Ringing In The Holidays With A Win

AVON, Conn. - Avon Old Farms School hosted the 34th Annual Christmas Hockey Classic Thursday, Dec. 15, through Saturday, Dec. 17. After three days packed with games, Avon Old Farms once again came out on top.

The first two days of the annual tournament feature round-robin action among the schools divided into two divisions - the Pierpont and the Trautman named for Avon Old Farms former headmasters. The final day features inter-divisional matchups based on the prior days’ results. Each team competes in four games.

Avon's quest for the trophy began during a 5 p.m. game against St. Paul's Thursday. The home team was off to a strong start, up 3-0. St. Paul's battled back in the second half of the game, resulting in a final score of 3-2 for Avon.

Next, the Winged Beavers took on Berkshire Friday morning. The teams played point-for-point, taking the match into overtime and then a shoot out. Avon emerged victorious with a final score of 4-3 thanks to a goal by John Giatrelis '17. Later that same evening, Avon played Tabor Academy. After a 3-3 tie, the match took Avon to another shoot out, and a goal from sophomore Trevor Zegras led the Winged Beavers to another victory. The final score was 4-3.

Saturday's games were organized so that the top-ranked team from each division met in the final championship game at 3:30 p.m. Loomis Chaffee of the Pierpont Division scored the first goal in the first period, which Avon, of the Trautman Division, could not match until the second period. In the third period, Nick Wildgoose '18 scored a goal with just over 2 minutes remaining to break the 1-1 tie, winning Avon the championship. Avon goalie Spencer Knight was named MVP, with 41 saves in the championship game.

Each year, the Classic is made up of eight prep school teams, including Avon Old Farms, Berkshire School, Gunnery, Kent, Loomis Chaffee, St. Paul's, Tabor and Trinity-Pawling. Teams are welcomed by Avon and given housing in campus dormitories for their stay, and are provided with meals in the school’s refectory. That setting, along with the holiday spirit, makes for a unique sense of camaraderie while playing in a competitive tournament.

For more information on the Avon Old Farms School hockey program, visit avonoldfarms.com.