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Branford Boys’ Hockey, Girls’ Basketball Start Season with Wins

Boys’ Ice Hockey

On the heels of a dream season, the Branford boys’ ice hockey team started off the 2019-’20 campaign by rallying for a 4-3 overtime victory versus Glastonbury last week. On Dec. 18, the Hornets traveled to Trinity College in West Hartford and edged out Glastonbury in a rematch of last year’s Division II state final. Senior Chris Donadio won it for Branford by netting a goal during the overtime period.

Glastonbury scored two goals in the first period to take a 2-0 lead over Branford. With 10:42 left in the second period, senior Spencer Engstrom scored on an assist from freshman Matt Morgan to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Engstrom scored an unassisted goal to tie the game at 2-2 with 10:48 remaining in the third period. After Glastonbury scored a goal to go up 3-2, Branford tied the game again when senior Blake Kustra scored from junior Billy Linder with 5:06 to play.

The game went to overtime, where Donadio scored on an assist from senior Jack Manware to give the Hornets a 4-3 victory. Junior goalie Jared Yakimoff earned the win in net for Branford.

Jim DiNapoli returns for his fourth season as Branford’s head coach. Last year, the Hornets won the SCC/SWC Division II title and the Division II state title on their way to finishing with an overall record of 20-3-3.

Girls’ Ice Hockey

The Branford-North Branford- Cheshire girls’ ice hockey squad hosted Amity-North Haven- Cheshire for an afternoon game on Dec. 18. The Wings took a 7-3 defeat to the Blades at Patsy DiLungo Ice Rink to move to 0-2 on the season.

Girls’ Basketball

The Hornets traveled to Bridgeport to face Bullard-Havens for their season opener on Dec. 18. Branford claimed a 49-23 victory over the Tigers in a non-conference game to start the year on a positive note.