GIRLS HOCKEY: STORYLINES AND GAMES TO WATCH

SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES

With last year’s schedule limited to in-conference play only, great matchups between the FCIAC, SCC and CCC were put on the shelf. That meant the loss of some games which had become long-distance rivalries. This year, the CHSGHA gets those inter-conference contests back and we’ll see showdowns between contenders such as New Canaan and Simsbury, Darien and West Haven/ SHA, and the ETB Storm and Greenwich. That’s just the tip of the iceberg and there are a few new clashes thrown in.

STILL MASKED, AT LEAST TO START

While full schedules, interconference play, and a state tournament are back in play this winter, there are still numerous protocols remaining in place due to COVID-19. Following CIAC guidelines, girls ice hockey players will wear masks to begin the season. That will last until the winter break, when schools can alter their rules pertaining to masks and allow vaccinated players to go unmasked. And, as was the case last winter, circumstances with the virus could alter the protocols and impact the schedule.

TITLE DEFENSE, THREE YEARS LATER

New Canaan won the state championship 3-1 over Darien in 2018 and the freshman from that team are now seniors defending that crown three years later. In 2019, New Canaan, Darien, Simsbury and Greenwich were still playing when the tournament was shut down at the start of the pandemic on the day of the semifinals. Last year, only conference tournaments were played with New Canaan (FCIAC), West Haven/SHA (SCC) and the Suffield co-op (CCC) winning.

THE WILD, WILD… CENTRAL

The Central Connecticut Conference had a dramatic season in 2021, with a seemingly endless parade of one- and two-goal contests. Simsbury, which earned the top seed for the postseason playoffs, played in eight one-goal games and went 6-2, but one of the losses came in the CCC final when the Trojans lost to Suffield 3-2 in overtime.

FOR THE BIRDS

The Trumbull Eagles were the surprise team in the FCIAC last season, going 8-4-1 and winning their first-ever tournament game. The Eagles announced their arrival with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over perennial conference power Greenwich. With players such as Kendall Conley, Devon and Teagan Cavliere, and goalie Elsa Haakonsen back, Trumbull will look to build on last year’s success. As for the Cardinals, they’ve undergone a change at the top as Blake Heron takes over from Alex Lerchen as head coach. Lerchen was with Greenwich for seven seasons and won a pair of FCIAC titles. The Cards, who feature seniors such as Tess Marciano and Lexi Danielson, likely won’t skip a beat as they pursue another tournament bid.

5 INTER-CONFERENCE GAMES TO WATCH

Guilford at New Canaan (Darien Ice House), Friday, Jan. 14, 8:10 p.m.: An SCC-FCIAC matchup which showcases two of the state’s most electric forwards in Guilford’s Maddie Epke and New Canaan’s Kaleigh Harden. Each led their teams in scoring last winter, and each has been named to the GameTimeCT first team for two consecutive years.

Avon co-op at Amity co-op (Astorino Rink, Hamden), Saturday, Jan. 22, time TBA:

The CCC visits the SCC. The co-ops had solid seasons last year, although the Amity Blades’ campaign was cut short due to a quarantine. Both figure to be in the mix for conference and state spots.

Darien at Simsbury (Simsbury Farms Ice Rink), Wednesday, Feb. 9, 7:20 p.m.:

This is actually the second meeting of the season between the two teams who are always at or near the top of the state rankings. The Wave and Trojans play at the Darien Ice House on Jan. 26 and clash again two weeks later at the covered outdoor rink at Simsbury Farms.

West Haven/SHA at Greenwich (Hamill Rink), Tuesday, Feb.

15, 4:30 p.m.: This SCC-FCIAC lastseason crossover features two perennial state playoff contenders. A victory for either team would be a nice springboard into the postseason.

New Canaan at ETB (Newington Ice Arena), Saturday, Feb. 19, 4 p.m.: A possible playoff matchup before the playoffs. The defending FCIAC champion travels north to take on the always-dangerous ETB squad. The last meeting between the two teams went ETB’s way 2-0 in 2020.