Sports
Stamford Ice Hockey Co-op Has Impressive Debut
The new team comprised of Stamford and Westhill high school players rolled to a big victory in its first official outing.
With co-op teams becoming the norm rather than the exception in Connecticut scholastic ice hockey, it was just a matter of time before Stamford’s two public high schools joined forces on the ice.
Dwindling numbers prompted Stamford athletic officials to request a co-op arrangement from the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC). Just six players from last year’s Westhill team and seven returning Stamford skaters were on Saturday’s opening day roster
On opening day Saturday, the merger between the Vikings and the Black Knights paid immediate dividends.
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The team endured an hour and a half bus ride to Enfield, but the return journey was filled with happiness as the new squad took advantage of three power play goals to post a 5-1 victory over the Fermi-Enfield-East Granby-Stafford co-op.
Five different players scored for the Stamford co-op, which does not yet have a nickname - “we’re still working on that,” coach Doug Robinson said - while six skaters earned assists.
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Despite giving up a goal 35 seconds into the season and trailing 1-0 after the first period, Stamford caught fire in the middle session. Cooper Healy tied the game at the 2:05 mark, then John Nielsen scored what proved to be the game-winner on a power play two minutes later, assisted by Chris Clemenson and Gunnar Eriksen.
Owen Kilian added a goal near the midpoint of the period, set up by Ryan Hart and Griffin Smith.
After the second intermission, Stamford came flying out of the locker room, as Smith netted a power play goal off an assist by Nielsen just 39 seconds into the third period. Nick Rich concluded the scoring with 8:10 remaining on another power play, with assists going to Nielsen and Dylan Longo.
Stamford goaltender Christian Compolattaro made 21 saves to earn the victory in net, as his team outshot the Falcons by a 40-22 margin.
Stamford gets right back on the road Monday, traveling to the Mays Rink at the Taft School to take on Watertown-Pomperaug at 8 p.m.
Photo credits: Tim Jensen
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