Having re-entered the FAA and with a new head coach, the young Hornets Ice Hockey team has had its toughest games of the season up front and with literally no team playing time in advance of the season's onset. That is a difficult feat especially when the Hornet schedule has them playing the team with the best record in the FAA last season, followed by the team who won the FAA last season, in their first handful of games.
After the 7-1 league loss to Harvey on 11/30 (R. Reynolds (1)), the Hornets took on The Wooster School on 12/5 and came out with a 6 - 2 victory on scoring from Manger (2), R. Reynolds (1), Malonis (1), Martinelli (1), and Coppola (1). The Hamden Hall defense was able to limit the Wooster squad to only 16 shots on net with Coggins saving 14 of those shots.
Next, on 12/10, this mostly young Hornet squad having only three active playing upperclassmen, ventured to Avon Old Farms and tackled the task of playing the Avon Old Farms Varsity B team in a non-league match. For those who do not know, Avon Old Farms is a "Hockey School". Many public school skaters have left their schools to go and play for Avon Old Farms. Some have gone on to play in the NHL. Avon has four teams so the Varsity B team represented an older, bigger, and faster playing squad than the Hornet team has seen as a team. Well, the first period did not go well - as the Hornets scrambled to adjust to the Avon team. However, the team found its grove in the second and third periods. Although the scoreboard showed a 9-0 loss, like in the Harvey game and mostly accrued in the first period, there is something about this Hornet team that makes us optimistic for the remainder of the season. This Hornet team plays a full three periods and does not stop until the buzzer sounds. It is exciting to watch them rise to the occasion, as they play much tougher teams than most High School teams play, and to see them fight. For some of our players, this is the first they've played at this level and speed.
Yesterday, the Hornets took on the Rye Country Day School Wildcats. Rye won the FAA league title last year defeating Harvey. Again, the game did not go as hoped for with a 9-2 loss, but once again, there is a silver lining to this story. The Hornets goals came from Coppola(1) and Martinelli(1). Rye is a team of 14 returning players, including several juniors and seniors who they hope will carry them to another league title. Coming into this game Rye was undefeated thus far this season. Again, the Hornets put out 100% and kept Rye's team having to play the entire game. Goalie - Coggins made some spectacular saves. The Hornets are developing quite the penalty kill as just shy of a period of play was spent killing one penalty or another. Post-game, one of the Rye coaches was overheard saying how he does not look forward to seeing this Hornet team in the next couple of years.
Despite the three losses this early in the season, currently 0-2 in FAA play, a generally young team which includes some talented eighth graders, and literally a first year, first season goalie, your Hornet team, under the guidance of Head Coach Belcher, Assistant Coach Scarinci, and the rest of the Hamden Hall coaching staff, is working hard and improving with each game.
The Hornets will next take on Wethersfield this Friday(12/14 7:45PM Northford Ice Pavilion), and then on 12/17 they will take on Harvey, in a rematch, at 4:45PM at the Northford Ice Pavilion. Please come on out and show your support for your Hornet Ice Hockey team!
