Conard Hockey: A 'Belief' Was Key To Reaching CIAC Boys Final

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The players and coaches of the Conard High School boys hockey team all say don't let the No. 9 ranking fool you heading into Thursday's Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Division III final against the Newington Co-op. The feeling of a potential title was present all along, they insist, despite a sluggish ride through the early and mid part of the season.

"You know ... we're not surprised at all," coach Jason Olson said Tuesday during the traditional CIAC pre-final news conference. "It's been something from the very beginning that the guys told us. They believed in it 100 percent and never wavered. We continued to talk about winning states."

The No. 9 seed is a reflection on inconsistencies that led to a 3-8-1 record from Dec. 18 through Feb. 5. Since then, Conard (9-9-2 after the regular season) has been a force — even with a few third-period heroics.

"We never stopped believing," Olson said. "We showed up with extra effort each day. Now, the chemistry's right with this group of kids. It's incredible."

Though the team is a mixture of young talent and veteran high school players, Olson said he feels good for the seniors who have endured the coronavirus age.

"It's just been huge for the upper classmen," Olson said. "These guys have been through a lot. They have weathered and experienced a lot and are sick of it. They decided to make impact."

The final is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the People's United Center at Quinnipiac University.

Conard has twice won a boys state hockey championship, both in Division II — in 1996 and 1985.

Senior Jack Wenz said a state final never let the thoughts of the players.

"We had been talking about making a run at states since before season started," he said. "It took a while learning how to play with each other — but we never never doubted where end up as a team."

Senior Brian Fahl said it was not uncommon for players to show up 45 minutes early to practice.

"Everybody on the team team deserves it," he said.

Senior Harrison Sweeney said the chemistry has always been there during the season.

"Honestly it's just been like that since Day 1 ... a real fun time ," he said.

Click here for full rosters and season results.

Tickets to see the game in person can be purchased through the CIAC website.

The game will be shown on the NFHS Network, which has the exclusive rights to air the games. See the latest streaming schedule on the CIAC site or https://t.co/ZCE4s4rORS.