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Since the Southern Connecticut Conference had only 15 boys' hockey teams the last two seasons, commissioner Al Carbone has been looking for another team to make it an even 16.
Carbone added that team on Thursday when North Branford agreed to join boys' hockey in the SCC.
"Ever since we lost Derby a couple years ago to the NVL we've been looking for a replacement and North Branford was one of the teams we reached out to," Carbone said. "We've had ongoing discussions for a couple years now at the coach's level about associate membership for hockey and the timing is right to make the addition a perfect fit.
"Another reason this makes sense is North Branford already plays a number of our SCC teams in the regular season plus five of our SCC teams call the same rink home as North Branford (Northford Ice Pavilion)."
From a numbers angle, there is a big reason the addition of North Branford to the SCC makes a right fit. On Wednesday, the CIAC boys' hockey committee agreed to allow the Amity to move from Division I to II for next season and Lyman Hall moves from Division II to III.
"With Amity moving to Division II and Lyman Hall to Division III, the addition of North Branford gives us eight Division II/III teams and eight Division I teams," Carbone said. "This makes sense for everyone. North Branford will also be eligible for our SCC Division II tournament next season as well."
Carbone also added North Branford's move to the SCC is only for boys' hockey at this time. Although nothing is planned now, Carbone did not rule out future discussions to add other sports as well.

Josh McCormick ended up with a goal and an assist to lead Lyman Hall to a 5-1 win over Sheehan at the Whalers Hockey Fest at Rentschler Field.

In the second period, Kaden Batzinger gave Lyman Hall a 2-0 lead at 9:46 and Josh McCormick made it 3-0 at 11:18. The Titans picked up their intensity and a long-range goal cut the lead to 3-1. Nick Capozzi's blazing slap shot from the left point flew inside the left post to make it a two-goal game at the second intermission.

While Amity and St.Joseph will deal with warm conditions in their outdoor boys' hockey game at the Whalers Hockey Fest at Rentschler Field today at 4 p.m., Lyman Hall and Sheehan will likely have to deal with wind gusts expected to be at 40-45 miles per hour. Lyman Hall-Sheehan begins at 7:30 p.m.
"The wind is going to be a bit of a factor tonight," Lyman Hall coach Tim Belcher said. "Winds could gust up to 40 mph this evening. I think that could be a bit of a problem.
"However, both teams have to deal with it so there should be no distinct advantage either way. As far as the temperature, I think the warmer the better. However, once the sun goes down, it is going to be cold."

The two-week Whalers Hockey Fest event at Rentschler Field in East Hartford begins Thursday. On Monday in boys' hockey, Amity faces St. Joseph at 4 p.m. and Lyman Hall plays Sheehan at 7:30 p.m.
Next Wednesday (Feb. 16) , Guilford boys play St. Bernard/Bacon/NFA at 6 p.m.

Check out the entire schedule at this link - http://bit.ly/gnKGx7