On Friday, February 13, the South Windsor Bobcats hockey team hosted the Newtown Nighthawks in a must-win game for both teams.
The ‘Cats last victory came in an overtime thriller against Woodstock Academy on January 24, marking a long drought, albeit riddled by injuries, that needed to soon come to an end.
A few minutes into the opening period, the visiting Nighthawks connected on the game’s opening goal that would be the only one of the period, sending both teams to the intermission with a 1-0 Newtown lead.
Early into the second period, Bobcats senior Logan Luna found himself alone on a breakaway. Luna sniped a shot right over the shoulder of the Nighthawks goalie to even the game at one apiece.
Soon after, senior captain and defenseman Evan Dunn would fire a shot from near the blue line and bury the puck into the back of the net for the go-ahead goal. In addition to being the go-ahead shot, it marked Dunn’s first career goal.
Before the period could end, another senior captain, Landon Ayotte, received a pass from Cam Lawler, the third senior captain. Ayotte took a shot that went off the bar and into the net, making the score 3-1.
Ayotte spoke to The Prowl after the game, saying “We took advantage of their short bench and tired them out. We kept our intensity up and that’s what won us the game.”
In the third period, the Nighthawks were able to bring the score within one on two separate occasions, but Bobcats senior Nolan Hathorn connected on his first goal of the season to keep the ‘Cats ahead.
As the final horn sounded, the Bobcats walked out with a 4-3 win. Head coach Nick Gionfriddo put it simply, saying “Feels nice to be back in the win column.”
Gionfriddo continued, telling The Prowl “With guys out with injuries, everyone is stepping up into big roles on the ice. All around great win for this group who refuses to quit and keeps their eyes on working to get into a playoff spot with time running out.”
His point stands true, as despite a 4-12 record, the ‘Cats still have a relatively simple path to playoffs that rests heavily on winning in their final three games.
The game was a nice return to the win column for a struggling Bobcats team, who still looks to fight their way into the state tournament.
