The Amity-North Haven-Cheshire (A-NH-C) girls’ ice hockey team kicked off a new season by playing a pair of games last week. The Blades split the two contests to get out to a 1-1 start this year. John Peschell returns for his fourth season as the team’s head coach.

On Dec. 9, the Blades opened their campaign by taking a 3-1 home loss to Greenwich at Lou Astorino Ice Arena in Hamden. Greenwich scored two goals during the first period to take a 2-0 lead. In the second period, Haley Cable scored a goal on assists from Caroline Cadelina and Tess Csjeka to cut it to 2-1. Greenwich came back with an insurance goal during the third period and went on to get the 3-1 win.

Then on Dec. 14, the Blades earned their first victory of the season with a 6-2 road win against Hand-Coginchaug-Valley Regional-Old Lyme at Northford Ice Pavilion. A-NH-C broke open a scoreless game by netting five goals during the second period. North Haven junior Kelsey McCarthy scored the fifth goal of the frame on assists from Nadia DiNatale and Olivea Kosch. Cable and Cadelina both scored two goals in the game, while DiNatale also scored a goal. Cjeska and Ilana Leyner each had an assist. Goalkeeper Jake Krukar made 16 saves to get the win in net for the Blades.

Last year, A-NH-C claimed its second Southern Connecticut Conference title in program history by posting a 4-3 win over West Haven-Sacred Heart Academy in the final of the SCC South Division Tournament. The Blades rebounded from an 0-7 start to win 12 of their last 17 games and finish at 12-11-1 overall, while also earning a berth into the State Tournament.

—Chris Piccirillo