Boys' Hockey: Thursday and Friday's Results (2/10 and 2/11)

Thursday

Conard 6 @ Guilford 1
-Talk about a cataclysm.  Guilford takes their first lost at hands of the Conard Chieftains.  Conard certainly looks like they will make the DI state tournament now and maybe they can use this big win to start putting together some consistently good play and possibly upset Xavier along the way.  Guilford will retreat to three DIII games in a row then play East Haven next Saturday, a team much better than Conard, and then coast into the playoffs with another DIII and bottom of DII opponent.

#3 Xavier 5 @ East Haven 2
-Just what the doctor ordered for the Falcons, now 10-4.  East Haven only falls to 9-4 and will have more chances to pull a shocker when they play Hamden and Guilford next week, Notre Dame-West Haven the week after and finish off the season with North Haven.  Charlie Dupont became an integral part of the offense again and Xavier looked strong the whole game.  They came out firing on all cylinders, doing everything right and playing good team puck.  Austin Essery was solid in net but East Haven's potent offense showed itself, managing two goals (it was 3-1 at one point), most notably freshman sensation Stephen Marsico.  Brandon Reid had himself a big game scoring twice but almost every forward had either an assist or goal this game...a very good sign for Xavier moving forward as they play @ #1 Fairfield Prep Sunday.

Friday

#2 New Canaan 2 @ #4 Hamden 0
-In a spot normally reserved for high school basketball, hockey stole the spotlight this Friday night. In front of an estimated 1,200 fans (yours truly had a birthday diner and basketball game to attend), the only undedefeated team left, New Canaan took down the Green Dragons from Hamden. I looked at the score and instantly began wondering how Hamden did not score. According to the fans and players I know that were there, Hamden did not come to play, understandable after the week they've been having, and New Canaan goalie Tim Nowacki was not tested much (not so much # of shots but quality of shots). That being said, I do not want to take anything away from New Canaan; they beat a tough, physical team whose best offense is their defense, at Hamden's home ice, and without arguably their best two forwards, Henry Corcoran and Dylan Hart...an EXTREMELY impressive feat! The Rams have proved their legitimacy for the most part but I will have to see how the Fairfield Prep/Xavier game goes to make the new rankings. Hopefully Hamden gets it together for their game against South Windsor Saturday because, I hate to say it but, Hamden, with their incredibly tough schedule, still hasn't made the playoffs and, although it is almost a guarantee that they will (they had ND-Fairfield again), seeding will play a major role in the DI tournament this year. New Canaan only has St. Joseph on Saturday left to worry about (do not overlook this game) and possibly Wilton next Wednesday.