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12/18/2021 11:00 PMAs Rick Binkowski enters his third year as head coach of the Guilford girls’ ice hockey team, he’s approaching the season with a cautiously optimistic mindset. Last winter, the season started late and featured no State Tournament and, with the COVID-19 pandemic still posing problems, Coach Binkowski wants his players to cherish every moment that they’re out there on the ice this year.
“I think I’m most looking forward to playing a full season. Last year, there was so much uncertainty, and the threat of being shut down at any moment made things very difficult. While I’m very thankful that we were able to have a season, having it be only six weeks long made it feel very unsatisfying,” Coach Binkowski said. “I’m very grateful that our student-athletes are able to get vaccinated, which best protects us from being shut down.”
The Grizzlies are off to a 3-1 start through their first four games of the 2021-’22 season, playing all of those games on the road. After taking a 3-2 loss against Amity-North Haven-Cheshire in its opener, Guilford claimed a 3-2 win over West Haven- Sacred Heart Academy, a 9-1 victory against Hamden-Wilbur Cross- Lyman Hall-O’Brien Tech, and then a 6-3 win versus Hand-Coginchaug-Valley-Old Lyme last week.
“We have a very short bench this year. I told the girls early on that we are going to need to be the best-conditioned team in the league in order to survive. They have responded well and are working very hard,” said Binkowski, whose team went 8-2 last season. “We lost our first game against Amity, but responded well, and got our first win against West Haven-Sacred Heart in a hard-fought battle. The team is coming together quickly, and I think we will prove to be very competitive.”
Sophomores Sofia Cuozzo and Lillian Schroeder scored Guilford’s goals when the team took a 3-2 loss to the Amity co-op in its season opener at Lou Astorino Ice Arena on Dec. 11. Then on Dec. 14, the Grizzlies earned a 3-2 win versus West Haven-Sacred Heart Academy at Bennett Rink behind two goals from senior captain Maddie Epke and a score by Cuozzo.
The following day, Guilford bested the Hamden co-op squad by a 9-1 final at Astorino Arena. Epke and sophomore Ryleigh Gagnon netted three goals apiece in the victory. Senior Haley Kruczek, junior Kim Evans, and freshman Kim Ward each added one goal. Senior captain defender Olivia Gill tallied two assists to help Guilford win the game in convincing fashion.
The Grizzlies concluded their week by claiming a 6-3 win over the Hand co-op at Northford Ice Pavilion on Dec. 17. Cuozzo had three goals with an assist for Guilford. Epke scored a pair of goals, while Gill provided the final goal of the night. Senior captain goalkeeper Julia McDonald is back in net for the Grizzlies and has started all four of the team’s contests this year.
Epke, Gill, and McDonald are serving as Guilford’s senior captains this season. Kruczek and Daniella Vickerman are the two other seniors on the team. Along with Evans, Guilford’s junior class includes Alex Glascoff and Kaili Rosa.
In addition to Cuozzo, Gagnon, and Schroeder, Lila Garuti is a sophomore on the Grizzlies’ roster. Guilford’s freshman class features Olivia Hwang, Cambelle Jacobson, Cassandra Ward, Caroline Hergan, and Leanne Petonito. Freshmen Tania Evans and Charlotte Martocci are Guilford’s team managers.
Coach Binkowski always looks forward to working with his players each season. Binkowski feels happy to have Vickerman back in the fold for her senior campaign after she attended high school elsewhere as a junior.
“It’s always exciting when the team gets back together at the beginning of the season. I also really enjoy meeting the freshmen and other players that are new to the team and getting to know them,” Binkowski said. “Most of all, and I know the team agrees with me, we are very lucky to have Daniella Vickerman back with our team. She is a strong player and a major part of the success we enjoyed when she was a freshman and sophomore. Daniella attended school out of state her junior year, but she is back at Guilford High School for her senior year, and we expect her to pick up right where she left off.”
Coach Binkowski also feels happy that four student-athletes who had no prior hockey experience—Garuti, Hergan, Jacobson, and Petonito—have joined the program for this season.
“The courage that these ladies are showing to come out and learn this very difficult sport is inspiring,” said Binkowski. “It’s players like this that have allowed Guilford High School girls’ ice hockey to remain an independent, one-school team for as long as we have.”
While he’s pleased with his team’s strong start, Coach Binkowski wants to ensure that Guilford takes the time to get ready for every contest this year. The Grizzlies are coming off of back-to-back appearances in the SCC final, and Binkowski is looking for his squad to approach each matchup like it’s a championship game.
“I think the biggest takeaway from last season that is in the forefront of my mind is that we need to prepare for the championships from day one. We need to take every opportunity that we have—every on-ice session, every workout—and use that time to get better,” said Binkowski. “Every player, no matter what level they are at, has room to improve. And that’s the whole team—the coaches, too. We all need to bring our best every day if this team is going to meet the challenge of some very strong competition and realize our potential.”