The Newtown-New Fairfield co-op high school hockey team advanced to the round of eight in the Division III State Tournament and fell just short of its quest to make a final four appearance dropping a well-played game to the Suffield-Granby-Windsor Locks (SGWL) co-op 3-2 at Wesleyan University in Middletown on March 7.

The neutral site game in an older hockey “barn” added another fun element to what was an entertaining and successful season on many levels. The boys hit the ice for this quarterfinal-round clash with a little jump in their step knowing that effort was a key to success and the first period reflected that on both sides of the ice. The SGWL group had several good opportunities early, but NNF responded with a few of its own. With just over a few minutes remaining in the first, Alex Schmidt was sent to the box for an inadvertent penalty putting the Wildcats on the powerplay. In somewhat of an ironic twist, it was the Nighthawks who have had difficulty on their own power play unit of late that forced the issue and scored the shorthanded goal with just over a minute showing on the clock in the first period. Senior assistant captain and team sparkplug Ryan Anderson outraced an SGWL defender warding him off while picking up the loose puck. The speedy Anderson then outraced him toward the SGWL end and ripped one clean glove side high to put the Hawks up 1-0 and send the bench into a frenzy. The period ended with the Hawks in the lead and feeling good.

The second period brought more of the same as both teams traded scoring chances throughout and both goalies remained steadfast in protecting the net. NNF goaltender Garrett McCollam had to come up big in the first third of the period making a sensational glove save on a breakaway that kept the Hawks in the lead. Just after that Sebastian Cilia extended the lead for NNF as senior captain Ashton Albert fought through traffic to get the puck to Cilia then smartly jumped out of the way to allow Cilia to let it fly from the point. The puck may have gone off an SGWL defender in front on the way but nonetheless the Hawks had a goal to celebrate.

The teams continued to trade chances and numerous fine defensive stops were made by both clubs. The Wildcats finally got on the board with roughly six minutes remaining in the period off the draw when NNF packed it in too tight and overloaded one side allowing a free shooter on the backdoor post. As the team scrambled to get into position too many bodies obscured the sightline of the NNF goaltender, and the puck found its way to the net cutting the lead in half. With renewed momentum the Wildcat team stormed the Hawk zone immediately following the goal and continued to press to get the equalizer. The tying goal came about two minutes later with an eerily similar play. SGWL moved the puck well from east to west and capitalized when the NNF defenders started to run a bit losing zone discipline and allowing another clean shot through traffic that was initially stopped by McCollam but then jammed in at the net front.

With the score tied the Hawks seemingly regained their composure and got back to what had made them successful earlier in the game and once again started to trade opportunities. With the Hawks pressing in the offensive end with just over two minutes in the period the second forward was slow to react to a puck on the boards and as the Hawk defenseman jumped in to pinch the puck into the zone it popped out leading to a 2 on 0 going the other way. McCollam came out to play the shooter knowing a pass was probably coming and it was executed perfectly. SGWL made the connection and tapped it under McCollam as he did the splits trying to preserve the tie. The period ended with the Wildcats on top 3-2 and holding a 24-17 shot advantage.

The third period saw a desperate Hawk team constantly looking for but not getting the quality chances it had manufactured earlier in the game. SGWL on the other hand was finding more success getting inside the Hawk defenders for multiple chances in tight looking to try to put the game out of reach. The teams each traded penalties with SGWL getting the advantage early and NNF having a golden opportunity late with a four-minute advantage.

Unfortunately for the Hawks they never got set up the way they wanted and squandered the power play with only a few routine shots finding their way to the net. Following the power play the Hawks were called for a trip and subsequent delay and the game ended that way with nary another opportunity and excitement on the Wildcat end with disappointment on the Hawk end.

Several players left it all on the ice including seniors Blake Ballard, Anderson, and Cilia as well as juniors Luca Moura and Andrew Sanchez. Senior Jack Albano was a stalwart on D and McCollam fought through leg cramps and turned in a 31-save performance. The Hawks finish ranked seventh in Division III, fourth in the Southern Connecticut/South-West Conference D-III rankings and ended with an overall record of 13-10.

Head Coach Paul Esposito called the team a very good bunch to work with and noted that the players were respectful, good teammates, and better humans. The team enjoyed success both in the league and throughout the state. The Nighthawks won all three of their games against out-of-state opponents. Numerous players were nominated by Esposito for league honors with both senior captain and leading scorer Schmidt and junior assistant captain McCollam awarded Second Team All-SWC honors. Coach Esposito and the entire staff recognized the efforts of all the players stating that it is a team sport, and one player doesn’t necessarily find success without the other.

Schmidt scored 24 goals and had 17 assists in 23 games. McCollam finished with a 3.31 goals against average and .887 save percentage.

“We are very proud of this group and all they were able to accomplish. We are equally excited and delighted by the contributions of our nine seniors as they move to the next chapter of their young lives,” the coach added.