This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

Yellowjackets’ Hockey Stunned by South Windsor in State Quarters

The East Haven boys’ ice hockey team saw its season come to an unexpected end in the quarterfinal round of the Division II State Tournament last week. After blowing out Amity by an 8-0 final in the first round, the top-seeded Yellowjackets took a 1-0 loss to No. 9 South Windsor in the quarterfinals on March 11. East Haven finished the 2016-’17 with an overall record of 19-5.

The Yellowjackets got out to a great start in the DII State Tournament by posting an 8-0 victory over No. 16 Amity on their home ice at DiLungo Rink on March 7. East Haven cruised to the victory, backed by star performances from freshmen Nick Capone and Logan Hamilton. Capone scored five times in the lopsided triumph, while Hamilton made 26 saves to record a shutout in his first career state tourney game.

The game started with Capone netting the first goal of the contest just a few minutes in on assists from senior Joe Aloi and freshman Jake Aloi. After that, junior Zach Paquin, who had just returned from an injury, scored before the first period buzzer on assists from the Aloi brothers to make it 2-0 at the end of the one.

Capone scored the first two goals of the second period before Jake Aloi found the back of the net to make it 5-0 through two. Capone’s first goal was assisted by the Aloi’s and his second came on a helper from senior Joe Lorello. Jake Aloi’s goal was unassisted.

In the third period, Capone netted another pair of goals before Joe Aloi scored to put a bow on the 8-0 victory. Sophomore Chris Gigiletti assisted Capone’s first goal of the third, while seniors Matt Latella and Ryan Albert each had a hand in the second. Jake Aloi assisted his brother Joe for the night’s final goal.

The win moved East Haven into the quarterfinals, where the Yellowjackets faced off against South Windsor at Northford Ice Pavilion on March 11. The Easties allowed a first period goal to John Russo and that was all South Windsor needed to upset the Yellowjackets. South Windsor escaped with the 1-0 victory, marking the first time that East Haven was shut out this season. The Yellowjackets were averaging around six goals per game heading into the contest, but they were unable to slide one by South Windsor Max Caouette, despite peppering him with 35 shots. Hamilton recorded 18 saves in goal for East Haven.

From the Sidelines

During the regular season, East Haven posted victories versus New Milford (8-3), Wilton (15-3), the Redhawks (10-1), Cheshire (4-1), Glastonbury (2-1), Hand (8-3), Guilford (9-2), Milford (11-1), Watertown-Pomperaug (4-1), West Haven (7-4), Simsbury (5-4), Amity (3-1), North Branford (10-0), North Haven (10-0), Branford (6-2), Enfield-East Granby-Stafford (6-2), and Westhill-Stamford (8-5).

The Yellowjackets also took defeats against Farmington Valley (8-4), Hamden (6-2), and New Fairfield-Immaculate (4-1) in regular season play.

In the SCC/SWC Division II Tournament, East Haven was the No. 1 seed and earned a 3-0 victory versus No. 4 Watertown-Pomperaug in the semifinals. The Yellowjackets then took a 3-2 overtime loss to No. 3 seed Guilford in the championship game.