WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Can the undefeated Hartford High boys hockey team really keep playing at its current level?
“I think they might,” said Lyndon Institute coach Jeremy Roberge, whose squad, third in the VPA Division II standings entering the week, suffered an 8-0 loss to the Hurricanes on Monday evening at Wendell Barwood Arena. “They’re smart and skilled and fast, and as soon as one of them gets the puck, it’s off their stick and on to the next guy.”
Hartford improved to 15-0-0 behind two goals and four assists from Ozzy DeFelice, two goals and an assist from Blaine Gour and a goal and three assists from James McReynolds. Lyndon (8-5-0), like virtually every other Hurricanes opponent, couldn’t prevent Hartford from scoring in transition, during in-zone possessions or on the power play.
“Our (first) line of McReynolds, Gour and DeFelice, they just had a different gear than anyone on the ice tonight,” said Hartford coach Todd Bebeau, whose team hosts second-place Mount Mansfield (10-4-1) on Wednesday. “We keep finding ways to get better. We’re not where we need to be, but we’re where we should be right now.”
It’s hard to imagine Hartford playing with more precise execution, but Bebeau said he judges his team in seven categories for each contest and that he’s yet to check off all seven. Monday, sloppy execution during the Hurricanes’ second power play prevented a perfect score.
“It’s the little things,” said Bebeau, who played on Hartford’s first state title team in 1985 and has coached the other four championship squads in program history. “I’m admittedly micromanaging what we’re doing, but there is room for improvement.”
Hartford’s other scorers against the Vikings were Joseph Barwood, Nick Daniels and Ezra Mock. Aidan Boonyaharn added two assists, and Davey Bradley stopped 15 shots. The Hurricanes played their third and fourth lines for most of the third period.
“A lot of times, our best competition is the guys in the same color jerseys,” Bebeau said. “I thoroughly enjoy our practices because they have everything in them — speed, grit, spirit — that a hockey coach would want.”
— Tris Wykes
GIRLS HOCKEY Lebanon-Stevens-Kearsarge 1, Berlin-Gorham-Kennett 0 BERLIN, N.H. — Lily Hoegler scored her first high school goal with 1 minute, 46 seconds remaining in the third period at Notre Dame Arena. Hoefler’s older sister, Paige, stopped 40 Mountaineers shots to drop the hosts to 6-5-0.
Lily Gogan and Elena Robb assisted on the goal. Mountaineers goaltender Luma Berry made nine saves.
“I’m so proud of our team to come up here and pull out a win like that,” said LSK coach Mike Sheehan, whose 6-4-0 team visits Kingswood on Wednesday. “We played hard all game, and when you play like that, you’re going to make some breaks for yourselves. Paige was a rock all game, and Lily got rewarded for her hard work.”
BOYS BASKETBALL Northfield 63, Windsor 33 WINDSOR — Kaleb Swett led the hosts with 10 points. Mason Fortin had eight points and Corey Lockwood chipped in seven points for the Yellowjackets, who slid to 6-7 and who visit Springfield on Thursday. The Marauders improved to 9-4.
Newfound 49, Stevens 46 CLAREMONT — Cooper Moote scored 11 points and Trystan Lane had nine, but the Cardinals dropped to 7-5 while Newfound improved to 8-7.
The visitors scored 13 of the fourth quarter’s 21 points. Stevens plays at Fall Mountain on Tuesday.
Hartford 72, Otter Valley 55 WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — The Hurricanes led by only three points at intermission before leaving the Otters (3-12) behind. Hartford’s Brandon Potter had 18 points, followed in output by Tarin Prior (14), Brayden Trombley (13) and Brody Tyburski (12).
The Hurricanes (10-2) host Woodstock (3-7) on Thursday. The neighboring rivals became heated at the end of their Jan. 4 meeting, won by Hartford, 65-50. The Wasps are led by former Hurricanes coach Steve Landon, while Hartford is directed by onetime Woodstock bench boss Jeff Thomas.
Mount St. Joseph 65, Woodstock 47 WOODSTOCK — The Wasps lost for the fifth time in seven games and fell to 3-7. MSJ improved to 7-2. Woodstock visits Hartford on Thursday.