GIRLS ICE HOCKEY TOP PLAYOFF PERFORMERS

Kate Bellissimo, Darien: Bellissimo had four points with a hat trick and an assist as the Blue Wave pitched a shutout in the FCIAC quarterfinals, defeating Ridgefield/Danbury 9-0.

Grace Crowell, New Canaan: Crowell, a junior forward, scored both of the Rams’ goals in a 2-1 overtime victory against Darien in the FCIAC championship game on March 20 at the Darien Ice House. Her game-winner came with 1:22 remaining in OT.

Kylie Downs, Suffield co-op: Downs, a junior, scored the game-winning goal 9:59 into overtime as the Wildcats defeated No. 1 seed Simsbury 3-2 for the CCC championship last Friday. Downs scored after a shot by Konelin Wierdsma, who had an assist on the winner.

Maddie Epke, Guilford: The Grizzlies’ junior forward had seven points with a hat trick and four assists as Guilford defeated the Milford co-op 8-1 in the SCC semifinals on March 23.

Sidney Falterer, Fairfield co-op: Falterer, a senior goalie, amassed 70 saves in Fairfield’s 5-1 loss to New Canaan in the FCIAC quarterfinals.

Mackenzie Gardner, West Haven/SHA: Gardner had three points on two goals and one assist, and led a solid defensive effort as West Haven/SHA shut out the Masuk co-op 6-0 in the SCC semifinals on March 23.

Hannah Goldenberg, Greenwich: The senior goalie collected 42 saves against 46 shots in the Cardinals’

4-2 loss to Darien in the FCIAC semifinals on March 17. Goldenberg had a shutout in the quarterfinals, stopping all 13 Wilton shots in an 8-0 win.

Elsa Haakonsen, Trumbull/St. Joseph: The Eagles’ freshman goalie made 46 saves in a 4-0 loss to New Canaan in the FCIAC semifinals at the Darien Ice House on March

17. Haakonsen also had 37 stops in a 6-2 quarterfinal win over the Stamford/ Westhill/Staples co-op.

Kaleigh Harden, New Canaan: Harden had a hat trick in the Rams’ 4-0 win over the Trumbull/St. Joseph co-op in the FCIAC semifinals on March 17 at the Darien Ice House. In three tournament games, Harden had five goals and one assist as the Rams won the championship.

Nelle Kniffin, Darien: The Blue Wave senior had five points with one goal and four assists in three games during the FCIAC tournament, as Darien finished as the runner-up.

Megan McCarthy, Trumbull/St. Joseph: McCarthy had a hat trick as the Eagles won 6-2 over Stamford/Westhill/Staples the FCIAC quarterfinals. Two of the goals came during the third period.

Grace Nowak, West Haven/SHA: The junior goalie collected 26 saves and allowed one goal to help lead the Westie Sharks to the SCC championship with a 5-1 win over Guilford at Bennett Rink on March

25. Nowak allowed just one goal in two playoff games, as West Haven/SHA finished the season 9-0.