In what will be one of its biggest games of the year, New Canaan delivered its best performance of the season thus far.
It had been a somewhat sluggish start to the winter for Rich Bulan’s Rams. But in a key rivalry matchup — and a rematch of last year’s CHSGHA state title game — against Darien, NC left no doubt. The Rams’ 4-1 win means they jump the Wave for the top spot in our rankings.
Elsewhere, it was mostly chalk in Connecticut girls’ hockey before the Christmas break. Our third, fourth and fifth-ranked teams all remain the same — but only for now.
Here’s our updated rankings ahead of the new year.
1. New Canaan (4-0-1)
Previous rank: 2
Conference: FCIAC
Coach: Rich Bulan
Next: vs. Suffield Co-op, Dec. 31, 11 a.m.
So much for Bulan’s group looking a bit shaky to start the season. After escaping Greenwich and Trumbull and tying with the Wilton Co-op (NC couldn’t crack freshman goalie Tess Ward, who made 38 saves) in the first four games, New Canaan only went and delivered a statement 4-1 victory at previously top-ranked Darien before the Christmas break. Freshman Lina Kivikko (two goals, including the opener just over a minute in) continued the flying start to her high school career, as did J.D. Natale, who sealed the win with an empty-netter. The Rams have by no means looked invincible, but they own the state’s best win thus far.
2. Darien (4-1-0)
Previous rank: 1
Conference: FCIAC
Coach: Gray Weicker
Next: vs. Trumbull, Jan. 3, 6:20 p.m.
It’s been a perplexing start for the Wave. They dominated the first four games they played, outscoring their opponents 20-3, including a 5-2 victory at the Wilton Co-op and a 4-0 win over the East Catholic Co-op, currently our fourth-ranked team. Weicker’s group was accordingly favored heading into the showdown with New Canaan, only to be soundly beaten. Junior forward Adriana Gromelski scored the Wave’s only goal in that game and already has five goals and four assists on the season. Darien looks elite, but it falls out of our top spot for now.
3. Amity Co-op (4-0-1)
Previous rank: 3
Conference: SCC
Coach: John Peschell
Next: vs. Avon Co-op, Jan. 3, 6 p.m.
The Blades finally ran into some resistance against West Haven/Sacred Heart Academy in a 3-3 draw two days before Christmas. Though they couldn’t stop second-team All-State WH/SHA forward Hailey Azzarone, Peschell’s group still controlled the game and had chances to win it in overtime. It’s the Blades’ only blemish so far, but with their top line of Maybelle Caron, Emelia Brandi and Caroline Barto still on fire with a combined 36 points in five games, the Amity Co-op remains at No. 3.
4. East Catholic Co-op (3-1-1)
Previous rank: 4
Conference: CCC
Coach: Frank Usegglio
Next: at West Haven/Sacred Heart Academy, Jan. 3, 3 p.m.
After an impressive first four games — which included an overtime win at Hall/Conard and a 4-1 victory over the Avon Co-op, two fellow CCC contenders — the wind left East’s sails a little bit in a 4-0 loss at Darien. Usegglio had to miss that game, and his group wasn’t able to generate the offensive zone time it needed against a state powerhouse. Still, behind a dominant top line of seniors Deirdre McKiernan and Charlie Laramee and freshman Ally Dudzinski (who’s been a revelation with six goals thus far), East looks capable of winning the CCC. Whether or not they can contend for the state remains to be seen.
READ MORE: Big-time clashes shook up the Conn. boys top 10
5. Hall/Conard (4-2-0)
Previous rank: 5
Conference: CCC
Coach: Jared Cohane
Next: at Guilford, Jan. 3, 1:30 p.m.
After losses to East Catholic and Darien to open the year, Hall/Conard has responded with four wins in a row, including a 9-4 victory over Ridgefield and a 7-0 win over Daniel Hand on Monday. Cohane shook up his lines before those two latest wins, moving junior Paige Sweeney to the top line with star senior Teagan Cohane, and Sweeney has responded with consecutive hat tricks. She’s up to 10 goals and three assists on the year, with Cohane leading H/C in total points (six goals and nine assists). There’s a longjam forming in the CCC, with the Avon Co-op (3-1-0) and Suffield Co-op (3-1-0) looking like potential league contenders along with H/C and East Catholic, but Cohane’s group edges Avon and Suffield for now and remains in our fifth spot.
In the hunt: Avon Co-op (3-1-0), Suffield Co-op (3-1-0)
