New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
GIRLS HOCKEY HIGHLIGHTS
TOP PERFORMERS
Mackenzie Chapman, Simsbury: Chapman, a senior forward, assisted on Simsbury’s first three goals during a 4-2 win over Hamden on Dec. 29 at Astorino Rink. The Trojans are 2-2-1.
Julia Crisci, Hamden co-op: Crisci, a junior from East Haven, had a hat trick to lead the Hamden co-op to a 9-3 win over the Amity co-op on Dec. 18. She also scored both Hamden goals in a 4-2 loss to Simsbury on Dec. 29.
Annie Forker, Stamford/Westhill/ Staples: The freshman forward scored twice and had two assists in a 7-2 win over Mercy/Northwest Catholic on Dec. 29. The SWS co-op has won six of its first seven games.
Meadow Gilchrist, Stamford/Westhill/Staples: The senior co-captain racked up five points with a hat trick and two assists in a 7-2 win over Mercy/ Northwest Catholic at Terry Conners Rink on Dec. 29. Gilchrist leads her team with 11 goals and 10 assists in seven games.
Piper Golden-Jarrell, Simsbury: The senior defender netted two goals in Simsbury’s 4-2 victory over Hamden on Dec. 29 at Astorino Rink. She opened the scoring at 1:58 of the first period, and also scored the game’s final goal with 5:34 remaining.
Kaleigh Harden, New Canaan: The senior co-captain had a hand in all three of the Rams’ goals, scoring twice and assisting once during a 3-1 win over Simsbury at the Darien Ice House on Dec. 22. Harden has scored 10 goals in five games to help New Canaan start 5-0.
Geena Montano, West Haven/SHA: Montano, a sophomore forward, scored the game-winning goal 3:33 into overtime as the Westie Sharks topped the Hamden co-op 3-2 at Bennett Rink on Tuesday. Hamden led 2-1 after two periods before West Haven/SHA tied the scored on a goal by Meghan Dupree in the third.
GAMES TO WATCH
Avon co-op at Suffield co-op (International Skating Center of Connecticut),
Friday, 6:10: Avon is hot at 4-1-1, while Suffield is cold at 0-3. A victory here could help turn things around for the defending CCC champion Wildcats..
LaSalle Academy at New Canaan (Terry Conners Rink), Saturday, 12:30: The defending FCIAC champion Rams take on a LaSalle team which has won three consecutive Rhode Island state titles. New Canaan blanked LaSalle 2-0 in 2020.
West Haven/SHA at Simsbury (Simsbury Farms Ice Rink), Saturday, 12:30: A battle between two perennial conference and state contenders. Both teams have two losses and would get a big boost in the state rankings with a win here.
Guilford at Avon co-op (Newington Ice Arena), Saturday, 8:40: Avon takes on a second straight tough opponent in as many days. Both teams lost one-goal decisions in their openers, but have been unscathed since.
Amity co-op at West Haven/SHA (Bennett Rink), Monday, 4: A clash of two SCC contenders. West Haven/SHA won both meetings last winter before the Blades had their season end during a quarantine, but the second game was 3-2 in overtime.
ETB Storm at Conard/Hall (Veterans Memorial Ice Rink), Monday, 7:20: The CCC has been topsy-turvy in the early part of the season, but a few upcoming games could help sort things out. Entering Wednesday’s action, ETB was 1-1-2 and Conard/Hall was 3-1-0.
New Canaan at Darien (Darien Ice House), Monday, 8:20: The rivals have combined to win the last four state championships and 11 of the last 13 FCIAC titles. They’re both undefeated and have looked dominant in the early going. A guaranteed barn-burner.
Simsbury at Avon co-op (Newington Ice Arena), Wednesday, 4:30: Another CCC showdown. The contenders split two contests last year with Simsbury winning 3-1 and Avon responding with a 3-2 decision.
Stamford/Westhill/Staples at Trumbull/St. Joseph (The Rinks at Shelton), Wednesday, 6: Stamford/Westhill/Staples is off to its best start, while Trumbull/St. Joseph is looking to build off its best season. An interesting clash with plenty of playoff implications.