Local Roundup: Hartford boys and girls hockey teams advance to state title games
Published: 03-03-2024 9:09 PM |
Editor’s note: To have your team’s results included in the Local Roundup, visit https://www.vnews.com/submit-a-score.
Hartford 4, Middlebury 1
Key players: Hartford — Braelyn Park, Zoe Zanleoni, Nella Bowen; Middlebury — Ruby Hubbell
Highlights: The Hurricanes were up 1-0 after the first period, 2-0 after the second period and scored again to go up 3-0 at 9:40 in the third. Middlebury capitalized on one of the only defensive errors for a response with 9:06 remaining, but the Canes didn’t let up. Zanleoni’s breakaway with 1:55 remaining closed the door. Hartford meets Missisquoi in Tuesday’s VPA Division II championship game at UVM’s Gutterson Field House.
Coach’s quote: “Really proud of our play and our ability to keep our cool in some really rough seas. Seven penalties for each squad, and I was just trying to keep my girls healthy for next week.” — Hartford’s Kylie Young
Records: Hartford 15-6-1; Middlebury 10-12-0
Hartford 7, Lyndon 2
Key players: Hartford — Logan Caffrey (2 goals, 2 assists), Cavan Benjamin (2 goals), Tighe Hrabchak (goal, assist), Ezra Mock (goal, assist), Nate Clark (goal, assist), Jaden Poirier (assist), Nick Daniels (assist), Nunu Meyer (20 saves)
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Highlights: Hartford — After the second-seeded Vikings scored the game’s first goal five minutes into play, third-ranked Hartford reeled off the next five and rolled to a VPA Division II semifinal victory. The Hurricanes take on Colchester in Tuesday’s state championship game at UVM’s Gutterson Field House.
Coach’s quote: “We had a short bench due to multiple factors. It’s tough to pinpoint what players stood out. As a team, we were perfectly imperfect. If I had to pick one, Tighe Hrabchak would be my choice. He’s playing the best hockey of his career with an impressive confidence. He scored the game’s first goal, and we seemed to settle in and play with structure, confidence and pure joy for the game.” — Hartford’s Todd Bebeau
Records: Hartford 12-7-3; Lyndon 16-3-3
Hanover 5, Bishop Guertin 2
Key players: Hanover — Jo Jo Drent (20 saves), Wyatt Seelig and Ryder Wilson (1 goal, 1 assist each), Andrew Rudd and Jack Wilkinson (1 goal each)
Highlights: Seelig scored first shift of game, Rudd followed up with a goal four minutes later and Wilkinson scored a shorthanded goal late in first to give Bears 3-1 lead after one. Goals by Ronan Przydzielski and penalty play marker by Ryder Wilson upped the lead to 5-1. The win sends the Bears to Wednesday’s NHIAA Division I semifinals against No. 1 Windham at Manchester’s JFK Coliseum.
Coach’s quote: “Tremendous effort by our group. This was a tough, physical playoff game in BG’s barn, and we didn’t blink. We played strong playoff hockey and received gutsy, gritty effort from everybody.” — Hanover’s Dick Dodds
Records: Hanover 15-7-0; Bishop Guertin 12-6-1
Dover 2, Lebanon-Stevens-Mascoma 1
Key players: Lebanon-Stevens-Mascoma — Evan George (goaltender), Mason Ballard (goal)
Highlights: Ballard scored from the neutral zone with a blistering shot top shelf. The Raiders never took a penalty in the game and Dover took just one. George kept LSM in the contest, but the Raiders’ offense couldn’t provide enough support.
Coach’s quote: “There is a reason Dover is the defending champs. They played a great game. As a program, we started the season with a clean slate, and it took till games 21 and 22 for us to lose back-to-back. The foundation is set for future success. ” — Lebanon-Stevens-Mascoma’s Dean Cashman
Records: Dover 11-5-3; Lebanon-Stevens-Mascoma 12-7-0
Hanover 51, Bow 34
Key players: Hanover — Christian Blix (18 points), Roy Lucas (10 points), Jaysen Oriol (9 points); Bow — Brendan O’Keefe (23 points)
Highlights: Hanover led 24-11 at halftime and rolled to an NHIAA Division II quarterfinal victory. The No. 2 Bears meet No. 3 Pembroke in Tuesday’s semifinals at Oyster River High in Durham.
Coach’s quote: “We played really tough in terms of our rebounding and physicality against a team who usually dominates others in that category. Very proud of our effort and excited to move on to the next round of the playoffs.” — Hanover’s Ben Davis
Records: Hanover 18-1; Bow 12-7
Laconia 45, Hanover 27
Key players: Laconia — Macy Swormstedt; Hanover — Sydney McLaughlin, Allie McBride, Claire Starosta
Highlights: The first two quarters were low-scoring with Laconia leading 22-14 at halftime. Hanover’s scoring struggles continued as it trailed by 14 after three quarters. Despite a valiant effort, the Bears were unable to close the gap and were eliminated in the NHIAA D-II quarterfinals.
Coach’s quote: “I’m proud of and want to thank our seniors for what they’ve given to the program. Special congrats to Sydney, who scored her 1,000th point. She’s given so much and meant so much to the program, and I know she’d trade all 1,000 points for a championship.” — Hanover’s Dan O’Rourke
Records: Laconia 17-3; Hanover 14-6
Hazen 59, Oxbow 32
Key players: Hazen — Braylee Phelps; Oxbow — Caitlyn Davison
Highlights: Hazen played very well in a VPA Division III quarterfinal.
Coach’s quote: “I really enjoyed coaching this group of young athletes. The team fell short of meeting its final goal of the season, but the players are ready to work hard to get where they want to be.” — Oxbow’s Barry Emerson
Records: Hazen 18-1; Oxbow 11-11