BOYS HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW CAPSULE

DIVISION III WHEN: Monday, 7 p.m.

WHERE: M&T Bank Arena, Hamden

SEEDS/RECORDS: No. 1 Masuk 22-1-2; No. 3 Newington co-op 23-2-0.

TICKETS: GoFan.co ($10; children five and under, military in uniform or with I.D. free. Digital tickets only (no cash sales at event).

ON THE AIR/WEB: NFHS Network (Subscription required)

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME APPEARANCES — In various co-op alignments, Newington has won Division III championships in 2012, 2013 and 2022. On its own, it had lost in the Division II final in 1998 and the Division III final in 2006. Masuk’s only championship-game appearance was in 2015, losing to E.O. Smith/Tolland.

TOP PLAYERS — Masuk:

Drew Scalia, Sr. F; Austin Braiewa. Sr. D; Kyle Sutfin, Sr. F. Newington:

Harrison Ranger, Sr. F; Evan Howard, Sr. D; Jeremy Wagner, Sr. G.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR —

Probably as it should be, SCC/SWC Division III champion Masuk against CCC South champion Newington. Masuk has not lost to a Division III team. The Panthers have won a couple of close games in the past two rounds, proving that a team that ran away from a lot of teams during the regular season can win the tight ones, too . ... Newington, on the other hand, hasn’t had a runaway in a while, with no more than a one-goal lead going to the third period in all five of their playoff games, coming from behind in two of them . ... Both teams have some depth. Though one goal came short-handed, the Nor’easters’ three goal scorers in the semifinal still represented three different forward lines; Masuk’s third line drew two Hall penalties in the quarterfinals. Several opponents have mentioned Scalia as an MVP kind of player. Newington has plenty of players back from last year’s championship team who have contributed to this run, too.

YOU SHOULD KNOW — The last team to reach the Division III final unbeaten against Division III teams was E.O. Smith in 2014-15, capping it with the win against Masuk. MIKE'S PICK: Newington.

— Michael Fornabaio