WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — The Hartford High girls hockey team has come a long way in the last two months.
On Dec. 27, the Hurricanes made the short trip to Union Arena and fell to rival Woodstock, 3-1. In Wednesday evening’s regular-season finale, with the Wasps still undefeated and Hartford riding a 10-game winning streak, the Canes trailed by that score entering the third period.
But Hartford (17-3-0) scored twice in a 17-second span to tie things up, and with 3 seconds to go in regulation time, freshman Madison Barwood fired a shot past Woodstock sophomore goaltender Meridien Bremel for a 4-3 Hurricanes victory, knocking the Wasps (18-1-0) from the ranks of the unbeaten.
“I had told them I had faith that we could win this game,” Hartford head coach Kylie Ammel Young said. “That wasn’t just to build them up; I was fully confident we could do it. We got a couple breaks, and we utilized it. We took full advantage of any opportunity we had.”
Barwood opened the scoring less than a half-minute into the second period, but the remainder of the middle stanza was all Woodstock. Senior Skylar Haley scored twice, and sophomore Hannah Gubbins found the back of the net as well.
Hartford junior Nedra Dwinell pulled the Hurricanes closer on a power play with just under eight minutes to go, and senior Nora Knudsen’s shot through traffic somehow got through into the net before the public-address announcer had time to call Dwinell’s goal. Hartford outshot the Wasps, 21-17.
Woodstock will still be the No. 1 seed in the VPA Division II playoffs, which start next week. The Hurricanes will be the No. 2 seed, setting the rivals up for a potential rubber match two weeks from now at UVM’s Gutterson Field House in Burlington.
Hartford set a program record for wins in a single season with Wednesday’s victory, and Young was given the game puck to commemorate the milestone.
“Beating Woodstock, going into the playoffs, their perfect season done, this puck is going to live in our locker room in a frame,” Young said. “We’re going to look at it whenever we doubt whether we can get something done. I sure hope we make it to the championship game, and I sure hope it’s against Woodstock.”
Leb.-Stev.-Kearsarge 8Souhegan 0 WEST LEBANON — The Raiders (9-7-0) went into the postseason on a high note, blowing out the Sabers at Campion Rink.
Phoebe Ballard had a hat trick and added an assist as well. Mackenzie Ray and Nitara Murray each scored their first varsity goals, and Greta Barber had three assists. Elena Robb, Emma Leute and Claire Falcone had two helpers apiece. LSK led by four just seven minutes into the game.
“That was a good team win,” Raiders head coach Mike Sheehan said. “We played with our heads up and moved the puck well.”
BOYS HOCKEY Hartford 8St. Johnsbury 0 WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — The Hurricanes (20-0-0) completed an undefeated regular season for the second time in program history, the first coming in 1985.
Joseph Barwood scored four goals to pace Hartford, and Ozzy DeFelice, James McReynolds, Connor Tierney and Gordie Willey all scored once.
The Canes will be the top seed in the VPA Division II playoffs starting next week.
Woodstock 4, Lyndon 4 WOODSTOCK — The Wasps (10-8-2) played to a draw with the Vikings to conclude the regular season.
Woodstock awaits their seeding in the VPA Division II playoff bracket. The Wasps entered the night in sixth place.
GIRLS BASKETBALL Thetford 53Leland & Gray 17 THETFORD — The No. 7 seed Panthers (11-8) blew out the 10th-seeded Rebels to open the VPA Division III playoffs.
The game was tied after a quarter, but Thetford went on a 21-2 run in the second to take control.
Thetford’s attack was extremely balanced, with no Panther in double figures but seven players scoring at least five points.
Junior Madi Mousley led the way with nine, and Kelsey Bogie, Whitney Lewis and Mason Fahey each scored eight.
The Panthers will face No. 2 seed Williamstown in Saturday’s quarterfinals.
Otter Valley 69, Oxbow 37BRANDON, Vt. — The No. 11 seed Olympians (7-14) saw their season end in the first round of the VPA Division III playoffs against the No. 6 seed Otters.
For seniors Darcy O’Connell, Nora Fahey, Taylor Bean, Alexa Kosakowski, Emma Parkin and Sarah Kuge, it’s the end of their time wearing Oxbow purple.
BOYS BASKETBALL WRV 41, Bellows Falls 40 SOUTH ROYALTON — The Wildcats (13-4) avenged a loss to the Terriers 13 days ago with Wednesday’s home victory.
Down by nine at the half, White River Valley rallied, led by 14 points each from Dominic Craven and Weston Trombly.
WRV concludes the regular season Friday at Twin Valley, which it defeated by 41 points on Feb. 12.