All your favorite teams and sources in one place

Build your feed

Your Teams.
All Sources.

Build your feed

© 2024 BVM Sports. Best Version Media, LLC.

No results found.
North Haven hockey captures first ever title
(Credit: North Haven Athletics/MGN)

North Haven hockey captures first ever title

NORTH HAVEN, Conn. (BVM) — North Haven hockey won the programs first ever SCC/SWC Division II hockey title after defeating Cheshire 3-0 in the tournament final. The third ranked team ended the season with an overall record of 8-2, with an 8-1 conference record as North Haven racked up a total of 27 goals, while only conceding 16. 

North Haven started its bracket with a bye round to then play Watertown-Pomperaug in the Quarterfinals, scoring two goals in the first and second periods to comfortably win 4-0. 

The team then travelled to Wallingford to play a tough semifinal against second ranked Sheehan, a team they lost 4-1 to previously during regular season play. Goals from Jake Hines, Mason Sullivan, and Tommy Guidone, as well as an inspiring performance from goalie Andrew Sacco ensured a 3-2 victory over the Titans. 

North Haven now had the challenge of facing Cheshire. The Rams were coming into the tournament final with a five-game win streak, as well as defeating top-seed Lyman Hall, 4-3 in the semifinals

The Rams were making their first appearance in the finals since 2016, while North Haven looked for its first ever championship. The stage was set at West Haven’s Bennett Rink.

The Rams executed a well-planned defensive approach against North Haven, with the two teams stalemating 0-0 after the first period. 

Senior Aaron Racino and junior Jake Hines played massive roles in the game with both men having contributions to all three goals. 

The two combined after Hines found Racino to put North Haven up 1-0 late in the second period. 33-seconds later, junior Justin Pniewski was found by Hines to put North Haven 2-0 at the end of the second period, with Racino also assisting on the goal. This was Pniewski’s first ever North Haven goal.

Hines then placed the cherry on top after being assisted by Racino to score with less than 10 minutes to play in the third period. 

Andrew Sacco played his part for the team with his fourth and most important shutout of the season making 20 saves. His impressive tournament earned Sacco the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament. 

The accolades weren’t finished for Sacco, with the senior captain being named in the First Team Division II All SCC and the First Team Division II All State team. 

Winning the championship capped off what was a difficult season for North Haven, battling COVID-19 and the restrictions around it showed the resilience and dedication the team has.

With seven seniors graduating, the team will now look to the 2021-22 season to regroup and rebuild their team to reclaim the championship for themselves, their teammates, and their school.