Printer Friendly Version - Guilford Girls’ Hockey, Hoops Win State Tourney Openers, Lose in Next Round

Sophomore Maddie Epke recorded a hat trick when the Guilford girls’ ice hockey squad defeated Amity-North Haven-Cheshire by a 5-3 final in its State Tournament opener. File photo by Kelley Fryer/The Courier

The Guilford girls’ ice hockey squad notched a win in its first game of the State Tournament before taking a loss in the quarterfinal round last week. The Indians, who had won their first SCC title in team history during the previous week, finished the campaign with an overall record of 17-6.

On March 2, No. 9 seed Guilford earned a 5-3 victory at No. 8 Amity-North Haven-Cheshire in a first-round matchup at Lou Astorino Ice Arena. The game was a rematch of the recent SCC final, which the Indians won by a 4-2 score.

In this one, Guilford trailed the Blades 1-0 after the first period, but then scored five goals during the second period to take a 5-3 lead through two. Sophomore Maddie Epke had a hat trick with three goals to go with one assist for the Indians. Senior Mary Evans and sophomore Daniella Vickerman both scored a goal in the victory.

On March 7, Guilford faced off with top-seeded Simsbury in a quarterfinal states game. The Indians took an 11-1 loss against the Trojans at the International Skating Center of Connecticut.

Guilford is the No. 15 seed in the Division II State Tournament and will open up the draw with a first-round road game versus No. 2 seed Hand at 3:45 p.m. on Monday, March 9. If the Indians win, they will face the winner of No. 7 seed Hand and No. 10 Trumbull in the quarterfinal round on Friday, March 13. The semifinals will take place at Ingalls Rink on Tuesday, March 17, and the Division II state final is at Ingalls Rink at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 23.

Guilford earned a victory in its Class L State Tournament opener and then took a loss in a second-round game last week. The Indians finished with an overall record of 8-14 on the campaign.

As the No. 23 seed, Guilford started off states by playing a first-round game at No. 10 Naugatuck on March 3. The Indians earned a 44-21 victory over the Greyhounds to move on to the second round.

Then on March 6, Guilford hit the road to face No. 7 seed Wethersfield for a second-round contest. Guilford was eliminated from the tournament with a 44-25 defeat against the Eagles.

The Indians will compete in the Division II State Tournament as the No. 22 seed this week. Guilford (9-12) is playing a first-round game at No. 11 seed Kolbe Cathedral at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10. With a victory, the Indians would face the winner of No. 6 seed Farmington and No. 27 Newington in the second round at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 12. The quarterfinals are on Monday, March 16; the semifinals are on Wednesday, March 18; and the Division II state final will take place at Mohegan Sun Arena on either Saturday, March 21 or Sunday, March 22.