WestieBlue
State Champions - 1949, 1961, 1964, 1976, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1994
All-State Players - Ray Luedee '75; Mark Carlo '76, '77; Marty Crouse '77, '78; Don MacMillan '77; Eddie Merola '79; Bob Serenson '84; Jay Andrew '84; Mark Anquillare '84; Mike Gilbert '87; Mike Woznyk '87; Paul Mulligan '88; Darrell Galasso '90; Rob Kryznel '93; Keith Dupee '94; Shaun Jackson '00; Aaron Beauvais '00; Tom Withington '00; Mark Heffernan '00, '01, '02; Brandon Fanelli '02; Jim Lafo '02; Chris Quagliani '02; Ron Baia '03; Nick Quagliani '03; Chris Shore '04; Joe Pereira '05; Ken Comfort '06; Joe Innamorato '07; John Ascenzia '10; Tim Baylis '10; J.P. Withington '11; Kyle Leyerzapf '12; Mike Troiano '12; Austin Hansen '13; Mike Savino '14; Alex Scranton '14; Mike Savino '15; Tyler Paine '16; Pete Richetelli '17; Brendan Serenson '17; Alex Lynch '17
BOYS HOCKEY 2017-2018
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Lancers top Westies in OT
Pacapelli scores lone WH goal
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(January 27, 2018) - With the season quickly passing the midpoint, the West Haven boys hockey team needs to get on a run. Unfortunately for the Westies, they are on a run they hope to stop.
Matt O'Rourke's overtime goal gave Notre Dame-Fairfield a 2-1 victory over West Haven Saturday afternoon at the Edward L. Bennett Rink in West Haven.
The loss was West Haven's third in a row and the team dropped to 0-6-1 in its last seven games.
The game started in fine fashion for West Haven as E.J. Pacapelli shot to the lower left corner through a screen off an assist from Richie Greene for a 1-0 lead 8:20 into the game.
That lead lasted just 3:02 as Jason Ziegler evened the score off an assist from A.J. Bouvier.
Despite the Lancers owing a 32-16 shot advantage in the contest, they would not score again until O'Rourke found the back of the net in overtime.
Logan Cole made 30 saves in the loss for West Haven as the Westies fell to 2-9-1.
Green Knights thump Westies
Rivals post 4-1 victory over West Haven
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(February 2, 2018) - When cross-town rivals Notre Dame and West Haven meet on the ice, nothing extra is needed to add to the intensity. Add a pre-game ceremony which honors First Responders, and a state championship team from over 60 years ago, and you have the makings of a special day.
When 45 minutes were completed on the ice, the Green Knights, ranked third in the Register/GameTimeCt Top 10 poll, dominated the Westies 4-1 in a Division I contest at the Edward L. Bennett Rink Saturday afternoon.
“We are getting better,” Notre Dame coach Tim Belcher said. “We had plenty of chances today. Any time you put 56 shots on goal, you want to score more goals. But, you have to give a lot of credit to Logan (Cole). He played great today. He played a fantastic game.”
West Haven goaltender Logan Cole was the lone bright spot on the day for the Westies, turning aside 52 shots as the Westies were outshot 56-6 in the game. The Green Knights dominated in every facet of the game, but Cole kept his team within striking distance until late in the third period.
“Logan was unbelievable today,” West Haven coach Joe Morrell said of Cole. “He showed up to play. They just beat us to every puck. They won every battle.”
Prior to the contest with the city rivals, there was a ceremony honoring the 1950-1951 West Haven hockey team which won the state championship, but was never included on the state championship banner which has been displayed at the Edward L. Bennett Rink for several decades.
Three members of that championship team of 67 years ago - Tom Lawson, Jim McKeon, and Tom Knudsen - were on hand to see the team recognized with the other West Haven hockey state championship seasons. The 1950-1951 team finished the regular season 8-0-1, outscoring its opponents 48-12 and averaging 5.3 goals scored and 1.3 goals allowed per game.
“This means everything to them,” Bill Meaney, whose father Jack played on the 1950-1951 championship team, said. “They are very proud of what they accomplished. They are now placed with all the great West Haven High School hockey teams. They were a pretty dominant team.”
Bill Meaney actually noticed the team was not recognized on the banner when he went to a fall league game at the rink to see his daughter play. After confirming the team was a state championship squad, Meaney contacted West Haven athletic director Jon Capone, and worked with West Haven Superintendent of Schools, Neil C. Cavallaro, and the Board of Education to make everything happen so quickly.
