Tri-Town Ends Enfield's Season

Mike Hanna scored two goals, including a backbreaking shorthanded tally midway through the second period, and Mitch Diresta made 19 saves to lead Tri-Town past Enfield, 4-1 in the first round of the Northern Hockey Conference tournament Wednesday at the Enfield Twin Rinks.

Tri-Town (12-9) will play for the tournament championship Saturday against the winner of Thursday's Suffield/North Branford matchup.

After a scoreless first period, Justin Locke put Tri-Town in front at 3:17 of the second, assisted by Steve Pernal. A minute and a half later, Hanna scored his first goal, assisted by Cullen Roberts and Ian Leiching.

"We were fortunate to get on the board first, and we put away our chances," Tri-Town head coach Paul Dowe said.

With Tri-Town down a man, Hanna took a pass from Ronnie Williams, broke in on Enfield goaltender Zack Audet and fired a wrist shot into the net to put his team up, 3-0.

The Raiders got back into the game early in the third period, when Nick Varner scored off an assist from Ian McDonald. Enfield nearly made it a one-goal game with 2:35 remaining, but Tyler Watts clanged a shot off the goalpost.

Dan Bell iced the game for Tri-Town by scoring with 1:24 to play, assisted by Leiching and Cody Roy.

Tri-Town outshot the Raiders, 36-20.

Enfield finished its season with a 6-14-1 record.