Local Roundup: Hartford boys and girls hockey teams advance to state title games

White River Valley guard Tanner Drury (3) dribbles down the court while being defended by Thetford guard Kelsey Bogie (3) during a VPA D-II girls basketball quarterfinal game at Thetford Academy in Thetford, Vt., on Friday, March 1, 2024. White River Valley won, 55-36. (Valley News / Report For America - Alex Driehaus) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.

White River Valley guard Tanner Drury (3) dribbles down the court while being defended by Thetford guard Kelsey Bogie (3) during a VPA D-II girls basketball quarterfinal game at Thetford Academy in Thetford, Vt., on Friday, March 1, 2024. White River Valley won, 55-36. (Valley News / Report For America - Alex Driehaus) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. valley news / report for america — Alex Driehaus

White River Valley head coach Gordon Barnaby, center, gives his players a pep talk on the sidelines during a VPA D-II girls basketball quarterfinal game at Thetford Academy in Thetford, Vt., on Friday, March 1, 2024. (Valley News / Report For America - Alex Driehaus) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.

White River Valley head coach Gordon Barnaby, center, gives his players a pep talk on the sidelines during a VPA D-II girls basketball quarterfinal game at Thetford Academy in Thetford, Vt., on Friday, March 1, 2024. (Valley News / Report For America - Alex Driehaus) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. Alex Driehaus

Thetford guard Natalie Perry (33) shoots the ball while being defended by White River Valley forward Hannah Collins (21) during a VPA D-II girls basketball quarterfinal game at Thetford Academy in Thetford, Vt., on Friday, March 1, 2024. (Valley News / Report For America - Alex Driehaus) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.

Thetford guard Natalie Perry (33) shoots the ball while being defended by White River Valley forward Hannah Collins (21) during a VPA D-II girls basketball quarterfinal game at Thetford Academy in Thetford, Vt., on Friday, March 1, 2024. (Valley News / Report For America - Alex Driehaus) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. Alex Driehaus

White River Valley fans cheer for their team during a VPA D-II girls basketball quarterfinal game at Thetford Academy in Thetford, Vt., on Friday, March 1, 2024. (Valley News / Report For America - Alex Driehaus) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.

White River Valley fans cheer for their team during a VPA D-II girls basketball quarterfinal game at Thetford Academy in Thetford, Vt., on Friday, March 1, 2024. (Valley News / Report For America - Alex Driehaus) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. Alex Driehaus

Thetford senior guard Addison Cadwell, left, hugs team manager Ella Maxwell after losing the VPA D-II girls basketball quarterfinal game to White River Valley at Thetford Academy in Thetford, Vt., on Friday, March 1, 2024. (Valley News / Report For America - Alex Driehaus) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.

Thetford senior guard Addison Cadwell, left, hugs team manager Ella Maxwell after losing the VPA D-II girls basketball quarterfinal game to White River Valley at Thetford Academy in Thetford, Vt., on Friday, March 1, 2024. (Valley News / Report For America - Alex Driehaus) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. Alex Driehaus

Published: 03-03-2024 9:09 PM

Editor’s note: To have your team’s results included in the Local Roundup, visit https://www.vnews.com/submit-a-score.

GIRLS HOCKEY

Hartford 4, Middlebury 1

Key players: Hartford — Braelyn Park, Zoe Zanleoni, Nella Bowen; Middlebury — Ruby Hubbell

Highlights: The Hurricanes were up 1-0 after the first period, 2-0 after the second period and scored again to go up 3-0 at 9:40 in the third. Middlebury capitalized on one of the only defensive errors for a response with 9:06 remaining, but the Canes didn’t let up. Zanleoni’s breakaway with 1:55 remaining closed the door. Hartford meets Missisquoi in Tuesday’s VPA Division II championship game at UVM’s Gutterson Field House.

Coach’s quote: “Really proud of our play and our ability to keep our cool in some really rough seas. Seven penalties for each squad, and I was just trying to keep my girls healthy for next week.” — Hartford’s Kylie Young

Records: Hartford 15-6-1; Middlebury 10-12-0

BOYS HOCKEY

Hartford 7, Lyndon 2

Key players: Hartford — Logan Caffrey (2 goals, 2 assists), Cavan Benjamin (2 goals), Tighe Hrabchak (goal, assist), Ezra Mock (goal, assist), Nate Clark (goal, assist), Jaden Poirier (assist), Nick Daniels (assist), Nunu Meyer (20 saves)

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Highlights: Hartford — After the second-seeded Vikings scored the game’s first goal five minutes into play, third-ranked Hartford reeled off the next five and rolled to a VPA Division II semifinal victory. The Hurricanes take on Colchester in Tuesday’s state championship game at UVM’s Gutterson Field House.

