Harwood girls’ hockey
Harwood 3, Stowe 4
In their first scrimmage of the year, Harwood took on the Stowe Raiders at the Ice Center of Washington West in what would be a back-and-forth game of hockey.
The December 7 game had Stowe coming out scoring first within the first few minutes in front of a crowded crease and shot in off a rebound. The score would remain 1-0 until the third period. Leading up until then, Harwood went on a power-play frenzy, as Stowe made fast friends with the penalty box attendant.
The third period was a hot one for quick shots from the points and fast breakaways to split defenders. At 11:17 in the third, Stowe spun Harwood’s defenders around to add to the lead 2-0.
Harwood had a two-man advantage; in that time they were able to find the back of the net just to have a goal called back as the referee deemed the puck was not in play.
Fueled from the strain, Harwood was able to score seconds later, with another one minute after that on a breakaway backhander that hit the top shelf tying the game up 2-2.
Stowe wasn’t done with the game yet. With 2:19 left in the game they made quick work of getting the puck up ice and scoring two goals, gaining the lead back at 4-2.
Harwood was able to get one more goal before the buzzer, ending it 4-3 in the Raiders’ favor.
“I was pleased with the game against Stowe as we only had three practices before the scrimmage and this is our first year together. I thought the team played better and better as the game went along,” said head coach Mike Vasseur.
Harwood 0, Woodstock 3
After the close call with Stowe, girls’ hockey was on the road Saturday, December 1, to play against Woodstock.
Head coach Vasseur commented that the team will be working on positioning and playing as a team to prepare for their next game, which took place December 5, away against Essex, as The Valley Reporter went to press.
“I am really impressed on how the team gets along considering the short time together,” said Vasseur.
Girls’ Basketball
Girls’ basketball traveled away for their first scrimmage of the year against Hazen. Head coach for the team, Tom Young, said the match went well for Highlanders. “I was psyched to mix up the lineup throughout each quarter. It gave me a chance to see how different players played with each other. We have had a great start to the season and the team is really starting to gel together,” said Young.
Last season Hazen made it to the semifinals and the rival team is expected to be back again this year. As this match was a scrimmage, the score was not kept.
“The team showed improvement with their transition game and running their offense. Things we will continue to work on are our man-to-man defense principles, fitness and building team chemistry on and off the floor,” said Young.
Boys’ hockey
Boys’ ice hockey was on the road for their first scrimmage on Saturday, December 1, against Hartford.
Head coach Shaun Morse said that he thought his team played well together after only having three practices on the ice this season.
“We had good goaltending and good team defense. The offense passed the puck very well in the first half. We got out to a 4-0 lead and Hartford pushed back in the second keeping us scoreless. I'd like to see us maintain the level of play from the first half throughout the whole game, but I was very happy with the performance of the entire team,” said Morse.
Boys’ hockey will play again on Friday, December 7, against Stowe at 4 p.m. at the Ice Center of Washington West in Waterbury.
