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03/05/2017 11:00 PMThe East Haven boys’ ice hockey team had a rigorous schedule last week as the Yellowjackets played their last two regular season games right before competing in the SCC/SWC Division II Tournament. The Easties won the first three contests, including a 3-0 win over Watertown-Pomperaug to reach the conference final, where they took a 3-2 overtime loss to Guilford on March 4. Guilford scored the winning goal 23 seconds into the overtime period to get the victory at Bennett Rink in West Haven.
“We worked hard and had our chances to win, but I give credit to Guilford and their goaltender. He made two miraculous saves at the end of the game. If any of those shots go in by Mike Dogolo or Jake Aloi, we win,” Head Coach Lou Pane said. “Unfortunately, it wasn’t in the cards for us as he made those two great saves and then they scored the quick one in overtime.”
The SCC/SWC Division II final was a tight game throughout. The top-seeded Yellowjackets jumped on the board first with a goal by Joe Lorello that was assisted by Jake Aloi and Nick Capone. However, Guilford answered back before the period was finished, and the game was tied 1-1 after one.
Following a scoreless second period, Guilford scored a goal to take a 2-1 lead in the third. Later in the frame, Joe Aloi’s goal made it 2-2 and ultimately forced overtime. Just 23 seconds into OT, John Delucia netted the game-winner to give the Indians the Conference Tournament title for the first time. Freshman goalie Logan Hamilton ended the night with 30 saves for the Yellowjackets.
Despite the defeat, Coach Pane praised his players for persevering through a grueling stretch to earn the right to play for the league crown.
“I give them a lot of credit. Any time you’re playing a contact sport, to ask any team to play four games in five nights and three in a row to end it is difficult,” he said. “I can’t ask any more of the effort of my guys.”
Prior to the tournament, East Haven laced up its skates for a pair regular season games. The first was a 6-2 victory over Enfield-East Granby-Stafford. Lorello scored a pair of goals for East Haven, which also received goals from Jake Aloi, Joe Aloi, Dogolo, and Chris Teto. The Yellowjackets followed that up with an 8-5 victory over Westhill-Stamford in their regular season finale.
“Enfield didn’t have a strong team this year, but when we went up against Stamford, it was back-and-forth until the third,” Coach Pane said. “That team had won eight of its last nine, so that’s a good hockey team and a very big win for us.”
Then in the semifinal round of the SCC/SWC DII Tournament, East Haven shutout Watertown-Pomperaug 3-0. Hamilton earned his third shutout of season to slam the door on another team that’s been playing well.
“Logan had such a great game that we went with him in the final against Guilford. Going in he was unbeaten at 11-0 with three shutouts...He has great quickness, great maturity, a great glove hand, takes away a lot from shooters, and is good on his rebounds,” said Pane on Hamilton. “I can’t say enough about the things he does. He plays like an upperclassmen and is such a talented kid, which is why we have a lot of confidence in him.”
Entering the Division II State Tournament, East Haven (18-4) is the No. 1 seed and will host Amity in the opening round on Tuesday, March 7 at 7 p.m. Should the Easties win that game, they will play the winner of No. 8 North Branford and No. 9 South Windsor on Friday, March 10. A win there would send the Yellowjackets back to Ingalls Rink to play in the state semis for the second consecutive year.
“That would be great if we can get back there, but there is a lot of parity in Division II. There are five or seven teams that I think can win it, so we’re going to take it one game at a time,” Pane said. “Amity will be a very tough game for us. They played us really tight a few weeks ago, so we’re expecting a real close game [on March 7].”