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03/17/2019 12:00 AMThe Branford boys’ ice hockey squad skated its way to the championship game of the Division II State Tournament by earning a convincing victory in the semifinals. The top-seeded Hornets dispatched No. 9 seed Wethersfield-Middletown-Rocky Hill-Plainville (W-M-R-P) by 6-1 score in a semifinal contest at Ingalls Rink on March 12.
Branford, which improved to 19-3-3 and has won 11 straight games, will face 6th-seeded Glastonbury (14-7-2) in the Division II state final at Ingalls Rink on Monday, March 18 at 7 p.m. This marks the Hornets’ third appearance in a state final in program history.
“It’s been a great run with a great group of kids,” Head Coach Jim DiNapoli said. “Branford hasn’t won a state title since 1988, so to have an opportunity to win is special.”
Branford scored the first three goals of the game and led wire-to-wire in its state semifinal triumph over W-M-R-P. The Hornets held a 1-0 lead after the first period, led 3-1 through two, and then booked their trip to the final by netting a trio of goals in the final stanza.
Junior Jack Manware had two goals with one assist for Branford. Senior captain Max Bunton had a goal and an assist, as did, juniors Spencer Engstrom and Chris Donadio. Junior Blake Kustra scored the other goal for the Hornets, who saw sophomore goalie Jared Yakimoff make 22 saves in net.
“We played three solid periods and got stronger as the game went on,” said DiNapoli. “The boys played well defensively, limiting odd-man rushes and keeping everything to the outside.”
Branford netted the first goal of the night when Manware scored on an assist from senior Robbie Lionetti to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead 3:40 into the game. Just 2:04 into the second, Manware scored from junior Jake Rivera to make it 2-0.
Later in the period, Engstrom scored from fellow junior Zach Jones to increase Branford’s lead to 3-0 with 5:22 remaining in the frame. The Eagles scored their only goal of the game just 23 seconds, cutting the deficit to 3-1 entering the third period.
Kustra scored a key insurance goal just 1:21 into the third to give the Hornets a 4-1 advantage. Engstrom and Bunton had the assists on the goal. Branford put the game out of reach when Donadio scored from Manware to make it 5-1 with 6:01 to play. With 4:05 remaining, Bunton scored from Donadio to put a bow on a 6-1 victory for Coach DiNapoli’s club.
DiNapoli, who’s been coaching hockey for more than 30 years, said that the 2018-’19 edition of the Hornets is a special group of players.
“From the seniors to our one freshman, they all give 100 percent. Whether they play 45 minutes or 45 seconds a game, they are all equally as committed and equally as important to the club,” said DiNapoli. “I think the success of this season is a reflection of that.”
Branford last played in a state final in 2012, when the Hornets took a 5-3 loss against Trumbull in the Division II championship game. Branford won the Division II state title back in 1988 with a 5-3 win versus Shepaug Valley in the final.
In this year’s tournament, the Hornets advanced to the semis by earning a 6-2 win over No. 13 seed Woodstock Academy in the first round, followed by a 3-1 win against 5th-seeded South Windsor in the quarterfinal round.
Prior to states, Branford posted a regular-season record of 14-3-3 that included a mark of 6-1 in SCC Division II, to claim the division title and earn the top seed in the SCC/SWC Division II Tournament. The Hornets notched a 5-4 (3-2 in a shootout) win versus Guilford in the conference semifinals and then defeated Watertown-Pomperaug by a 2-1 score in the final at Bennett Rink on March 2.