While scores were closer the next time around the Joel Barlow High hockey team was just shy of catching their opponents in a couple of rematches last week.

The Falcons, who had lost 4-0 to Lyman Hall-Haddam-Killingworth (LHHK) in December, overcame an early deficit with a strong second-period effort last Wednesday, Jan. 8. They were shut out the rest of the way in a 5-3 loss at the Wonderland of Ice in Bridgeport.

LHHK jumped out to 2-0 lead early in the second but the boys from Barlow battled back to take a 3-2 lead in the second with goals by Kyle Converse (Eddie Thiede and Andrew Rejeski assists), Will Sinsigalli (Joey Pirone assist) and Mike McQuade (Sinsigalli and Converse assists), who netted his first high school goal. The visitors tied it up in the second and it stayed that way going into the final frame.

LHHK took the lead again on the first shift and added another one later on the powerplay while keeping the Falcons off the board the rest of the way. Despite the loss, it was a solid effort in which the Falcons seemed to have control of more of the game throughout the match.

Thierry Jean had a busy day in goal for Barlow, making 19 saves.

It was even closer when the Falcons took to the ice on Friday to face the Housatonic Valley Mountaineers. After taking the lead in the first period the Falcons could not make it stick in a 2-1 loss at the Hotchkiss School rink.

Converse got Barlow on the board, assisted by McQuade.

The Mountaineers came back in the second with a pair of goals. Connor Jones, who made his first high school start in goal for Barlow, turned away 25 of 27 shots to help keep his team in contention.

The Falcons had a number of chances to tie it up, including a last second shot by McQuade that missed the corner of the net by mere inches, but could not get the equalizer.

Now 2-6, Barlow hosts Shepaug on Saturday at 4:20 p.m. at the Danbury Ice Arena and takes on Newtown on Wednesday at 7:40, also in Danbury.