Fairfield Prep Repeats As Ice Hockey Champions

NEW HAVEN, CT - For the second straight year, fifth time this decade and 18th occasion overall, Fairfield Prep reigns as champions of the Connecticut high school ice hockey scene.

Five different players scored goals as the Jesuits defeated Notre Dame-West Haven 5-2 in the Division I championship game Tuesday at the Ingalls Rink at Yale University.

Thomas Quinn opened the scoring with 4:24 left in the first period, converting a rebound off assists from Mason Whitney and Aksel Sather. Lucas Baksay added a second tally just after expiration of a Green Knight penalty with 46 seconds left before the first intermission, assisted by Connor Boyle.

Jack Esse made it 3-0 early in the second period, assisted by Boyle. The Jesuits then killed off a Notre Dame power play, including 35 seconds of a two-man advantage.

The Green Knights seemed to gain some momentum at the 11:11 mark on a goal by Rory Andriole, with assists going to Ian Hayden and John D'Errico. That momentum was quickly stifled, however, as Whitney retaliated for Prep just 45 seconds later, assisted by Quinn and Cooper Eckert.

Colin Bella added an insurance goal for the Jesuits early in the third period. Charles Andriole closed out the scoring for the Green Knights with a nifty end-to-end rush with just over six minutes remaining.

Jake Walker stopped 21 shots to earn the victory in goal for Fairfield Prep.

Video credit: Tim Jensen/Patch Media Corp.