Newtown High School's boys' hockey team carries a three-game winning streak into its final three contests of the regular season, and the Nighthawks are within one victory of qualifying for the Division III state tournament.

The Nighthawks doubled up Joel Barlow of Redding, 6-3 at Danbury Ice Arena, on February 10.

They fell behind 2-1 after one period of play but reeled off a trio of second-period tallies on their way to victory.

David Brestovansky logged a hat-trick, and Jack Hanley, Matthias Paltauf, and Jiyei Hawke also scored. Phil Makris logged a trio of assists, Hanley had two assists, and Hawke, Marc Carlson, and Carl Bianco also had helpers.

Newtown got goals from seven players in a 9-1 triumph over Shepaug-Litchfield.-Thomaston-Nonnewaug, at Gunnery Rink in Washington, on February 14.

Carl Bianco and Phil Makris each scored twice. Brestovansky, Andrew Gardner, Hanley, Paltauf, and Dillon Larkin also lit the lamp. It was Larkin's first varsity goal.

Freshman goaltender Carter Ballard got some varsity ice time. He played a handful of minutes and denied all three shots against.

The Nighthawks carry a record of 7-9-1 and a win percentage of .441 into the last three tilts.

Newtown will ensure a spot in the Division II state tourney with one more win, but can also qualify via ties as long as it finishes with a winning percentage of .400 or greater. The Hawks, through their first 17 games, are seeded 16 in the D-II bracket. They seven wins against D-III teams and a tie with D-II New Milford.

Remaining opponents include Amity of Woodbridge (8-6-1, eighth in D-II), Branford (9-4-1, tenth in D-II), and Daniel Hand of Madison (3-12, 14th in D-III).