Coach’s quote: “We had a short bench due to multiple factors. It’s tough to pinpoint what players stood out. As a team, we were perfectly imperfect. If I had to pick one, Tighe Hrabchak would be my choice. He’s playing the best hockey of his career with an impressive confidence. He scored the game’s first goal, and we seemed to settle in and play with structure, confidence and pure joy for the game.” — Hartford’s Todd Bebeau

Records: Hartford 12-7-3; Lyndon 16-3-3

Hanover 5, Bishop Guertin 2

Key players: Hanover — Jo Jo Drent (20 saves), Wyatt Seelig and Ryder Wilson (1 goal, 1 assist each), Andrew Rudd and Jack Wilkinson (1 goal each)

Highlights: Seelig scored first shift of game, Rudd followed up with a goal four minutes later and Wilkinson scored a shorthanded goal late in first to give Bears 3-1 lead after one. Goals by Ronan Przydzielski and penalty play marker by Ryder Wilson upped the lead to 5-1. The win sends the Bears to Wednesday’s NHIAA Division I semifinals against No. 1 Windham at Manchester’s JFK Coliseum.

Coach’s quote: “Tremendous effort by our group. This was a tough, physical playoff game in BG’s barn, and we didn’t blink. We played strong playoff hockey and received gutsy, gritty effort from everybody.” — Hanover’s Dick Dodds

Records: Hanover 15-7-0; Bishop Guertin 12-6-1

Dover 2, Lebanon-Stevens-Mascoma 1

Key players: Lebanon-Stevens-Mascoma — Evan George (goaltender), Mason Ballard (goal)

Highlights: Ballard scored from the neutral zone with a blistering shot top shelf. The Raiders never took a penalty in the game and Dover took just one. George kept LSM in the contest, but the Raiders’ offense couldn’t provide enough support.

Coach’s quote: “There is a reason Dover is the defending champs. They played a great game. As a program, we started the season with a clean slate, and it took till games 21 and 22 for us to lose back-to-back. The foundation is set for future success. ” — Lebanon-Stevens-Mascoma’s Dean Cashman

Records: Dover 11-5-3; Lebanon-Stevens-Mascoma 12-7-0

BOYS BASKETBALL

Hanover 51, Bow 34

Key players: Hanover — Christian Blix (18 points), Roy Lucas (10 points), Jaysen Oriol (9 points); Bow — Brendan O’Keefe (23 points)

Highlights: Hanover led 24-11 at halftime and rolled to an NHIAA Division II quarterfinal victory. The No. 2 Bears meet No. 3 Pembroke in Tuesday’s semifinals at Oyster River High in Durham.

Coach’s quote: “We played really tough in terms of our rebounding and physicality against a team who usually dominates others in that category. Very proud of our effort and excited to move on to the next round of the playoffs.” — Hanover’s Ben Davis

Records: Hanover 18-1; Bow 12-7

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Laconia 45, Hanover 27

Key players: Laconia — Macy Swormstedt; Hanover — Sydney McLaughlin, Allie McBride, Claire Starosta

Highlights: The first two quarters were low-scoring with Laconia leading 22-14 at halftime. Hanover’s scoring struggles continued as it trailed by 14 after three quarters. Despite a valiant effort, the Bears were unable to close the gap and were eliminated in the NHIAA D-II quarterfinals.

Coach’s quote: “I’m proud of and want to thank our seniors for what they’ve given to the program. Special congrats to Sydney, who scored her 1,000th point. She’s given so much and meant so much to the program, and I know she’d trade all 1,000 points for a championship.” — Hanover’s Dan O’Rourke

Records: Laconia 17-3; Hanover 14-6

Hazen 59, Oxbow 32

Key players: Hazen — Braylee Phelps; Oxbow — Caitlyn Davison

Highlights: Hazen played very well in a VPA Division III quarterfinal.

Coach’s quote: “I really enjoyed coaching this group of young athletes. The team fell short of meeting its final goal of the season, but the players are ready to work hard to get where they want to be.” — Oxbow’s Barry Emerson

Records: Hazen 18-1; Oxbow 11-11