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Thunderbirds Take Two Road Losses on the Ice

The Thunderbirds boys’ hockey team took on the Sheehan Titans at home on Jan. 11. North Branford took a tough 10-1 loss in the game.

This one was all Titans, as they took a 3-1 lead after the first period. Sheehan opened the scoring just 26 seconds into the game and never looked back. The lone score for North Branford came from Lucas Vollono with 3:20 remaining in the first, with assists being credited to Michael Matteo and Brady Martinik.

After two periods, it was 8-1 Titans, and they tacked on two more in the third.

Junior goaltender Austin Fruin had 12 saves in net for North Branford, as he stepped in for an injured senior captain Aidan Geist mid-way through the game.

Hoping to bounce back, the Thunderbirds loaded up for a road trip on Jan. 14, to face-off against the Bobcats of South Windsor.

The T-Birds opened the scoring with a breakaway goal from CJ Sherwood, who took a stretch pass from TJ Connelly, beating the Bobcat goalie with a slick move to his backhand. The secondary assist went to junior center Jack Maley.

After the first period, it was 1-0, favoring the T-Birds, but the Bobcats responded with two of their own goals to close the second period out at 2-1.

The third period was bery competitive and defense-oriented. Still down 2-1 with 1:57 to go in the game, the Birds called a timeout to strategize and to give players a brief rest.

Despite several attempts to tie this one up, the puck just would not bounce the T-Birds’ way, ultimately resulting in a 2-1 victory for the Bobcats.

Aiden Geist recorded 43 saves in goal in this exciting matchup.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, Feb. 4, as the Thunderbirds host “Hockey Fights Cancer.” This game will be a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Puck drops at 2:30 p.m. at the Northford Ice Pavilion (NIP).