“Jon Capone was very gracious,” Meaney said. “He made numerous phone calls and got verification. We picked out a date quickly, and we coordinated with the Board of Education. I want to thank Neil Cavallaro for meeting.”
Michael Bencivengo led the Green Knights with a goal and an assist, including the lone goal of the first period to give the Green Knights a 1-0 lead after 15 minutes of play. The opening period also saw Notre Dame hold a 14-1 shot advantage in the period.
Bencivengo then set up Zack Dumas just 52 seconds into the second period for a 2-0 lead. When Kevin Millea’s blast from the point beat Cole with 6:14 left in the middle period, Notre Dame held a 3-0 advantage.
“We wanted to put a lot of shots on net,” Bencivengo said. “We moved the puck well. We made it easier on ourselves by not allowing them a lot of shots. We are playing well right now.”
West Haven, which struggled to generate any offense in the game and is 0-7-1 in its last eight games, finally got on the scoreboard with 7.1 seconds left in the middle period. Off a faceoff, Niko Kyle roofed a shot under the crossbar to get West Have within two goals.
The Westies (2-10-1) never got closer as a stifling Notre Dame pressure, held West Haven scoreless on five power play opportunities.
The Green Knights (9-5) put the game away with six minutes to go in the game as Ian Hayden scored off assists from Devin Napoli and Thomas Ashmore.
Cole made several outstanding saves in the victory, with his best coming in a sequence of the second period in which the Westies were down by a pair of goals. Cole denied Micahel Ansaldo with a pad save, then followed with a tremendous pad save off Bencivengo on the rebound. Cole also denied Bencivengo on a breakaway in the third.Napoli and Christopher Hibson each finished with a pair of assists, while Hayden also had a goal and an assist. Nicholas Piselli finished with six saves in the win for the Green Knights.
Westies blanked by Xavier
Falcons shut out WH 6-0
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(February 10, 2018) - Since topping Simsbury in early January and climbing within a game of .500, the West Haven hockey team has failed to see a victory since. That run continued Saturday afternoon with a 6-0 loss to Xavier at the Edward L. Bennett Rink in West Haven.
The Westies have gone 0-8-1 since defeating Simsbury and have dropped to 2-11-1 on the year.
E.J. Pacapelli (11) looks to make a play against Xavier, February 10, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Logan Cole and Charles Miller combined to make 38 saves, but it was not enough in the loss to the Falcons. Cole finished with 30 saves.
Anthony DiPreta was the star of the game for Xavier as he score three times and added an assist in the win.
DiPreta gave the Falcons a 1-0 lead just 3 minutes, 34 seconds into the game with a short-handed goal, then increased the margin to 2-0 when he put in a rebound of a point shot by Kevin Lynch with 4:19 remaining in the opening period.
West Haven's best opportunity to get on the scoreboard in the opening period came with 30 seconds remaining as E.J. Pacapelli was denied off the right wing by Xavier goaltender Tyler Beaulieu.
Robbie Forleo (3) against Xavier, February 10, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
After Beaulieu denied Pacapelli with a blocker save four minutes into the second and turned aside Niko Kyle from in front 2:17 later, DiPreta extended the lead to 3-0 with 6:49 left in the middle period. When DiPreta helped set up Chase Maxwell's goal with 3:15 to go in the second. Xavier had a commanding 4-0 advantage.
North Rockland doubles up Westies
WH falls 10-5
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(February 12, 2018) - The West Haven boys hockey team was looking to get off to a quick start Monday evening when it played host to North Rockland, New York. The Westies got that start, but were unable to finish in a 10-5 loss at the Edward L. Bennett Rink.
The loss dropped the Westies to 2-12-1 on the season and increased their winless stretch to ten games, where the Westies are 0-9-1.
The Westies battle for possession against North Rockland, New York, February 12, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Collin Braziel gave the Westies a 1-0 lead 3 minutes, 39 seconds into the game, before North Rockland scored twice in 2:15 to take a 2-1 lead. E.J. Pacapelli evened the game at two off assists from Niko Kyle and Braziel with 3:31 left in the first, before Robbie Forleo gave West Haven a 3-2 advantage with 42 seconds remaining in the opening period off assists from Braziel and Nick Boanno.
Collin Braziel (27) against North Rockland, New York, February 12, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
From that point on, it was all North Rockland as the guests scored eight goals in the final two periods. North Rockland outshot West Haven 52-21 in the game.
