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12/20/2022 02:15 PMThe T-Birds boys’ hockey squad returned to the ice on Dec. 14., looking to extend their winning trend from last season.
Led by senior captain Aidan Geist and junior captains Nicky Ryszczyk and Colin Augur, North Branford brought home a victory against SGWL (Suffield, Granby, Windsor Locks).
Junior Jake Pederson opened the scoring in the first period of play with a quick redirect from a feed from junior Michael Matteo. Matteo tallied the T-Birds’ second goal with assists from junior Lucas Vollono and Pederson.
Late in the first, a loose puck in the goal crease resulted in another score, making it 3-0. Pederson was credited with this one, his second of the night.
North Branford opened the second period on a Power Play that saw Augur tip in a nice backhander from junior C.J. Sherwood to make it a 4-0 lead.
Midway through the second, junior Connor Stoner tallied with a one-timer from the slot from a pass from freshman T.J. Connelly, his first high school career point.
Just 8 seconds later, off the ensuing face-off, Jack Maley netted the sixth and final goal for the Thunderbirds with a toe drag snapshot off a feed from freshman Chico Jara, for his first high school career point. Geist recorded 30 saves in this 6-1 victory.
The Thunderbirds then traveled to the Shelton Twin Rinks to take on the highly touted and talented Trumbull Eagles on Dec. 17.
Midway through the first period, freshman T.J. Connelly found junior Jack Maley, who skated through the neutral zone, deep into the face-off circle and snapped a laser over the goaltender’s right shoulder.
Trumbull knotted things up on a 5 on 3 Power Play. With two T-Birds in the penalty box, Trumbull managed to find a way past the stingy senior goaltender Aidan Geist, who had 35 saves before the game expired.
Tied at 1, the T-Birds added a Power play goal from junior C.J. Sherwood with a blast from the point, assists to Jake Pedersen and Colin Augur.
Midway through the third, the Thunderbirds added an insurance goal from Augur, who redirected a shot from Connor Stoner.
With six minutes to play, the T-Birds locked down the Eagles with strong defensive play and bench management, sealing this victory at 3-1.
North Branford improves to 2-0 and will return with their home opener on Monday, Dec. 26 at 7:45 against Glastonbury at the NIP.