WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Saturday afternoon served as a measuring stick for first-year Hartford High girls hockey coach Kylie Young.
Hosting Burlington-Colchester at Wendall A. Barwood Arena, the Hurricanes skated toe to toe with last year’s VPA Division I finalists. They didn’t lack any of the grit and physicality Young has been trying to ingrain in them since the preseason.
But Hartford’s youth gave way to some power-play struggles, which proved to be the difference. The Hurricanes allowed three shorthanded goals, falling 5-2.
“Just from our first game to this game, we’re much more physical,” said Young when asked what the Hurricanes’ biggest improvement has been. “We’re tying the puck up on the boards. We’re doing all the things you need to do to beat a powerhouse team like Burlington-Colchester. We’ve had some hard games this year. Possessing the puck long enough to generate a shot in front of the net, that’s been big.”
Hartford trailed, 3-0, entering the final period. The SeaLakers (2-1-1) made it a 4-0 game with 11:43 remaining on a Ruby Wool score from Brynn Coughlin, less than a minute into their power play.
The Hurricanes wouldn’t fold, though. Eighth grader Madison Barwood netted her first career goal 25 seconds after the Burlington-Colchester strike. Sophie Trombley was credited with the assist.
Ten seconds later, the SeaLakers extended their lead to 5-1 thanks to Norra Moody’s slapshot set up by a Leighton Guyette pass.
Hartford’s Nedra Dwinell tipped a shot past Burlington-Colchester goalie Leah Boyd with 3:32 to play in a scrum in front of the net, making it a 5-2 contest.
Young’s squad had power-play opportunities on Saturday, too, in the second and third periods.
“Young coaching error: I assumed we knew what we were doing on the power play at the start of the season,” said the 2002 Hartford graduate. “We practiced it and we went out our first game, we never got set up in our offensive zone. So the fact we can possess the puck long enough to get set up, to make a few passes to open up the shot — we’re doing that now.”
The D-III Hurricanes have now played the SeaLakers, along with last year’s D-I state champion, Essex, and D-II title winners, Spaulding.
Strength of schedule isn’t being used as an excuse for Hartford’s three losses this season. Eleven of the Canes’ 17 rostered players are underclassmen; Young is hoping that exposing her team to stiff competition early on will bode well come March.
She’s also confident Hartford is improving game to game. A main focus in practice this week was possessing the puck in the attacking zone and getting shots on net. On Saturday, the Canes outshot the visitors, 19-13.
“We’re playing the right teams,” Young said. “We’ve got skilled players that can use body, pinch well and play the puck. We just have to capitalize and possess the puck more and control the play. We’ve got the pieces. … It’s just putting these little pieces together as we improve each day.”
If the proof of improvement isn’t in shots on goal, then look at the record.
A year ago, the Canes finished 1-20-0. Through five games this season they are 2-3-0. The last time the Canes won three games in a season was the 2016-17 campaign.
Hartford might be a ways away from being a state finalist. But winning a Vermont Hockey League regular-season title for the first time since 2007 seems much more attainable than it did this time last year. The Canes have yet to lock down a VPA state girls hockey crown.
“I’m happy we’re generating a winning culture and the girls want to win,” Young said. “That’s a huge improvement from what I walked into. I’m so happy to be leading them through that journey.”
Notes: Hartford hosts Rutland on Wednesday. The VPA has not announced sites for its hockey tournaments, but championship games are tentatively scheduled for March 23 and 24. … Dwinell was awarded the Canes’ grit hard hat. … Hartford goalie Zoe Pfeiffer made eight saves. … Burlington-Colchester’s Kendall Muzzy finished with two goals, and Erin Boyd added one to the pile.
Pete Nakos can be reached at pnakos@vnews.com.