Logan Cole made 35 saves for West Haven, while Charles Miller came in and stopped seven shots.
Kyle scored with 2:41 remaining in the game for West Haven's final tally on the day.
Kyle leads Westies
Junior scores four times in 6-2 win over Milford
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(February 14, 2018) - Niko Kyle and his West Haven teammates have been through a tough stretch this season. The last 10 games have not been pleasant.
Going 0-9-1 in that time, the Westies have been looking to stop the skid. Kyle picked a great time to break out.
Scoring four times and adding an assist, the junior helped his team to a 6-2 victory over Milford on Senior Night at the Edward L. Bennett Rink in West Haven Tuesday evening.
Niko Kyle (12) celebrates one of his four goals against Milford, February 14, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
E.J. Pacapelli concluded him home career in a West Haven uniform with two goals and an assist, fellow senior Collin Braziel had three assists, and senior Logan Cole made 29 saves.
Milford scored first just 3 minutes, 37 seconds into the game on a tally by Jason Lavallee, but West Haven (3-12-1) scored the next six goals.
Kyle evened the game off an assist from Nick Boanno 3:43 later, and the junior gave West Haven the lead for good with 5:16 left in the opening period off an assist from Pacapelli.
The Westies continued to mount the pressure in the second period, but both Braziel and Robbie Forleo were denied seconds apart with just over seven minutes to go.
Kyle then picked up a rebound of a Braziel shot and scored on the power play with 6:52 remaining for a 3-1 advantage as Forleo also picked up an assist.
Collin Braziel against Milford, February 14, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Kyle did the same once again, picking up the rebound of a Braziel shot and scoring on the power play with 4:11 to go in the middle period for a 4-1 advantage.
The Westies added another power play goal, this one off the stick of Pacapelli. Braziel took the initial shot, and Pacapelli knocked in the rebound with an assist going to Forleo as well for a 5-1 advantage with 1:15 left in the middle period.
Pacapelli capped the scoring for the Westies with 40 seconds to go in the period as he tallied off assists from Forleo and Kyle.
SGWL tops Westies
WH falls on road 5-2
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(February 17, 2018) - Looking to get on a winning streak as the postseason approaches, the West Haven boys hockey team traveled to play Suffield/Granby/Windsor Locks Saturday evening. Despite scoring first in the contest, the Westies were unable to extend their winning streak to two games, falling to SGWL 5-2.
West Haven (3-13-1) got on the scoreboard first as Kevin Moriarty scored with 4 minutes, 14 seconds remaining in the opening period off assists from Collin Braziel and Niko Kyle.
The lead was short-lived as SGWL and Brian Liss countered 16 seconds later to even the game at one.
The Westies took their final lead of the game early in the second period as Robbie Forleo scored off an assist from E.J. Pacapelli for a 2-1 advantage.
SGWL again tied the contest as Connor Mathews scored with 9:08 left in the middle period.
SGWL took control of the game to start the third period, scoring twice in the first 1:23, including both in a span of 24 seconds.
Tyler Gazdir gave SGWL a 3-2 lead 59 seconds in, and Mathews followed 1:23 in for a 4-2 advantage.
Cole leads Westies
Senior stymies Cheshire in 4-1 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(February 19, 2018) - The West Haven boys hockey team won for the second time in three games with a 4-1 victory over Cheshire Monday afternoon at Wesleyan University. With the victory, West Haven improved to 4-13-1 on the year.
Senior goaltender Logan Cole was outstanding in net, making several big saves to keep the Westies in front. When all was said and done, Cole finished with 51 saves in one of his best performances of the season.
West Haven took a 1-0 lead 6 minutes, 34 seconds into the contest when Collin Braziel scored the first of his two goals, off assists from Kevin Moriarty and Niko Kyle
The Westies increased the lead to a pair of goals when Kaden Morgillo scored an unassisted goal 3:06 into the second. With 1:04 remaining in the middle period, West Haven took a 3-0 lead when Braziel scored off assists from Robbie Forleo and Kyle.
Cheshire finally solved Cole with 5:30 remaining, but Kyle answered with 2:47 to go for a 4-1 lead.
Westies fall to Glastonbury
Depleted team drops 2-1 decision
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(February 24, 2018) - The West Haven boys hockey team traveled to Glastonbury Saturday evening minus a few players. With injuries and illnesses taking their course, the Westies were short-handed coming off the bus.
