything’s faster and quicker and the hitting’s harder. I’m loving it.”

Said Madore, “It’s good,” said Madore. “It’s a lot different than high school. There’s a lot to adjust to. Instead of there being one or two good kids on a team, everyone’s good. You’ve just got to come every day. The practices are a lot more intense. There’s not goofing off, or anything. It’s more serious.”

Serious, perhaps. But not without room for a little levity.

For the Bulldogs’ two Mainers, there is time to reminisce about those heated “’Bunk and Biddo” bashes,  which livened up the Tigers twin State Championship runs in 2007 and 2008.

“I came out on the losing end of those, too many times,” laughed Tucceri.

Few will ever forget the 2007 Western Conference final, in which Biddeford defeated Kennebunk, in overtime, to get to its second State Championship game.

You can be certain they haven’t.

“That was a heart breaker, that one,” Tucceri said. “Me and Cam laugh about it, now. We’ve become great friends, instead of enemies on the ice. We get along great.”

Said Madore, “He’s always been my good friend,” said Madore. “We had a little rivalry. He’s a real good player. It’s good having him on the same team, this time.”

The Bulldogs, who won an earlier visit with the Jr. Pirates, 6-1 (Madore netted what proved to be the game-winner), will make their final regular season trip to Saco  on Jan. 10.

Contact Dan Hickling at dhickling@journaltribune.com.