New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Perseverance led to Vieira’s first state title in 34 years
HAMDEN — As the finals seconds wore off, as it became clear Notre DameWest Haven had solidified its place as the best CIAC high school hockey team in the state, Larry Vieira’s right arm shot up like a missile.
“It felt like heaven,” Vieira said.
His players, flush with the joy of their 4-2, comefrom behind victory over Darien in the Division I championship, made a celebratory bee line for goalie Peter Alfano. One by one, Vieira hugged his staff and when he was finished, he disappeared down the tunnel at Quinnipiac’s Perrotti Arena for a few moments. Perhaps to gather himself. Perhaps to go next door to the basketball arena to visit his uncle Porky Vieira’s banner as Quinnipiac’s all-time scorer.
Whatever the reason, when he returned, Vieira had his first state championship in a long time. Not 14 years. Not 24 years. It was 1988, 34 years ago, when a young Larry Viera coached Branford to a Division II title with a 5-3 triumph over Shepaug Valley.
“My assistant coach Kevin Erickson played bantams, played for me at Branford, he has never been to a state championship,” Vieira said. “I was happier for him than me. He was with me for 20 years at Branford, has been here. I’m so happy for all these guys.”
Notre Dame, which lost only once all season inside Connecticut, found itself down 2-1 after two periods on Tuesday night. It might make for legend if Vieira tore the paint off the walls with his intermission speech, but it wouldn’t be truth.
“Coach was calm,” Colby
Faughnan said. “He knew what we had. He said we were in the perfect spot.”
Right where Notre Dame wanted Darien. Down 2-1 with 15 minutes left in the state championship. After all, five days after beating Darien 3-1 on Feb. 18, Notre Dame erased a 1-0 Darien lead with four goals in the final five minutes. Notre Dame hasn’t been a unanimous No. 1 pick in the GameTimeCT poll since the start of February for no reason.
“Coach always knows what to say,” said Robert McCarthy, who scored in the second period. “He’s never uncertain of what we