For Senior Night on Saturday, Cheshire High School ice hockey ended the regular season with a 4-2 victory over Joel Barlow/Weston/Abbott Tech Co-Op (JBWA, 11-8-1) at Louis Astorino Ice Arena in Hamden.
The Rams jumped ahead on a pair of power-play goals. After JBWA was twice whistled for roughing, junior Biagio Pepe netted the opening goal with 5:38 left in the first period. Senior co-captains Will Gaudet and Rocco Ocone-Krause picked up assists on the 5-on-3 power play.
CHS extended their lead with 10:19 left in the second. On another power play, Ocone-Krause found Gaudet for a point-blank shot into the net.
JBWA had a breakaway during the second, but senior Spencer Thomas sent a shot wide of the net.
Momentum shifted in the third period. Thomas scored JBWA’s first goal from junior Emmet Arees with 8:19 remaining, but Gaudet converted on a charge to the net just eight seconds later to put the Rams up 3-1.
Thomas cut the deficit again with 6:40 left. Senior Tommy Kane tallied the assist.
Cheshire regained the two-goal advantage on 2:02 remaining, as senior assistant captain Lukas Sargolini found the back of the net. Ocone-Krause earned his third assist.
The Rams led 34-29 in shots, with senior goalkeeper Jack Falk making 27 saves. Sophomore goalkeeper Connor Thomas recorded 30 saves for JBWA.
For Senior Night, Gaudet, Ocone-Krause, Sargolini, Falk, Corbin Forselius, Chase Hackett, Liam Harkins, Aiden Larke, Gabe Magriz, and Andrew Vaill were introduced before their final regular-season home game. Senior managers Kaitlyn Hartman and Devyn Sheehan were also recognized.
Cheshire won 10 of their last 11 games in the regular season. The team now turns their focus to the Division II state tournament.
The bracket has yet to be released.