Top Line Lifts Hawk Icemen To Fifth Straight Win

By Andy Hutchison

The top line of Ted Benoit, Christian Blais, and Hunter Dolyak has been a force for the Nighthawks. Thanks to the play of that trio, not to mention the strong efforts of all of their teammates, it seems as if the only thing that can slow down Newtown High School’s hockey team is a snowstorm.

The Nighthawks rolled their fifth straight victory, allowing only a goal in each of the last four contests, two of which were really no contest, to carry a 5-2 record into the weekend. The only scheduled game from which the Nighthawks did not skate away with a win since the second tilt of the season was an anticipated contest against Shepaug-Litchfield on January 11 that was postponed because of snow.

The Nighthawks toppled Masuk of Monroe 7-1 on January 5 and skated past the New Fairfield-Immaculate of Danbury co-op team 6-1 on January 8 — both at Danbury Ice Arena.

In the win over Masuk, the Nighthawks dominated the play by hustling to loose pucks and keeping control in the offensive zone for much of the night. Benoit led the way, scoring three times for a hat-trick, and assisting a tally.

Newtown High Coach Paul Esposito noted that Chris Erikson had a breakout game with strong play in the neutral zone and a three-point effort on a goal and two assists. Matt Vitti showed good hustle and registered a goal and an assist in the win. Evan Isaacs scored twice, and Alex Kelly and Blais both had a pair of assists. Newtown controlled the play and limited Masuk to just 12 shots on goal.

Benoit had two goals and two assists, and Dolyak and Blais each notched a goal and added a pair of assists in the win over New Fairfield-Immaculate. Vitti and Jake Solomons also found the net, and Brett Klein had two assists in the 6-1 triumph.

“It’s good to start winning some games. It’s not really that big of a surprise I think. We just hope we can keep going,” Kelly said.

The Nighthawks are a deep team in which scoring contributions come from throughout the lineup, but that top line has been setting the tone offensively in each game.

“They’re working really well together — number one. They’re bringing a new level of the game to our team. They’re always finding each other on the ice, you know they’re finishing — that’s the big thing,” Esposito said. “Christian, Ted, Hunter — they’re all playmakers, they’re all goal scorers. I think they’re one of the top lines in the state right now.”

“Our momentum’s starting to build up slowly. We’re starting to get really used to each other,” Blais said of the team’s winning streak, during which the Nighthawks have outscored teams a cumulative 22-6.

The Nighthawks are only about a third of the way through the campaign but in great shape to qualify for the Division III state playoffs. The Hawks, however, are not looking past the next opponent.

“We’re taking it day by day now — just trying to rack up the points and trying to get up in the standings,” Blais said.

Newtown’s ability to hold opponents’ offenses at bay is made possible by goaltender Mike Allwein, who lowered his goals against average to 2.57, and a tough defense in front of him.

“Mike’s a competitor. When he’s got the support in front of him, he’s doing really well,” Esposito said.

Newtown allowed eight goals in a season-opening defeat to the Staples-Weston-Shelton team, and five in an overtime defeat to Watertown-Pomperaug before twisting the clamps defensively.

“Our defense is stepping it up — playing a lot better,” Allwein said.

Esposito believes the slow start to the campaign served as a wakeup call for the team members who have responded in a big way.

“We know what we’re capable of, and I think it really sparked the kids to get going,” the coach said.

Newtown will host New Milford in Danbury on Saturday, January 15, at 2:10 pm as they go for their sixth straight victory.

“It’s awesome,” Allwein said of the winning ways. “It gives us confidence as a team going into every day knowing we’re on a winning streak.”