The North Branford ice hockey team started the season red hot by winning its first three games before losing to Fairfield Warde/Ludlowe 4-3 in overtime at Northford Ice Pavilion on Jan. 3.

Scoring was an issue at times for last year’s team, yet it’s been a strength thus far as the T-Birds have scored at least three goals in every game this season.

“We did struggle last year with the offensive portion of the game and scoring seven in the first game was a good sign,” Head Coach Ralph Shaw said. “We’re doing well. They have the potential. We have good depth and good players so I think with the right motivation and, if we come together as team, we can be very solid.”

North Branford’s offense has been led by the first line of senior captain center Alec Martone and sophomore wings Nico Giatrelis and Brian McKee. The first line produced three of North Branford’s four goals in its 4-1 win at Milford on Dec. 20 and all three goals in both the Thunderbirds’ 3-1 road win over New Milford on Dec. 27, plus their loss to Fairfield Warde/Ludlowe. McKee scored six goals in those three games, netting a hat trick against Fairfield, while Martone found the back of the net on three separate occasions.

“He played a great game. He played solid on both ends of the ice and had good patience with the puck,” Shaw said of McKee’s hat trick. “That line has been solid for us and I wish we brought home the ‘W’ for him because it was a solid game for him. He and Martone work well together and have produced for us in every game and we hope it will continue.”

The big overhaul for the Thunderbirds this season has been on the defensive end as the top pairing of Nick Johnson and Brendan Appi graduated. Juniors Matt Chamberlain and Tanner Opie, along with senior Chris Russo and freshman Brendan Dupuis, have made it an easy transition for Shaw.

“That was a shot in the arm [the loss of Appi and Johnson] so we needed to secure our defense. We were fortunate Chris Russo came back from Juniors as a defenseman so that gave us maturity for a bit,” Shaw said. “Dupuis has stepped up and really been a pleasant surprise. You never know with the transition from youth to high school, but he’s done a remarkable job through four games getting a regular shift.”

Sophomore Will McEwen has returned between the pipes, along with senior backup Will Burke. The tandem was solid last year for the T-Birds and Shaw excepts nothing different out of the duo, both of whom have notched victories in the early stages of the current campaign.

Coach Shaw said he plans to run three lines out on the ice this season and feels all three have the potential to consistently light the lamp. The second line contains juniors Dominic Raccio, Adam Burkle, and Mike Pantera, who combined to score five of the seven goals in North Branford’s win to open the season—a 7-3 victory at Newington-Berlin-Manchester. The third line, a gritty bunch, consists of seniors Jordan Glenn and Cam Reshotnik teaming with sophomore Scott Clinton.

“We have a good nucleus for a team. We have good returning players and guys that really matured through the offseason,” Shaw said. “We’re hungry and chomping at the bit.”