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Hot and heavy action in front of the Hornets’ goal.
The Branford boys’ hockey team ended their season on Friday losing to arch rival East Haven by a 3 – 0 score at the Edward Bennett Rink t West Haven High School in the quarter finals of the CIAC Division II tournament.
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Goalie Justin Edwards has his mask knocked off on close action.
East Haven peppered Branford goalie Justin Edwards with 45 shots on goal and the junior goalie stopped all but three.
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Coaches James DiNapoli and Adolf Brink come off the ice after the first period.
The Yellow Jackets kept a lot of pressure on the Hornets starting early, which was part of their game plan. “Give credit to Edwards,” said East Haven coach Lou Pain, “he was tough.”
East Haven’s Joe Aloi scored the first goal at 10:23 of the first period on assists from Zach Paquin and Nick Latella to give the Yellow Jackets a 1 – 0 lead after one.
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Eastie goalie Matt Twarowski falls on the puck after a shot by Dante Ghiroli.
Branford put pressure on sophomore goalie Matt Twarowski but he didn’t break stopping all ten shots. Edwards stopped 15 for the Hornets.
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At one point Zack Paquin #10 of East Haven slides one under the glove of Justin Edwards.
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Scott Klouda skates between #3 Matt Latella and #28 Joe D’Albero.
The closest Branford came during the first period was when Scott Klouda had two tries on one play but Twarowski made both saves including a diving stop after a rebound off the first shot.
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Zack Withington gets ready to fire a shot past East Haven John Monaco.
In addition to Klouda junior Zack Withington played well for Branford putting pressure on Twarowski.
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Here Michael Annunziata tries to clear the puck for Branford.
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And here Dalton Childs gets ready to take on East Haven’s Mike Dogola heading toward him.
The Easties scored at 6:37 of the second period on a goal by Nick Latella on assists from Joe Aloi and Matt Latella to go up 2 – 0, but it was their third goal in the final period on an unassisted goal by Paquin that iced the game for East Haven.
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The Branford crowd lends support.
Branford finished the season with a 9 – 12‑1 record. The Easties went to 9 – 9‑4 with the win.
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