Cheshire Ice Hockey Rides Hot Streak Into SCC Tournament

March 5, 2010 by Greg Lederer

Wesleyan University hosted a festive atmosphere on Feb. 24. Posters covered the boards of Spurrier-Snyder Rink while fans chanted loudly for their favorite team. The Cheshire High School ice hockey team definitely enjoys an advantage at home and Senior Night was no exception. Seven players were recognized prior to battling New Milford.
“The atmosphere is great,” said Nate Gaudio, a senior captain with Mike Diglio, Drew Cunningham, and J.D. Keegan. “Seeing everybody cheer gives us an extra pep in our step.”
The captains, along with Greg Breda, Mike Devine, and Colby Olin picked up hockey by age eight. Devine, a transfer from Avon Old Farms School last season, is the only player not to play four years.
“It’s hard to believe it went by so fast,” Cunningham reflected.
“It’s really emotional for all of us,” added Diglio. “It’s bittersweet to be leaders now. You realize how much you will miss it.”
Diglio aims to convert a goal per game, but would take a win over scoring. He exceeded expectations by scoring twice against New Milford. Cheshire built a 3-0 lead and out-shot the Green Wave 42-5 for a 4-1 victory.
Cheshire wasted little time pressuring freshman goalkeeper Matt DePalma, scoring in the first period. Junior Matt Dupont passed to Gaudio, who crossed the puck to Diglio at middle ice. Diglio skated down the left side and pulled up for a laser shot that ripped inside the upper right corner of the net.
“That felt really good. I pointed to my mother in the crowd going back,” stated Diglio.
New Milford was limited to just two shots in the first period. Thanks to DePalma, Cheshire led by just one. DePalma stopped a breakaway from Devine early in the second period, but he wouldn’t be denied. Sophomore Tyler Violano intercepted the puck below middle ice, making a touch pass to Devine for a 2-0 lead with 4:48 left.
“It’s a tough game for the kids to play being Senior Night. I told them to take it one shift at a time,” said Cheshire Head Coach Jim Riccitelli. “It’s been a great group since they came here.”
The Rams killed an interference penalty in the first five minutes of the second period. When New Milford was whistled for the same infraction with 28 seconds left, Cheshire capitalized on the power play. The third goal took only fifty seconds into the third period. Devine fired a shot that deflected behind DePalma. Diglio converted the rebound.
“Mike and me did a give-and-go. I saw the defenseman take a swat at it (puck) and miss, so I scored under him,” Diglio said.
New Milford’s Jake Peterson finally converted past junior goalkeeper Jason Bailin with 6:53 left. The Rams answered at 48 seconds. Passes from Breda and junior Ryan Powers found sophomore Alex Vendetto for a point-blank shot. Cheshire has allowed only 33 goals this season.
“It’s important to be strong on defense,” added Keegan. “We do have a lot of faith in him (Bailin).”
A defensive leader with Cunningham and Olin, Keegan has added a spark offensively. Keegan netted the game-winning goal (4-3) with 7:32 remaining on Feb. 27 to break a 3-3 tie at Lyman Hall. Cheshire trailed 3-1 at the end of the first period, but clawed their way back behind third-period goals from Devine (power play) and Keegan. Sophomore Spencer Hackett and Gaudio (power play; assist) also scored. Diglio contributed two assists, while Vendetto and Olin added one each. The Rams out-shot the Trojans 48-21, with Bailin making 18 saves.
Two days later, Cheshire faced a similar situation at Choate Rosemary Hall. They rallied from a 2-0 deficit against Sheehan and won 4-3 again in overtime. Pinpoint passing created the golden goal. Keegan received a pass from Gaudio and charged from the right side, finding Devine (assist) at the opposite post with 2:17 left.
“I was coming off a shift and looking for a change. But I saw J.D. pinch and he is a great player,” explained Devine, who leads in goals (30; 14 assists) and points (44) for the second straight year. “He looked up and made a great pass. He did the dirty work.”
