Freshman phenom
Ferraro, New Canaan blank West Haven/Sacred Heart Academy
WEST HAVEN — The New Canaan girls ice hockey juggernaut seemingly can’t be stopped.
Exploding from the gates with three goals in the first period, the Rams secured their 25th consecutive victory with a 4-0 shutout of defending SCC champion West Haven/SHA Saturday at Bennett Rink in West Haven.
New Canaan remained perfect with a 14-0 record, which includes an 8-0 mark against FCIAC foes and a 6-0 record out-of-conference. The Rams and freshman goalie Nikki Ferraro have three straight shutouts and opponents have scored just seven goals in the last 12 games.
Grace Crowell, who scored two of the Rams’ four goals on Saturday, said New Canaan is excelling with intensity and a family spirit.
“Everybody really loves playing on this team and there’s a really nice family environment,” Crowell said. “So everyone comes to practice and games excited, we’re all really close, and everyone really steps up when we need it.”
While the Rams were held to just one goal in the final two periods, they controlled the pace of play throughout.
West Haven/SHA goalie Grace Nowak played the lead role in slowing New Canaan, racking up 35 saves overall.
“We scored early, and the whole game, we did what we wanted to,” New Canaan coach Rich Bulan said. “We took it to them and they never had a chance to set up offensively. We moved the puck well, and we were constantly putting pressure on them.”
“They controlled the first period, but we fought hard in the second period keeping the score down, and Grace played phenomenally in net,” West Haven/SHA coach Erin Blake said. “You can’t ask for more from a goalie. She’s been a top goalie for us for a long time.”
It was the third consecutive loss for the Westie Sharks (6-6), but they re
main atop the SCC standings with a 6-1 league mark.
“We know New Canaan’s a great team,” Blake said. “They’re No. 1, they’re undefeated, and Rich always has a good squad coming out. We knew what to expect. They’re fast, they’re aggressive and they make great passes.”
The Rams opened the scoring at 4:38 of the first when Tess Hobbs set up Faith Hobbs in front for the goal.
Less than two minutes later, Crowell stuffed the puck inside the left pipe after a save by Nowak. Serena O’Connor and Lexie Tully assisted.
Crowell then added her second and New Canaan’s third on a rebound with 1:35 remaining in the first period.
“Sometimes our biggest struggle is coming out full-force in the first period, and in this game, we did a really nice job of that,” Crowell said. “The second period could’ve been more, but we took that, and in the third we had the same intensity as the first.”
The Westie Sharks overcame a couple of early penalties in the second period, and began generating a little more pressure of their own with seniors Maya Boyhen and Meghan Dupre among those leading the way.
New Canaan eventually broke through for a fourth and final goal on Caitlin Tully’s top-shelf goal with 1:59 remaining in the game.
Blake said although West Haven/SHA has struggled during the past few games, the “girls’ vibe and their energy is something a coach can’t complain about.”
“They’re staying in each game and they’re playing until that final second, and they’re supporting each other,” Blake said. “As a coach, I’m happy with how my girls treat each other and how they play, even when they take a loss.”
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Grace Crowell, New Canaan: The senior scored back-to-back goals in the first period when the Rams took control of the scoreboard.
QUOTABLE
“When you play teams like the West Havens, the Suffields, the Simsburys, it’s physical. These are physical games and I love that. You’ve got to play through that and it makes you better.”
— New Canaan coach Rich Bulan