Playoff Bound — NHS Skates Into Postseason

By Andy Hutchison

Members of the Newtown High School hockey team assured themselves that when the final buzzer sounds at the end of the regular season finale on February 27 it will not mark the end of the season.

The Nighthawks locked up a Division III state playoff spot in a 3-1 win at Norwich Free Academy on February 13 with their eighth win of the campaign.

David Landau scored twice and had an assist, Brett Klein found the net for another goal, and goaltender Dylan Deselin stopped 27 shots to help the Nighthawks win.

Newtown improved to 8-6-1 overall with five remaining games in which to improve its seeding and tune up for the postseason.

“It feels fantastic,” Newtown Coach Paul Esposito said of qualifying for the playoffs, adding that there is still a lot of work to be done if the team is going to have some success in the tournament.

“Hopefully, the kids understand everyone plays at a different level when you get to the playoffs,” Esposito said. “We’re looking for a full 45 minutes of hockey.”

The Newtown coach is hoping for more three-period consistency from his team — and the kind of all-out effort the Nighthawks put forth, and the emotion they showed, in a 3-3 tie with rival Bethel-Brookfield-Danbury back on January 30.

Esposito is pleased with his team’s passing efforts both in even strength situations and on the power play. “I think our puck movement has been improving as a whole,” the coach said.

The team got a boost with the return of Ted Benoit to the lineup in the win over NFA. Benoit had been out of action with an injury since the second game. The Hawks have dealt with other injuries as well, and Esposito is excited to finally have three regular lines as the season winds down.

The Nighthawks edged EO Smith-Tolland-Windham 3-2 at Danbury Ice Arena on February 15 to improve to 9-6-1. Klein, Landau, and Josh Branchflower scored in the win, with Branchflower’s the decisive tally in the final half minute.

Newtown was slated to visit Shepaug-Litchfield-Wamago, a team the Hawks rolled over 8-0 earlier this season, on Wednesday (after The Bee sports section went to press).

On Saturday, February 20, the Hawks will host New Fairfield-Immaculate at 6 pm. Newtown closes out the regular campaign with games at Shelton on February 24 and home against Fitch-East Lyme on February 27.