AVON, Conn. — Avon Old Farms continues to steamroll the early part of its season and captured its own Christmas Classic tournament championship — the school's first since 2016 — after taking down Loomis Chaffee, 4-2.
The first period started off with several big saves by Loomis Chaffee goaltender Andrew Heinze (North Andover, Mass.). Heinze kept his team close early, as Loomis Chaffee was drastically outshot by Avon Old Farms. At the other end of the ice, the Pelicans struggled to gain offensive momentum in the first period, as Avon Old Farms goalie Stephen Peck swallowed every shot thrown at him.
Northeastern commit Joe Connor (Amherst, N.H.) drove to the net halfway through the first period and nearly scored an impressive goal for Avon that the officials ultimately waved off. A pivotal fourth line shift minutes later pinned Loomis Chaffee in its own zone, allowing for a Winged Beaver line change. Charlie Gollob hit the ice seconds later and found the back of the net after a blocked shot found its way to the Avon forward in the offensive zone. That gave the Winged Beavers a 1-0 lead with five minutes left in the first period.
As time expired in the first, Gollob took a roughing penalty, and the Pelicans were awarded a crucial power play to start the second. Loomis Chaffee forward Cory Alissi (West Hartford, Conn.) capitalized on the man advantage, tying the score, 1-1.
Momentum shifted back and forth in the second frame with an edge to Avon Old Farms. Heinze made several important second-period saves to keep his Pelicans level in the contest. Will Reardon took a high-sticking penalty in the offensive zone and it proved to be costly for the Pelicans shortly thereafter.
Nick Capasso (Northford, Conn.) rushed down the right wing on the power play and turned to his backhand, finding space between Heinze and the post, giving Avon a 2-1 lead with eight minutes left in the second period. Heinze bounced back right, stopping two great scoring chances by both Michael Munroe (Hanover, Mass.) and Lefty Markonidis (Hudson, Mass.), keeping it a one-goal game.
Early in the third period, Charles Blanchard (West Hartford, Conn.) rushed down the right wing to the net, and Markonidis buried Avon’s third goal on the doorstep for a 3-1 lead. Both teams had scoring chances and power-play opportunities in the minutes after, but couldn’t find the back of the net.
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With just under three minutes remaining, Joe Odyniec (Ridgefield, Conn.) took a slashing penalty and Loomis looked to capitalize on the man advantage.
Loomis Chaffee pulled Heinze and took its chances with a late 6-on-4 power play. Alissi found the back of the net again, pulling within a goal with 43 seconds remaining. Avon regrouped and Alex Pelletier dashed any chances of a comeback with an empty net goal.
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Peck was named the player of the game and Connor was chosen as Avon Christmas Classic’s most valuable player. Avon Old Farms is now 9-0 to start its season.
Here are the standouts from Saturday's game.
Andrew Heinze
Loomis-Chaffee, 3/8/04, GÂ
Without Heinze in net, this would have been a more lopsided result. The Pelicans goaltender kept his team in the game early, stopping solo rushes by Capasso, Munroe, and Connor.
Stephen Peck
Avon Old Farms, 1/18/05, G
With Heinze’s 38-save performance, one might be quick to forget about Peck’s strong play between the pipes. The Avon goaltender had 29 saves. Peck controlled rebounds and swallowed up pucks that came his way.
Eli Velepec
Loomis Chaffee, 5/11/05, FWD
The Pelicans forward was an important part of the game for Loomis, drawing two penalties in the third period. His effort and play at both ends of the ice were noticeable and provided momentum. The second penalty that Velepec drew allowed Loomis Chaffee to pull within a goal of the Winged Beavers.
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Oaken Son
Loomis Chaffee, 3/16/04, D
The Pelicans defenseman was one of the reasons Loomis Chaffee stayed within striking distance Saturday. Son put on a strong defensive performance, blocking several shots and playing strong defensively in his own end, particularly in the first period when Avon Old Farm applied lots of pressure.
Joe Connor
Avon Old Farms, 3/11/05, FWD
Connor, the tournament MVP, provided another strong performance Saturday at both ends of the ice. He almost tallied a goal that was waved off as a result of a first-period net drive. Connor also had a primary assist on Gollob’s first-period strike.
Michael Munroe
Avon Old Farms, 7/6/07, FWD
Munroe is proving to be an important addition to Avon’s roster, showing great chemistry with his new teammates after transferring from Hanover High School in Massachusetts. Late in the second period, Munroe was part of several offensive opportunities and almost set up a Markonidis goal.
Lefty Markonidis
Avon Old Farms, 4/29/05, FWD
Markonidis shined all night for Avon, skating and handling the puck with precision at both ends. He scored the pivotal third goal for Avon early in the third period. Markonidis was one of the players that turned the tide in Avon’s favor throughout the Christmas Classic.
Cory Alissi
Loomis Chaffee, 4/30/05, FWD
It wasn't easy to score on Peck, but Alissi managed to do it twice Saturday. Without Alissi’s goals, the Pelicans would have been in deep trouble.
