GIRLS HOCKEY HIGHLIGHTS

TOP PERFORMERS

Jozie Becker, Hamden co-op: The freshman netted both goals to lead the Hamden co-op to a 2-0 shutout of Guilford last Thursday.

Julia Bella, Wilton/Norwalk/McMahon: Bella, a junior, had three points with one goal and two assists to help the Wilton co-op defeat the Ridgefield co-op 6-4 at the Winter Garden on Saturday.

Amanda Benson, New Canaan: Benson, a senior defender, had three points in the third period, scoring twice and assisting once, during a 6-0 victory over Stamford/Westhill/Staples on Saturday at the Darien Ice House.

Bella Bonfiglio, Southington/Avon co-op: Bonfiglio, a senior, had two goals and two assists in a 7-0 win over Guilford, and one goal and two assists in a 6-2 win over Hall/Conard this week. She had a plus-8 rating in the two games combined.

Kelsey Brown, Darien: The senior scored twice and dished out one assist in Darien’s 6-0 shutout of Greenwich on Saturday. The Blue Wave have a 12-0 record and is the state’s last unbeaten team.

Maddie DeSouza, Southington/Avon co-op: The junior helped anchor a defense which allowed just two goals in wins over Guilford and Hall/Conard, and she had a goal and an assist in each game.

Bella Desrosiers, West Haven/SHA: The junior goalie amassed 29 saves to keep the Westie Sharks in striking distance during a 2-0 loss to the East Catholic co-op on Friday. The teams were scoreless until the Storm broke through later in the game.

Bella DiNanno, Wilton/Norwalk/McMahon: The senior forward had a hat trick and assist for four points when the Wilton co-op upended rival Ridgefield 6-4 on Saturday at the Winter Garden.

Kate McKiernan, East Catholic co-op: McKiernan, a sophomore defender, blocked five shots and scored in a 2-0 victory over West Haven/SHA on Friday. McKiernan leads the Storm with 15 points on five goals and 10 assists, and has a team-best +17 rating.

Nicole Partridge, Southington/Avon co-op: The senior had a combined seven points in back-to-back road games, as the Nighthawks defeated Guilford 7-0 on Saturday, and Hall/Conard 6-2 on Monday. She scored twice in each game, and was a +9 overall.

Julianna Picard, West Haven/SHA: The sophomore forward from SHA had a hand in three of the four goals for the Westie Sharks during a 4-2 win over the Amity co-op on Thursday. She scored twice and had one assist.

Zoey Pietras, Suffield co-op: Pietras, an EO Smith junior, made her first two goals of the season key ones, scoring the tying and winning goals in the third period of the Suffield co-op’s 5-4 victory over the Daniel Hand co-op on Saturday.

GAMES TO WATCH

Wilton/Norwalk/McMahon at Hall/Conard (Veterans Memorial Rink), Saturday, 1:30: With the postseason three weeks away, these two teams are just inside the tournament bubble. This is a key game for both.

New Canaan at Darien (Darien Ice House), Saturday, 7:

Darien dominated the first meeting of the two powers 7-0 in December, and remains unbeaten. New Canaan has won 10 of 11 since that loss and is no doubt hungry for revenge.

Daniel Hand co-op at Stamford/Westhill/Staples, Saturday, 8:

The argument could be made that these two teams are the biggest breakouts of the past two seasons. SWS reached its first FCIAC final last winter, while Daniel Hand has gone from three wins last season to the top of the SCC standings this year.

New Canaan at Simsbury (Simsbury Farms Ice Rink), Monday, 4: The perennial contenders have had a long-running series that seldom disappoints. The Rams edged the Trojans 2-1 on Jan. 16, but Simsbury gets to host this time.

Southington/Avon co-op at Northwest Catholic/Mercy (International Skating Center), Monday, 8:30:

Two teams on hot streaks. The Nighthawks lead the CHSGHA power point standings with just one loss, while Northwest Catholic/Mercy had won eight straight heading into action on Feb. 1.

Darien at Stamford/Westhill/Staples (Terry Conners Rink), Wednesday, 5:30:

The first meeting had an amazing finish, as the SWS co-op scored twice in the final six minutes, closing a three-goal gap to one before falling 3-2. No lead is safe against these two teams.