The Newtown-New Fairfield hockey team blanked Fox Lane of Bedford, N.Y., 6-0 on Senior Night at Danbury Ice Arena on February 11. The Nighthawks recognized their seniors, as well as Collin George Whitmore, who passed away due to a condition known as arteriovenous malformation at the age of 8 in 2016.

The Rebelhawks celebrated Senior Night in style with a dominant performance from start to finish. Before the puck dropped, the program honored its seven senior players — Andrew Stango, Cameron Longhi, Jack Meade, Colby Cheneski, Evan Kliczewski, Jackson Molison, and Carter Bisson — along with senior managers Bella Ruggiero and Stephen Mammola for their dedication and leadership throughout their careers. The seniors then made sure the night ended with a statement victory.

The Rebelhawks wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the first period. Ryan Schmidt opened the scoring off a feed from Stango, and Cheneski also earned an assist. Later in the period, Stango found the back of the net himself, finishing a setup from Meade and Molison to give the Rebelhawks a 2-0 lead after one.

The momentum carried into the second period. Schmidt struck again, this time assisted by Cheneski and Jordan Balla. Noah Kirshner added to the lead with a goal assisted by Aiden Lund and Cheneski, extending the advantage to 4-0 heading into the final frame. In the third period, Schmidt completed the hat trick, scoring his third goal of the night with assists going to Cheneski and Grayson Pimentel. Meade capped off the scoring with a goal assisted by Cheneski and Stango.

Bisson was stellar between the pipes as the goaltender turned aside all 20 shots he faced to secure the shutout and put the finishing touch on a memorable Senior Night victory.

Two nights later, the Division III Rebelhawks visited D-II South Windsor and fell in a 4-3 nail-biter. The Rebelhawks set the tone early on, then battled back late after South Windsor’s strong middle period. Meade opened the scoring in the first period, finishing a strong offensive sequence with assists from Stango and Longhi.

The second period, however, swung in South Windsor’s favor. The home team struck twice in quick succession — first with a shorthanded goal, and then capitalizing on a power play opportunity. South Windsor wasn’t done there, adding a third goal on a five-on-three power play to take control of the game heading into the final period.

Five minutes into the third, the Rebelhawks battled back. Cheneski found the back of the net, cutting the deficit to one. Stango and Longhi each picked up their second assists of the night on the play, continuing to drive the offense. South Windsor responded shortly after, regaining a two-goal advantage.

With just two minutes remaining and on their sixth power play opportunity of the night, the Rebelhawks made one final push. Meade netted his second goal of the game, assisted by Schmidt and Stango, who earned his third assist of the contest. Despite the late surge, time ran out.

It was a physical, hard-fought battle from start to finish. The Rebelhawks showed resilience and determination against a strong Division II opponent, proving how competitive they can be.