The Newtown-New Fairfield Rebelhawks hockey team faced Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury, Immaculate (BBDI) in a competitive game in which the teams supported the fight against cancer at Danbury Ice Arena on January 28. The Rebelhawks lost 7-4. Strong fan support added to the atmosphere throughout the night. The student section and cheerleaders helped create an energetic environment as the Rebelhawks battled in a high-tempo matchup.

NNF opened the scoring in the first period when Grayson Pimentel found the back of the net, and Colby Cheneski followed with a goal, assisted by Pimentel, to give the Rebelhawks a 2-1 lead after one period. BBDI responded in the second, but NNF stayed within reach. Jack Meade scored a power play goal, assisted by Ryan Schmidt and Cheneski. In goal, Carter Bisson made 45 saves, keeping the Rebelhawks competitive despite BBDI taking the lead by the end of the second period.

The Rebelhawks tied the game in the third when Andrew Stango scored, with an assist from Schmidt, making it 4-4 and energizing the crowd once again. BBDI, however, finished strong with three late goals to pull away. Despite the loss, the Rebelhawks delivered a strong effort in a meaningful game, highlighted by solid individual performances — including a three-point night from Stango, who finished with a goal and two assists — and enthusiastic support from the stands.

The Rebelhawks hit the road on January 31, making the long bus trip to Norwich to take on Division II opponent the Eastern Eagles. Despite being a Division III squad and playing shorthanded due to injuries, the Rebelhawks competed hard but ultimately fell 2-0 in a tightly contested matchup.

Bisson delivered an outstanding performance in net, stopping 38 shots and keeping the Rebelhawks within striking distance all night. Offensively, Meade led the attack with eight shots on goal, followed closely by Cheneski with six.

With the lineup stretched thin, the Rebelhawks received key contributions from their sophomore class, as Andrew DeMarco, Kyle Lewis, and Noah Kirshner stepped up to fill bigger roles and maintain the team’s energy and pace. Late in the third period, Schmidt drew two penalties, giving the Rebelhawks prime power play opportunities to shift momentum, but the team was unable to convert.

Despite the loss, the Rebelhawks showed grit, depth, and resilience, battling a higher-division opponent and taking positives away from a hard-fought road game.

The Rebelhawks will have their Senior Night game on Wednesday, February 11, when Fox Lane visits Danbury Ice Arena at 6 pm. The team will honor Collin Whitmore, an avid hockey player from Sandy Hook who passed away in 2016 due to arteriovenous malformation at the age of 8.

Additionally, the team will support Wounded Warrior Project when taking on the Joel Barlow co-op in Danbury on Wednesday, February 25 at 5:30 pm. A friend of the family of Blair Balmforth, who passed away in the summer of 2025, donated a New York Rangers Artemi Panarin jersey for the team to use as a raffle item to help raise more money for Wounded Warrior Project. The jersey was autographed by Panarin who was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in early February. The hockey team will honor Balmforth’s legacy; a Newtown High graduate, he was a lifeguard, swim instructor, and volunteered with Newtown Volunteer Ambulance. To donate to Wounded Warrior Project, visit communityfundraising.woundedwarriorproject.org/campaigns/Warrior-Cup.