DANBURY — The Newtown High School boys' ice hockey team bounced back after two tough losses with a winning streak of seven games beginning January 31 and throughout the month of February. The Nighthawks had a rough start to their season but are improving as a team throughout the past month.

Newtown defeated Amity of Woodbridge 5-4 in overtime at Danbury Ice Arena on February 26. With a combination of goaltender Markus Paltauf’s 33 saves and the goals scored by Jack Stanton, Phil Makris, and James Celentano, who scored in OT, they earned another win. The goals were assisted by Makris, Celentano, Eli Kirby, Jack O’Connell, and Tyler DiMartino. After the first period, Newtown only had three shots on goal but was able to put each shot in the back of the net. They ended the game with a total of 12 shots on goal while Amity had 37.

“Never quit attitude. Of the first eight games that we lost, five of them were one goal games, so we were always in the mix there, but really good dynamic in the locker room where the kids just never quit. They always have a good attitude and that’s pretty much what it came down to,” Newtown Coach Paul Esposito said.

Newtown lost 3-1 to the Suffield co-op team in Danbury on February 29 to conclude the regular season with a record of 9-11. The boys held good possession and threatened to score more goals but were unable to overcome their opponent. Matthias Paltauf was assisted by Stanton, and Markus Paltauf made 44 saves.

“We got outplayed. They clearly have more numbers than we do; their roster’s twice the size of ours. They played well, too. They were aggressive, outshot us, and we just didn’t have our best game tonight,” Esposito said.

With the season coming to a close, the team is looking to advance far in the postseason.

“We have the potential to do well, it comes down to how we play and staying composed. Players lose composure, they get off-focus during the games, but we have as good a chance to do well as anybody in the conference. It’s just a matter of what team shows up on the night it’s on,” Esposito said.

Newtown earned the Southern Connecticut/South-West Conference's fourth seed and took on top-seeded Sheehan of Wallingford in the conference tourney's semifinals, at Bennett Rink in West Haven on March 3. The Nighthawks started with a 3-0 lead, were ahead 3-1 after one period, but fell 8-4.

Makris scored all four goals. Matthias Paltauf, Kirby, Celentano, and O'Connell all had assists. Newtown trailed 5-4 in the third period before a pair of Sheehan power play goals helped secure the win. Markus Paltauf made big saves to help keep Newtown in the game; the team reported that he made 67 saves.

The Division III state tournament begins on Monday, March 9.