While the Westies did not have a full compliment of players, they gave it their all, before falling 2-1 Saturday evening. With the loss, West Haven fell to 4-14-1 on the year.
Logan Cole was again solid in goal with 44 saves, and Niko Kyle continued his hot streak with another goal.
Trailing 1-0 in the third period, West Haven scored the equalizer 5:38 in when Kyle found the back of the net off assists from Kaden Morgillo and Richie Green.
The Westies looked as if they would at least go to overtime, but Adam Paetto scored with 2:10 remaining to send the Westies to defeat.
Heartbreaker
Valiant effort falls short in 4-3 OT loss to Hamden
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(March 1, 2018) - Losing two of its last three games, one would not think the West Haven hockey team has been playing well. That has not been the case.
Unfortunately for the Westies, the two losses have been by one goal each time. Wednesday evening in Hamden was the latest in a bunch of tough losses on the season for the Westies as they erased a three-goal deficit, only to fall to the Green Dragons 4-3 in overtime in the regular season finale at Lou Astorino Rink in Hamden.
The loss concluded the regular season with West Haven finishing with a mark of 4-15-1.
Niko Kyle (12) scores against Hamden, February 28, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Trailing 3-0 in the second period, Niko Kyle got the Westies on the scoreboard to get within a pair of goals entering the third period.
Kevin Moriarty took over, scoring twice in a span of 1 minute, 19 seconds to even the game at three.
Moriarty's first goal, off assists from Kyle and Robbie Forleo got the Westies within a goal 4:19 into the final period. Moriarty then evened the game 1:19 later, putting all the momentum on West Haven's side.
Kevin Moriarty (14) scores against Hamden, February 28, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The Westies could not capitalize in the final minutes of the third period, forcing the game to go to overtime.
Hamden's Eddy Fracasso took over, scoring his third goal of the contest off assists from Michael Gethings and Ben Chicoine at the 6:44 mark to give Hamden the win.
Fracasso had scored twice in the second period in the first 5:20 to extend Hamden's lead to 3-0 as A.J. Luedee opened the scoring in the opening period for the Green Dragons.
West Haven's Logan Cole finished with 31 saves in the loss, while Hamden goaltender Steven Turner finished with 17 saves.
Gethings assisted on all four Hamden goals, while Luedee finished with a goal and an assist.
Moriarty led the Westies with two goals, whiel Kyle finished with a goal and an assist.
THE HOME OF WEST HAVEN SPORTS
Westies fall in Opener
Greenwich posts 5-2 victory
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(December 20, 2017) - West Haven hockey coach Joe Morrell knows his team might go through some growing pains this season. Losing a bulk of its scoring from last season, West Haven will need a collective team effort to be successful this season.
After one game, the Westies still have a ways to go. Trailing from the start, West Haven fell to Greenwich 5-2 in the season opener at the Edward L. Bennett Rink in West Haven Wednesday evening.
Logan Cole makes a save against Greenwich, December 20, 2017. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The Westies never had the lead in the contest, falling behind by two goals in the opening period, before Collin Braziel scored off an assist from Niko Kyle with 34 seconds left in the opening period. Braziel came down the left side and ripped a shot to the corner to get the Westies within 2-1.
The Westies had just six shots in the opening period, with the first quality attempt coming with 2:45 remaining on a shot by Nick Carfora from the right faceoff circle. By that time, the Westies trailed by a pair as Greenwich’s Alexander Mozian and Sean Pratley scored.
West Haven celebrates a goal against Greenwich, December 20, 2017. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The Cardinals increased the lead to 4-1 with 7:22 left in the middle period on goals by Dylan Madden (46 seconds) and Nicolas Pelletier-Martinelli. The Westies had only four shots in the second period, but capitalized off a turnover.
With the forechecking of Kevin Moriarty forcing a turnover, Kaden Morgillo wristed home a shot from in front, getting the Westies within 4-2 with 4:45 left in the period.
The Westies had a pair of opportunities in the third period to get back in the contest with a pair of two-man advantages in the final 10 minutes.
West Haven could not capitalize as a shot by Robbie Forleo from the slot was turned aside with 8:25 remaining, and a pair of shots by Braziel seconds apart were also denied.
Westies fall to Fairfield
WH drops to 0-2 on season
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(December 23, 2017) - It has been a short time for the Fairfield Warde/Ludlowe hockey team in terms of playing in Division I. The Mustangs are out to show they belong.
