The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Branford beats North Haven to hold onto SCC/SWC D-II title
Branford edges out North Haven, defends D-II tournament title
WEST HAVEN — They’ve played three spectacular boys hockey games, and if they can somehow make their separate ways to the CIAC Division II final, maybe they’ll play a fourth in two weeks.
In the meantime, Branford’s 1-0 win over North Haven in Saturday’s SCC/SWC Division II final will have to last. North Haven has played Division II’s No. 1 seed and defending champion tough three times and is 0-2-1.
For Branford, this was one title defended (the Hornets won last year’s SCC/SWC tournament, and this is five out of the past nine conference tournaments), one to go.
“This is very good to keep it going,” Branford defenseman Chris Donadio said, “a nice bridge right into states. We’re ready to go.”
Branford and North Haven will play backto-back state tournament games at home back at Northford Ice Pavilion on Monday night, the Hornets against South Windsor at 6, then North Haven against Trumbull to follow.
Goalie Jared Yakimoff, who made 26 saves in Saturday’s shutout after recording one in Thursday’s 7-0 semifinal win over East Haven, was named the tournament’s outstanding player for Branford (19-2-1).
The defense in front of him was pretty good, too. Junior Billy Linder made a handful of big defensive plays.
North Haven (12-7-3) survived a flat start and controlled territory for stretches.
“We had to pick it up on the D end,” Donadio said. “They were on us quick. They pressured us, so we didn’t have a lot of time to make decisions. We were able to come together.”
The Indians had a long five-on-three advantage early in the second period; Yakimoff made a save early, and after a hand pass, Branford’s Spencer Engstrom held the puck along the boards behind the North Haven net for about 15 seconds.
The defensive goal, said Linder, was “just keep them to the outside, because Jared can save all their shots. Just not let them get an open shot in front of the net, and we did a really good job of that.”
Danny Farricielli scored the goal 2:23 into the third period off Donadio’s cross-ice pass. Linder had the second assist.
“We were getting going. Third period, right, and I thought we were really doing well,” Farricielli said.
“I just happened to be back-door . ... Chris Donadio, he’s an excellent defenseman, and he gave me a perfect pass back-door, and I happened to get a hold of it.”
The one-timer was the only shot of 22 to beat Andrew Sacco.
“It seemed like every one of those loose-puck bounces came toward our (net),” North Haven coach Chris Avena said.
“We made one defensive
lapse, they came across the ice, which I think we cut off really well all game. They’re the No. 1 team in the state. They have two losses. They buried the one opportunity we gave them. They gave us a couple of opportunities, we couldn’t bury them. There’s your game.”
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Other Branford defensemen are more heralded (one of them, Max Manware, returned from injury on Thursday), but Billy Linder played a solid game in his own end.
“Billy sees the ice well. As far as his biggest strides to get him to the level he’s
playing, I think his confidence has built,” Branford coach Jim DiNapoli said. “He was a sophomore last year, but he wasn’t a second-year high school kid; it was his first year.
“As the season progressed last year, he got better, and we developed more trust in him to play the type of game he likes to play.”
THREE BATTLES
The teams tied at 2 on Jan. 15. Linder scored in overtime on Feb. 19 to win 2-1.
“I’ve known North Haven was a good team all season, and they’ve just gotten better and better and
closed the gap on everybody,” DiNapoli said of a team that has just three seniors. “I think they’re a dangerous team going forward; a lot of credit to their players and Chris. They’ve done a great job.”
QUOTABLE
“You win from the net out. Jared’s an outstanding goalie and we have some really solid defensemen. I think that’s why we’re sitting tonight talking.”