By Rick Menning
WEST HAVEN, CT -- For the third time in five years, the West Haven High School/Sacred Heart Academy girls' ice hockey team reigns as Southern Connecticut Conference (SCC) champions.
Demonstrating tenacity and grit in all three zones, the co-op squad known as the Westie Sharks prevailed in an exciting 2024-25 season finale at the Edward L. Bennett Rink on the West Haven High School campus.
With more than half their roster comprised of either freshmen or sophomores, the host skaters outbattled an equally young Blades co-op (Amity, North Haven and Cheshire high schools) for a 2-1 win.
In keeping with the youthful makeup of this season's finalists, it was freshman Alessandra Picard who stole the show and powered her team to victory.
Everyone in attendance anticipated a close encounter after the top-ranked Westie Sharks (15-7) needed three overtimes to defeat Masuk co-op, 3-2; and the Blades (13-8-1) were up by only a goal late before edging Hamden co-op, 2-0, in the semifinal games.
In once again securing the SCC crown, the Westie Sharks returned to No. 1 status after losing to Hamden co-op, 3-1, in last year's title showdown. Those same two squads -- albeit with different rosters -- were involved in one of the greatest games in SCC girls' ice hockey final history in 2022-23 with the Westie Sharks prevailing in an outstanding 1-0 double-overtime match-up.
As a huge and enthusiastic crowd -- one that filled the stands and lined the railing along the viewing areas -- came out this past Saturday night and cheered every shift by both teams, the Westie Sharks and Blades provided end-to-end action that created one thrill after another through the 45 minutes.
Picard erupted for both Westie Sharks' goals after junior Maybelle Caron had staked the hard-charging-out-of-the-gate Blades to a 1-0 lead with an unassisted goal at the 3:23 mark of the first period.
"We're really good at coming back when the game isn't going our way at the beginning," said Picard, one of the top point producers for a freshman in Westie Sharks history. "We make sure that we pick (the intensity) up whenever we're in a close game. We're bonding on and off the ice so that's why we're so successful."
The Westie Sharks indeed flicked a switch midway through that initial frame and went on the attack with a strong offensive-zone presence.
Then, with just over two minutes before the intermission, that push for the equalizer paid dividends.
After firing a shot off a pass from freshman Ella Williams that Blades' netminder Ivy Massicotte initially got a glove on before the puck trickled inside the far post for a power-play goal to make it 1-1, Picard unleashed a no-doubter from the left circle with just over three minutes to go in the middle frame.
"It's always special (to contribute) but to do it in this kind of game is really special," Picard said. "We're really cohesive as a team so it doesn't matter who scores."
Her blistering riser, following a perfect feed from freshman Cara Milrad, sailed over Massicotte's shoulder and landed top shelf for what proved to be the decisive tally as neither team scored despite many high-quality chances in the third period.
Westie Sharks head coach Erin Blake had the highest of praise not only for Picard's performance on Saturday but also her debut season as a whole in the SCC.
"(Alessandra) is a standout ... one of the greatest kids I've ever met and one of the best hockey players I've ever seen," Blake said. "From start to finish she does what she has to do; she's coachable, she's a hard worker, she's a team player and she gets the job done."
Massicotte, a sophomore, kept the Blades in the game with a super-charged showing throughout the game. She excelled in stopping 32 of the Westie Sharks' 34 shots on goal.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the ice, junior Evelyn Twarowski -- battling through a sore hip -- settled in between the posts for the Westie Sharks after the goal by Caron and finished with 16 saves on 17 Blades' shots.
"Evelyn has been great for us. She's had some injuries to deal with this season ... she has a hurt hip right now ... but she does her job every game and fights to the end for us. You couldn't ask for more out of her," Blake said.
This title-clinching contest featured what SCC girls' ice hockey is all about: speed in transition, outstanding forechecking and poke checking, tight defensive work, clutch passing and excellent board battles.
Blake couldn't have been more proud of her youthful warriors and was especially pleased that three freshmen were on the scoresheet at the final buzzer.
"For them to be on this big a stage for the first time and to perform like they did was amazing," said Blake, who noted that coming back from deficits is nothing new to this season's Westie Sharks.
"That's what's so special about this team," she continued. "They fight hands-down until the very last second. This team has that comeback mentality in every game."
The 2024-25 SCC champions!
Westie Sharks (West Haven High School/Sacred Heart Academy)!
(In alphabetical order): Hailey Azzarone, Emma Bausch, Caitlyn Biancur, Sarah Davey, Heather Fonda, Emma Galati, Juliana Gonzalez, Taryn Lattanzi, Alina Lipinsky, Elena Losito, Megan Losito, Brooklynn Maher, Kelly Manfield, Cara Milrad, Riley Patton, Alessandra Picard, Evelyn Twarowski, Olivia Twarowski, Paige Welch, Ella Williams. The coaches are Erin Blake and Jocey Morrell.
The 2024-25 SCC runners-up!
Blades (Amity High School/North Haven High School/Cheshire High School)!
(In alphabetical order): Caroline Barto, Olivia Beach, Emelia Brandi, Maybelle Caron, Tierney Cox, Isabella Criscuolo, Annora DaCosta, Lucy Dickenson, Brooke Donovan, Brynn Gooley, Nora Grimes, Brianna Grimsley, Eva Hall, Taylor Higgins, Sophia Jimenez, Maura Lebreck, Ivy Massicotte, Kendall Montabana, Gabriella Munoz, Reese Rothfuss, Elaina Scasino, Charlotte Stannard, Annie Stewart. The coaches are John Peschell and Rob Murphy.
(A very special thank you to Blue Devil Photography and West Haven High School for allowing my not-for-profit publication the use of photos to help put these outstanding athletes in the spotlight that they are so deserving of.)
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