Behind five points from senior William Von Brauchitsch and three more from senior Sawyer Coseglia, the Mustangs, in their second year of Division I play, rolled to a 7-3 season-opening victory over West Haven in a Division I contest at the Edward L. Bennett Rink in West Haven Saturday afternoon.
West Haven celebrates a goal against Fairfield Warde/Ludlowe, December 23, 2017. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
“We don’t have lines this year,” Von Brauchitsch said. “That is the first time we have done that. We play with everyone. We get used to playing with everyone on the ice. We clicked out there today.”
For the young Westies, it was a painful contest as they dropped their second straight at home to start the season at 0-2.
“I was really happy with the first five minutes of the game,” West Haven coach Joe Morrrell said. “Their goalie made some nice saves. I thought we should have had a couple. Then, the momentum changed.”
Von Brauchitsch finished the game with two goals and three assists, his biggest goal coming with 7 minutes, 10 seconds remaining in the game to halt West Haven’s momentum and give the Mustangs a four-goal advantage.
Collin Braziel (27) against Fairfield Warde/Ludlowe, December 23, 2017. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
“The seniors took control of the game,” Fairfield Warde/Ludlowe assistant coach Mark Mongillo said in place of head coach Carl Larouche who is out for medical reasons. “They were able to do this for coach Larouche.”
Until Von Brauchitsch scored for the 7-3 lead, West Haven was slowly creeping back from a 6-1 deficit, using a power play goal by Kaden Morgillo with 11.2 seconds left in the middle period and a power play goal by Robbie Forleo 37 seconds into the third to get within 6-3. Both goals came with Mustangs’ player Kevin Quinn serving a major penalty for boarding.
“We know we are going to make mistakes,” Morrell said. “We are young. We have to make better decisions.”
The Mustangs took control of the game early, scoring three times in the opening period for a 3-1 advantage.
After West Haven applied the early pressure in which Fairfield goaltender Will Capalbo denied Kevin Moriarty and the rebound by Collin Braziel just 20 seconds into the contest, a point shot by Forleo seconds later, and a backhander by Moriarty in front with 1:45 gone by, the Mustangs took over the play.
On the power play, Kyle Mazza won the draw back to Von Brauchitsch, who drilled a shot past West Haven goaltender Logan Cole for a 1-0 advantage. West Haven responded 2:48 later when E.J. Pacapelli sent a pass to Forleo, who found the back of the net for the equalizer with 7:14 left in the opening period.
From that point, the Mustangs controlled the rest of the period, taking a 3-1 lead. James Pisciotta cut in and scored from in front with 5:54 to go, and Mazza added a wrap-around goal 4:20 later for a 3-1 Fairfield Warde/Ludlowe lead.
“These kids are working hard in practice,” Mongillo said. “They move the puck. We knew it would be a battle today. The senior class took over.”
Three different players found the back of the net in the second period for the Mustangs as they took a 6-1 lead.
Michael Shavinsky increased the lead to 4-1 with a rebound in front 4:18 into the middle period, Coseglia made it 5-1 with 4:14 to go, and Samuel Shepard increased the margin to five goals with a goal in front with 1:25 to go in the middle period.
Eight different players were in the scoring column for the Mustangs with Kyle Mazza adding two assists, and Shavinsky finishing with a goal and an assist. Capalbo made 30 saves for the Mustangs.Forleo led West Haven with two goals and an assist, while Pacapelli added two assists in the loss. Cole made 26 saves in the loss.
Westies thumped by NFI
WH falls to 0-3 with 9-2 loss
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(December 23, 2017) - The West Haven boys hockey team continues to search for its first victory of the season. Traveling to play their first road contest of the year, the Westies came home without that elusive initial win.
Spotting New Fairfield/Immaculate the first seven goals of the game, the Westies fell 9-2 to drop to 0-3 on the year.
The Westies trailed 3-0 after one period of play, 5-0 after two, and 7-0 before Collin Braziel scored off an assist from Niko Kyle 3 minutes, 21 seconds into the third period.
Trailing 9-1, Kaden Morgillo scored with 48 seconds remaiing for West Haven's final goal of the game.
Westies hold on against Cadets
WH tops St.Joseph 7-5 for first win of year
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(December 30, 2017) - After starting the season with three straight defeats and a sputtering offense, the West Haven hockey team was looking to take things one step at a time. The first step proved to be a big one.
