Jr. Colonials Skate To Victory And Dramatic Tie

The Western CT Jr. Colonials Pee Wee A team, the Jr. Colonials, in a Connecticut Hockey Conference match this past Saturday, faced off against an undefeated Simsbury youth hockey team at the Danbury Ice Arena, and handed Simsbury its first loss of the season by a score of 5-2. Playing this contest on their home ice, the Jr. Colonials came out strong and dominated the early part of the game, out-skating the Simsbury team, applying constant offensive pressure and employing a neutral zone defensive scheme that helped stifle Simsbury’s offensive parries up the ice.

The Jr. Colonials took the lead on a goal by Tyler Trombetta which was set up by Frank Haklits. Forward Dan Harrison swooped behind the Simsbury net and banked in a tricky shot off of the back of the Simsbury goalie for a 2-0 lead.

 After Simsbury cut the lead to 2-1, defenseman Kevin Keiser took a pass from Steven Almeida and deposited a smooth writ shot from the point off of the crossbar for a 3-1 advantage. Simsbury got back to within a goal before the Colonials answered. Defenseman Owen Sandercox capped a beautiful rush up the right side of the ice with a crisp pass to forward Matt Hooker who scored to restore the two-goal lead.

Jr. Colonials goaltender Patrick McLoughlin protected the lead and Sandercox scored on top-shelf wrister from the top of the left circle. The 5-2 win raised the Jr. Colonials’ CHC Tier 3 record to 8-3 and dropped Simsbury to 10-1.

 On Sunday, the Jr. Colonials fought back to earn a 4-4 tie against a tough Tier 2 Avon-Canton-Farmington Panthers team at the Avon Old Farms Rink in Avon. The Panthers had a significant team-size advantage over the Jr. Colonials and attempted to physically intimidate the Jr. Colonials in the early going and were penalized for slashing, boarding and hitting from behind. The Jr. Colonials refused to back down from the onslaught, throwing numerous, hard checks of their own. Down 2-0, Hayden Savoia scored on a high shot to slice the deficit to a goal. Haklits and Harrison assisted on the play. The Panthers led 3-1 heading into the third but the Jr. Colonials clawed their way back into the game when Haklits found Harrison on the left wing for a goal on a wrist shot. Savoia got his second goal of the game, this one from in close, assisted by Steven Almeida and Sandercox, to tie the game. The Jr. Colonials continued to attack throughout the remainder of the game and trailing 4-3, head coach Pete McLean pulled his goaltender to add an extra attacker. The Jr. Colonials buzzed around the perimeter of the offensive zone, making quick passes and looking for a clear shot. The puck was then passed out to the point from hard work by Almeida and Savoia, and Sandercox finished off the play by finding the upper right corner of the net with a mere 11 seconds left  to tie the game at 4-4.

All four Jr. Colonials goals in the game were scored by Newtown skaters.

After the contest was over, coach McLean commented, “There are bad ties and there are good ties. This was definitely a good tie.” The Jr. Colonials hope to keep their momentum going this weekend with away games against Darien and Greater New Haven.