The Ice Cats U12A1 team, a youth ice hockey squad that includes a number of New Canaan girls, this week beat the West Hartford Wolves in overtime to become Connecticut State Tier II Champions.
Ice Cats mark their win at states. Contributed
Coached by Kayla Grace, the team is composed of mostly New Canaan and Darien girls. The New Canaan girls on the U12 A1 team are Alla Duane, Shawna Ferraro, Grace Flatow, Avery Minter, and Nora Moley.
With the performance, the team heads to the University of Maine-Orono for Regionals March 17 to 19.
In round robin play, the Ice Cats initially lost to the West Hartford Wolves 1-2, beat the Northern Lights 2-0, then, in a nail biter, beat the Greenwich Skate Club 1-0.
The Ice Cats got their chance to avenge an only loss of round robin play against the West Hartford Wolves in the championship game. During the must-win game against the Greenwich Skate Club, late in the third period Chelsea Donovan assisted by Flatow scored on a nifty breakaway where she faked the goalie for the only goal.
Fighting their season rivals, the West Hartford Wolves, for the championship game, scores by Sydney Allen, Zoey Bye assisted by Ferraro and JP Pittignano brought the intensely fought game to a tie at 3-3. Battling late in a 10-minute sudden death overtime, Morgan Massey passed to Allen for the winning goal.
The team looks forward to continuing their winning season at the 12U Tier II Regionals at the Alfond Ice Arena in Orono.
Congratulations and good luck in Maine!