Behind four points from Collin Braziel, and three points apiece from E.J. Pacapelli and Niko Kyle, West Haven hung on for a 7-5 victory over St. Joseph - Trumbull in a Division I contest at the Edward L. Bennett Rink in West Haven Saturday afternoon.
Collin Braziel (27) celebrates a goal against St. Joseph, December 30, 2017. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
“This was a big win for us after starting the season with three losses,” Pacapelli said. “We worked hard and got off to a good start. We need to keep this going forward. I know the coaches will have us prepared.”
Braziel led the Westies with two goals and two assists, while Pacapelli and Kyle each added two more goals and an assist in the first win of the season for the Westies, who improved to 1-3 on the season.
“Our whole game plan was to move our feet and compete,” West Haven coach Joe Morrell said. “We wanted to compete and do the little things. When we have the momentum, we are a different team. We gave the momentum away at the end of the second period.”
The Westies put the game in hand in a span of two minutes of the first period, scoring three times to take a lead they never relinquished. After St. Joseph goaltender Chris Higgins stymied the Westies over the first nine minutes, West Haven’s Pacapelli got the offense going.
Pacapelli took a pass from Braziel, skated the length of the ice, before circling into the slot area and firing a shot by Higgins for a 1-0 lead with five minutes, 27 seconds remaining in the opening period.
Kevin Moriarty (14) puts pressure on against St. Joseph, December 30, 2017. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The Westies increased the margin to 2-0 only 1:26 later when Braziel fired a shot from the slot past Higgins. Just 31 seconds after Braziel scored, it was 3-0 as Kaden Morgillo passed from the corner to Kyle, who took a step and buried a wrist shot with 3:30 left in the opening period.
The Cadets had a golden opportunity to get on the scoreboard at the end of the opening period, but Tommy Flynn’s attempt to jab in a loose puck in front was denied by West Haven goaltender Logan Cole.
“We all came out slow in the first period,” St. Joseph forward Sam Bracchi said. “We talked about coming out stronger in the second period, but we didn’t. We showed a lot of heart in the third period. We needed to play like that all game.”
The Westies wasted no time increasing their lead to four goals as Braziel broke in on Higgins and deked to score on the backhand for a 4-0 advantage 1:19 into the second.
Higgins was sharp for the majority of the middle period, denying Colin Hines from the point, a golden opportunity from Morgillo in front, and a wide open Kevin Moriarty in front as well.
The Westies seemingly put the game away with two late goals in a span of 1:08 as Pacapelli scored his second of the contest off an assist from Braziel, and Moriarty scored with 1:44 left in the middle period.
The Cadets never stopped and scored twice in the final 51 seconds of the middle period. Bracchi, who finished with a goal and three assists, scored off a rebound, and Jack Pisani scored off a turnover with one second to go to get the Cadets within 6-2.
“It is all about concentration,” Morrell said. “We turn the puck over and the momentum changes. We have to complete the period there.”
When Kyle scored off assists from Pacapelli and Robbie Forleo 3:22 into the third, West Haven looked as if it had its first win of the season locked up.
That was not the case as the Cadets gave the Westies all they could handle with 18 third period shots, scoring three times to get within 7-5.
Sean Attanasio, who had a goal and two assists, scored 1:08 after Kyle to put the momentum on the side of the Cadets, before Dareios Linss scored 3:20 later, and Flynn scored with 1:23 to go to put a scare in the Westies. Cole made two big saves down the stretch, sending the Westies to their first win of the year.
Cole made 29 saves in the win for West Haven, while Higgins had 25 saves for the Cadets.
Moriarty leads Westies
WH defeats Simsbury 6-3 behind Moriarty's four points
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(January 3, 2018) - The West Haven hockey team may not have started the season the way coach Joe Morrell would have liked, but they sure are trying to make up for it. Paced by six different players in the point column, West Haven won its second straight contest with a 6-3 decision over Simsbury in a Division I contest at the Edward L. Bennett Rink in West Haven Wednesday evening.
“After the win against St. Joseph, we talked about getting ourselves in a position to get to 3-3,” Morrell said. “We knew Simsbury was going to be tough and we know Guilford is a tough team. But, we have put ourselves in that position to go 3-3 now.”
Niko Kyle (12) scores against Simsbury, January 3, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The Westies, who started the season with three straight losses and allowed 26 goals in their first four games, also seemed to right the ship a bit in the goals against column, holding the Trojans to just three goals, but Simsbury was able to muster 38 shots on goal in the loss.
