It’s been quite a run of success for Newtown High School’s hockey team of late — the Nighthawks are riding a five-game winning streak as they get right into the thick of things in the conference playoff hunt.

Newtown earned a 5-2 triumph over Drury, Mass., on February 18. Phil Makris scored twice, and Jack O’Connell, Jack Stanton, and James Celentano all lit the lamp. O’Connell, Celentano, and Eli Kirby each registered an assist.

This win, at Vietnam Veterans Skating Rink in North Adams, Mass., was an extra-special one for Coach Paul Esposito as it marked a return to his alma mater (Drury Class of 1989). A senior captain Esposito cored a goal in western Massachusetts playoff quarterfinals at the Big E Coliseum in Springfield, Mass., and has many great memories of skating in North Adams.

“It was a lot of fun. Just being back there, going in the locker rooms, it hasn’t changed since the late ‘80s,” Esposito said. “It was pretty nostalgic.”

Esposito reflected on his playing days, and recalls great teammates and making lifelong friends.

“Other than that, my love for high school hockey started at Drury, and hockey in general, at that rink. I had dedicated and very passionate coaches and teachers at Drury High School and in North Adams for all sports,” said Esposito, adding that his former coaches made big impacts on student athletes.

“I just hope I’ve done a small part in some form or another what they all did for me. I love coaching, being with the team, teaching, competing,” he added.

Esposito still has family there and has been back to the his old stomping grounds for public skating sessions, but this was the first time he’s coached a game there. After considering a visit to play his former high school in recent years, Esposito got in touch with the Drury coach and set things up.

The Nighthawks have set themselves up for a run at the Southern Connecticut South-West Conference Division III playoffs with their winning ways. The top four teams qualify; NHS is battling the Joel Barlow of Redding co-op for the final spot and owns a tiebreaker, having beaten Barlow. There are three games remaining, beginning with a nonconference contest when Staples of Westport visits Danbury Ice Arena on Saturday, February 22, for a 2:50 pm contest.

In a 5-2 win over visiting Masuk of Monroe in Danbury on February 15, Makris and Celentano each had two goals and an assist. Stanton scored, O’Connell had a pair of assists, and Kirby had an assist.

After a deceptive 0-8 start that included four losses by just one goal, the Nighthawks have won seven of nine.

“We’re playing some good hockey now. We’ve got some momentum going,” Esposito said.