RSS
NOWAK ON HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY-DIVISION I POWER SURGE
We're approaching the halfway point of the high school hockey season and right now it's obvious several teams are flexing their muscles in Division I.
After a sluggish start last season, coach Matt Sather has defending Division I champion Fairfield Prep back in form with the team concept back in place. The Jesuits have a history of being strong front to back and this season is no exception. Darric White at forward, Will Lomas at defense and Spencer Sodokoff in goal are just a few of the talented stars for the Jesuits this season as they will be a force in the postseason.
Recently, since I've been writing a lot about Marty Roos of Milford going for his 500th career win at Notre Dame-Fairfield, I've been getting emails from a few folks bashing the Catholic schools for being dominant strictly because they are able to gather talent from towns and cities throughout the state and beyond.
The bottom line is the private schools are what they are and most public school coaches have moved on and accepted the fact a state title will always have to go through at least one private school or two.
But for those hockey enthusiasts who yearn for the public schools to be on top, I give you Hamden High. Hamden is coming off an impressive 4-3 win over Notre Dame-Fairfield and at 6-2 is rolling toward another typical solid run in the post season. Led by goalie Anthony Avitable and a host of spunky, scrappy high-flying forwards and defensemen, the Green Dragons will be a tough out in the post season.
Another team to watch is a team that has moved from Division II to Division I - Trinity Catholic.
Usual suspects to be reckoned with include Notre Dame-Fairfield, Notre Dame-West Haven and a surging Greenwich team. Other northern teams to watch are Glastonbury, Tri-Town and Simsbury.
East Haven is an enigma this season - it has a solid goalie with John Palmieri but the loss of 10 players to graduation has taken its toll. Its on-ice defense has been struggling and scoring hasn't been as prolific as in the past few years. Lou Pane should get the Yellowjackets back on track by February.
After a sluggish start last season, coach Matt Sather has defending Division I champion Fairfield Prep back in form with the team concept back in place. The Jesuits have a history of being strong front to back and this season is no exception. Darric White at forward, Will Lomas at defense and Spencer Sodokoff in goal are just a few of the talented stars for the Jesuits this season as they will be a force in the postseason.
Recently, since I've been writing a lot about Marty Roos of Milford going for his 500th career win at Notre Dame-Fairfield, I've been getting emails from a few folks bashing the Catholic schools for being dominant strictly because they are able to gather talent from towns and cities throughout the state and beyond.
The bottom line is the private schools are what they are and most public school coaches have moved on and accepted the fact a state title will always have to go through at least one private school or two.
But for those hockey enthusiasts who yearn for the public schools to be on top, I give you Hamden High. Hamden is coming off an impressive 4-3 win over Notre Dame-Fairfield and at 6-2 is rolling toward another typical solid run in the post season. Led by goalie Anthony Avitable and a host of spunky, scrappy high-flying forwards and defensemen, the Green Dragons will be a tough out in the post season.
Another team to watch is a team that has moved from Division II to Division I - Trinity Catholic.
Usual suspects to be reckoned with include Notre Dame-Fairfield, Notre Dame-West Haven and a surging Greenwich team. Other northern teams to watch are Glastonbury, Tri-Town and Simsbury.
East Haven is an enigma this season - it has a solid goalie with John Palmieri but the loss of 10 players to graduation has taken its toll. Its on-ice defense has been struggling and scoring hasn't been as prolific as in the past few years. Lou Pane should get the Yellowjackets back on track by February.
posted by Joe Morelli at
2:38 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home