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Week Ended 3/21/2010
The Northwestern Bantam A team represented the State of Connecticut at the Tier III New England Sectionals this past weekend, coming within one goal of the championship. This is the first time in anyone's memory that a team from Northwestern Connecticut has done so. Please read on for the exciting results.
Geary’s Plumbing Bantam A - 3 Weymouth Mass - 1
Northwestern represented Connecticut in the New England Sectionals, facing teams from New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont. The first opponent for the IceHawks was from Weymouth Mass. Weymouth scored with only seconds remaining in the first period, but that would be their only goal. Cole Case would score in the first minute of the second period off a nice pass from Jonathan Manzer. Later in the period Kevin Monagan would score the go ahead goal off an assist from Blaine McMahon. In the final seconds of the game Case and Manzer would combine again to score an empty net goal. The defense of Greg Valentine and Joey Hicks were strong in front of goalie CJ Petruska.
Geary’s Plumbing Bantam A - 2 Central Maine - 0
In game 2 Northwestern faced Central Maine. Patrick Hess scored in the first period off a pass from Tyler Kirkwood. It remained a 1 goal game until the IceHawks power play finally was successful with Lorenzo Stellato scoring with Blaine McMahon getting the assist. The defensive efforts of Greg Valentine and John Jones allowed goalie Zach Sibert to make some solid saves and earn the shut out.
Geary’s Plumbing Bantam A - 2 Louisville New York - 3
Northwestern faced a team from Louisville New York in game 3. Louisville got on the board first with a bullet of a shot from outside the zone. The IceHawks were up against a bigger and stronger team but were up for the challenge. Before the end of the first period, the game would be tied when Jonathan Manzer would connect with Cole Case who found the back of the net. Louisville scored in the second to make it a 1-2 game, but the IceHawks tied up the game in the third period when Jonathan Manzer scored off a pass from Christian Stuart. Greg Valentine and Lorenzo Stellato stepped up on defense with CJ Petruska in net. Northwestern was bound for the Semi Finals early Sunday morning.
Geary’s Plumbing Bantam A - 3 Woonsocket Rhode Island - 2
In the Semi Final game Northwestern was pitted against Woonsocket RI. This would be a penalty ridden game with a total of 18 between the two teams. The team with the most effective penalty kill and power play would come out on top. The IceHawks killed off 8 penalties without giving up a goal and Lorenzo Stellato even scored a shorthanded goal. Stellato carried the puck the length of the ice, and with two opponents trying to take him down, still managed to get off a shot that got by the goalie. Going into the third period, Northwestern found themselves behind on the scoreboard. That's when the IceHawks power play kicked in. Joey Hicks tied up the game off a pass from Stellato. Two minutes later Patrick Hess scored to put the IceHawks in the lead. The team from Woonsocket fought hard but the IceHawks were not ready to go home. Northwestern was on their way to the Finals and a rematch with Louisville NY.
Geary’s Plumbing Bantam A - 2 Louisville New York - 3
The finals would be a rematch between Northwestern and the team from Louisville NY. This time the IceHawks knew what they would be up against and were ready. The IceHawks came out strong and were persistent in knocking their opponents off the puck and slowing them down. Louisville would score in the first period. In the second period, John Jones and Patrick Hess would get the puck to Tyler Kirkwood who would bounce one in off the goalie. Unfortunately, Louisville would score again within 30 seconds. With seven minutes left in the game, Lorenzo Stellato found Tommy Barkal open in front of the net and Tommy scored. Louisville would call a timeout with 2:25 remaining. Northwestern took advantage of this and came out on fire. They took a flurry of shots, but couldn't slip one in. But the pressure on the Louisville goalie prevented them from pulling their goalie until the game was almost over. At the end of regulation, the game was tied and headed for a 10 minute sudden death overtime. Northwestern had their chances, but couldn't get the needed goal and with three minutes left a Louisville player was left alone to get off a shot. The season was over for the IceHawks. The Geary Bantam A team finished with a final record of 33-13-5. The boys and their coaches have much to be proud of.
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