“I was thinking shot the whole way, but saw Mike out of the corner of my eye. It was a reaction,” reflected Keegan, who had two assists. “It was so great when I saw it hit twine.”
Momentum swung on power plays. Sheehan was unable to convert their first two chances while Cheshire scored twice to knot the score (2-2) heading into the third period. Violano scored a deep pass from sophomore Spencer Hackett late in the first period. The second period saw Gaudio crash to the net and convert.
“Spencer made a great pass and I had a 2-on-1 breakaway with (freshman) Owen Powers. It felt really good,” added Violano.
Violano put Cheshire ahead (3-2) for the first time. Olin fed him in front of the net and Violano converted just 1:26 into the third period. However, a pair of tripping penalties hurt Cheshire. With the 5-on-3 advantage, Sheehan’s George Wooster tied the score at 3-3.
Cheshire carried the power-play advantage into overtime, but the play of Sheehan goalkeeper Cameron Sidwell helped kill the penalty. Devine finally recorded the game-winner for the Rams, who out-shot Sheehan 38-23.
Bailin (20 saves) has been key to an eight-game win streak. Sophomore Tyler Carbone started 10 of the first 11 games prior to season-ending injury. Bailin has compiled a 1.9 goals against average and .830 save percentage this winter.
“It is unfortunate. It does feel good to step up for the team,” said Bailin, who didn’t play as a sophomore. “I wanted the chance to prove myself. I wanted to make varsity and did it.”
The night after their overtime thriller, Cheshire (15-5 record) exploded offensively for a 6-3 win over Wethersfield. Devine had a hat trick and Owen Powers contributed to four of the first five goals. The Rams compiled 28 shots and received 16 saves from Bailin during the regular season finale.
“We came out strong tonight. I thought Owen played very well,” reflected Devine, who has already eclipsed his goal and assist total from last season.
This time, the Rams jumped ahead on first-period goals from Devine. Owen Powers assisted both shots and scored twice for a 5-1 lead at the end of the second period. Cheshire was penalized twice, but that didn't stop them from being offensive. Owen Powers took the puck away in a sea of players and fired a short-handed goal across the middle. Cheshire killed four power plays during the night.
“We're always told to be aggressive,” explained Owen Powers. “Once we get the opportunity, we cash in.”
A transition sequence created the fourth goal. Breda skated down middle ice and passed to Ryan Powers, who found Devine right in front of the net. Devine, Owen Powers (10 goals, 16 assists), and Violano (seven goals, 12 assists) have gelled on the second line.
“It’s been great. It’s a wonderful opportunity to be on the second line,” said Owen Powers.
Sam Spellman scored twice for Wethersfield, while Diglio and Dupont found Gaudio (assist) for the final goal with 1:23 left. Keegan had two assists again.
Cheshire seeks to defend the Southern Connecticut Conference Division II Championship. The Rams (second seed) face Daniel Hand (third seed; 9-11 record) tomorrow, at 8 p.m. from West Haven’s Bennett Rink. With a win, they would play Amity (top seed; 17-2-1 record) or Lyman Hall (fourth seed; 12-8 record) for the title on Saturday, at 7 p.m.
“It’s going to be a challenging tournament with a lot of good teams. I think we are building momentum,” added Cunningham.
Cheshire received the top seed last year, defeating Amity (3-1) and Branford (4-2) for their first SCC title since 1999. Devine scored two goals against Branford to earn Most Outstanding Player.
While Devine is one of the state's top scorers, Cheshire has also depth offensively. Diglio (10 goals, 10 assists), Gaudio (11 goals, 13 assists), and Dupont (two goals, seven assists) have chemistry on the first line. Ryan Powers also figures into the mix with 11 points (four goals, seven assists). Keegan has added five goals and eight assists from defense.
The Rams are looking to make their third consecutive appearance in the title game. Cheshire defeated Hand 6-0 back on Jan. 14, but lost 6-4 to visiting Amity five days earlier. They swept the season series with Lyman Hall.
“It’s 0-0 when the game starts,” said Riccitelli. “We have to put together three full periods.”