Tigers drop Blue Wave in OT

Will Forrest scores 25 seconds into extra session for winner

RIDGEFIELD — Sweet passes, sprawling saves, big hits … the first game of a home-and-home series between the Ridgefield and Darien boys hockey teams had something of everything.

Even a game-winning goal in overtime.

Will Forrest scored just 25 seconds into the eight-minute extra session to give Ridgefield a 3-2 victory on Friday evening at the Winter Garden Ice Arena. Forrest collected a loose puck in the slot and beat Darien goalie Henri Pfeifle with a backhand into the top of the net.

“All the credit to my linemates,” Forrest said, referring to fellow seniors Nick Cullinan and Matt Walker. “They forced a turnover and I was able to capitalize.”

Forrest’s goal kept Ridgefield — the No. 1 team in the GameTimeCT poll — unbeaten (8-0) this season. Darien, meanwhile, is now 4-3 overall going into tomorrow’s rematch at the Darien Ice Rink (5 p.m.).

“It was a helluva high school game,” Darien coach Mac Budd said afterwards. “The level of play was very, very high. For our guys,

H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media Ridgefield’s Kees van Wees (8) and Darien’s Brian Zaffino (11) fight for the puck in the boys ice hockey game between Darien and Ridgefield high schools on Friday night at Winter Garden Ice Arena in Ridgefield.