With plenty of goals scored in the contest, West Haven had five players with multiple points, including Niko Kyle with a pair of goals, Kevin Moriarty with two goals and two assists, and E.J. Pacapelli and Collin Braziel with a goal and an assist apiece.
“We are working harder in practice and doing new drills to try and get going,” Kyle said. “We have been playing together. These are good wins for us. We want to get on a roll and go with that momentum.”
With the game even at two after one period of play, West Haven (2-3) put the game out of reach with three second period goals for a 5-2 lead.
Moriarty got things going in the middle period when he picked a rebound of a Pacapelli shot and fired into an empty net for a 3-2 advantage 4 minutes, 56 seconds into the period. Just 1:14 later, the lead was two goals as Braziel’s initial shot was denied by Simsbury goaltender Jackson Bulger, but Kyle knocked in the rebound.
West Haven goaltender Logan Cole kept the lead at two as he turned aside all 15 shots Simsbury put on goal in the middle period, with several coming from in front.
“At 2-2, he (Cole) kept us in the game,” Morrell said. “He made some big saves when it could have easily been 4-2 them. We are a team of momentum and we were able to hold on to it. We did not give it back to them.”
Logan Cole makes a save against Simsbury, January 3, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The Westies kept the pressure on and scored their second power play goal of the period in the closing seconds when Robbie Forleo’s shot was turned aside, but Kyle knocked in the rebound with 2.5 seconds to go.
“That was a great play by Robbie,” Morrell said. “He saw the ice very well and saw the open guy.”
The game started with plenty of buzz around both nets as the two teams combined for 27 shots in the opening 15 minutes. When all was said and done after one period of play, the teams went to the intermission even at two.
The Trojans opened the scoring 3:16 into the contest while short-handed as Matthew Reese picked up a loose puck in the defensive end, skated the length of the ice, and deked Cole for a 1-0 lead.
That advantage for Simsbury lasted less than three minutes as the Westies struck twice in a span of 23 seconds to take a 2-1 lead.
Pacapelli scored his third goal in two games when he picked up a rebound of a Moriarty shot and beat Bulger to even the game at one. Braziel followed less than 30 seconds later with a snipe from the left circle past Bulger for a 2-1 lead with 8:31 to go in the opening period.
Simsbury (2-3) had 15 shots in the opening period and evened the contest with 3:07 to go on a great second effort by Cole Chapman, who deflected a point shot by Timothy Kratzer on goal. After Cole made the initial save, Chapman put the rebound home to even the game at two.
“We started off strong and put a few in to come back to tie the game,” Chapman said. “We had shots, but he (Cole) played a great game. It’s a tough loss.”
Each team scored in the final period to cap the scoring as Moriarty scored with 2:53 to go and Nicholas Pugmire scored for Simsbury in the final minute.
Cole finished with 35 saves in the win for West Haven, while Bulger finished with 32 saves in the loss for the Trojans.
WH falls to Guilford
Quick start leads to 8-3 win by Indians
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(January 6, 2018) - The West Haven hockey team was right where it wanted to be, in a position to get to the .500 mark. Instead, the Westies fell to 2-4 with an 8-3 loss to Guilford Saturday afternoon at the Edward L. Bennett Rink in West Haven.
E.J. Pacapelli (11) and Kaden Morgillo (7) celebrate a West Haven goal against Guilford, January 6, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Guilford stormed out of the gates, taking a 3-0 lead and never looking back.
Trailing by three goals, the Westies got on the board when Robbie Forleo scored off an assist from E.J. Pacapelli with 4:29 to go in the opening period.
The Westies trailed 4-1 when Pacapelli scored off a assists from Kevin Moriarty and Nick Carfora 1:45 into the second. The Indians scored the next two goals in the period, taking a 6-2 lead before Pacapelli scored off assists from Richie Greene and Forleo with 5:38 left i the second.
Guilford put the game away with two third period goals.
John DeLucia and Jake Watrous each scored three times in the win for Guilford.
Fumiatti Honored
Westies fall to Amity
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(January 10, 2018) - There are not many people who can come close to selling out a high school arena. The late Robert Fumiatti is one that can.
With the West Haven hockey program retiring jersey number eight in honor of Fumiatti, the Edward L. Bennett Rink was a packed house to join the celebration between two teams Fumiatti had a history in coaching.
Members of the Fumiatti family look at the retired jersey of the late Robert Fumiatti, January 10, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
After the ceremony, Amity topped the Westies 3-1.
Read about the ceremony and the game at GameTimeCT here
Easties top WH in OT
Westies suffer sixth loss of season
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(January 13, 2018) - The West Haven boys hockey team suffered its sixth loss of the season with a 2-1 overtime loss against East Haven Co-Op Saturday afternoon. With the loss, West Haven fell to 2-6 on the season.
The Westies put 36 shots on goal, but only one found its way past east Haven goaltender Matt Twarowski. The pressure on goal also helped lead to the winner for East Haven.
Collin Braziel (27) looks to convert against East Haven Co-Op, January 13, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Following a scramble in front, East Haven went the other way with the puck and finished the game when Zack Paquin beat West Haven goaltender Logan Cole for the winner at the 1:04 mark of overtime.
Paquin's goal marked the end of a West Haven comeback which saw E.J. Pacapelli knot the game off assists from Niko Kyle and Colin Braziel at the 7:41 mark of the third period.
Cole finished with 22 saves in the loss for the Westies.
Harvey ties West Haven
Late goal lifts NY school to 2-2 tie
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(January 15, 2018) - The West Haven boys hockey team has had its share of struggles this season. Putting games away has been one of them.
Failing to capitalize on its scoring opportunities, the Westies had to settle for a 2-2 tie against the Harvey School (New York) Monday afternoon at the Edward L. Bennett Rink in West Haven. With the tie, West Haven saw its record move to 2-6-1 on the year.
“We have not capitalized in three games,” West Haven coach Joe Morrell said. “We are getting chances, but are not scoring. We have only given up two, two, and two goals, not including an empty net goal, in the last three games and we have no wins out of that.”
West Haven looked as if it was going to snap the skid, holding a 2-1 lead in the final two minutes. That lead never held up as Luke Baumgartner scored off a scramble in front with 1 minute, 23 seconds to go in the third period to tie the game for the Cavaliers.
West Haven puts the pressure on against the Harvey School, January 13, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
“It is hugely disappointing,” Morrell said. “The game should have been over a lot earlier than that. We just didn’t capitalize.”
West Haven had its share of opportunities to put the game away before the equalizer, but could not get the insurance goal it needed.
Robbie Forleo was stopped coming down the left wing with 9:19 remaining, Richie Greene had his point shot denied 15 seconds later, and E.J. Pacapelli could not tuck the puck home with 8:12 to go.
Still on the man advantage, the Westies could not convert when Niko Kyle was stopped from the point with 6:58 to go, and at even strength from the wing with 3:01 remaining.
The Cavaliers took a 1-0 lead with 50 seconds left in the opening period when Cian Keohane scored off an assist from James Mettler.
West Haven took a 2-1 lead with two goals in the middle period. Freshman Michael Kelly scored his first goal in front off assists from Kaden Morgillo and Sean Dupre with 7:21 to go in the period, and Kyle scored off assists from Greene and Forleo with 47 seconds left in the middle period for a 2-1 advantage.
“We have to keep working,” Morrell said. “The longer it goes, the tighter the hands get.”
Logan Cole made 26 saves in the tie for West Haven. The Westies held a 34-28 shot advantage in the game.
Hamden tops West Haven
Green Dragons scored final four goals in 4-1 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(January 24, 2018) - Coming off a thorough loss against Fairfield Prep, the West Haven boys hockey team had time to prepare for Hamden. With a week off, the Westies knew they had to come out fast.
While the Westies got off to a quick start on a goal by Collin Braziel, they could not hold on in a 4-1 loss to Hamden at the Edward L. Bennett Rink in West Haven Wednesday evening.
Collin Braziel (27) scores against Hamden, January 24, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Behind three goals by Mason Boyhen, and one goal and two assists from Tyler Routh, Hamden scored the last four goals of the game to post the victory.
West Haven took a 1-0 lead just 4 minutes, 49 seconds into the game when Collin Braziel scored off assists from Kevin Moriarty and Robbie Forleo.
That would be all the scoring on the night for the Westies as Hamden goaltender Steven Turner blanked the Westies with 25 saves the rest of the way.
Michael Kelly (94) against Hamden, January 24, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Boyhen evened the game 2:24 into the second, then gave Hamden the lead 3:36 later. Tyler Routh increased the lead to 3-1 with 4:04 left in the middle period, before Boyhen scored off an assist from Roth 8:14 into the third.
Logan Cole made 30 saves in the loss for West Haven.
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