By David Fierro
Greenwich High School’s boys ice hockey team entered Wednesday’s FCIAC Tournament semifinal-round game against New Canaan playing its best hockey of the season, having won three consecutive games, including a victory over Fairfield Ludlowe/Warde in the tournament’s quarterfinals.
Yet New Canaan also went into the FCIAC semifinal showdown on a hot streak, riding an eye-opening 12-game winning streak, earning it the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament.
Once the puck was dropped starting Wednesday’s playoff matchup, the Rams showed exactly why they are the top-seeded squad in the conference.
Applying relentless pressure on No. 5-seeded Greenwich throughout, No. 1-seeded New Canaan skated to an impressive 5-0 win at Darien Ice House, earning a berth in Saturday’s 12 p.m. FCIAC Tournament final.
In last Wednesday’s FCIAC semifinals between the Rams and Cardinals, the game was scoreless until freshman forward Jack Thompson scored 12:51 into the first period. Thompson finished off a 2-on-1 in front for the game’s first goal. Junior forward Brayden Robie and senior linemate Gavin Fitzpatrick each assisted on the Rams’ opening goal.
The tally came after the Cardinals kept it a scoreless game while the Rams went on a power play at the 7:38 mark of the first period. Greenwich senior goalie Nick Sinisi registered several stellar saves during the opening period.
“Their goalie did a really good job,” New Canaan coach Clark Jones said. “Once we started to get a couple then it started to go our way. Greenwich, from the first two times we played them until now, got considerably better.”
Indeed, the first time Greenwich faced New Canaan it dropped a 4-1 decision and its second meeting of the season resulted in an 8-1 defeat. Coached by Jack Duffy, the Cardinals were more competitive in their third matchup of the season against the Rams, who sport a standout record of 20-2 so far this winter.
The Cards began the second period on a power play, but couldn’t capitalize, as the Rams maintained their one-goal advantage. With 11:15 remaining in the second period, New Canaan increased its lead, courtesy of senior forward Max Lowe. Receiving the puck off a pass from senior linemate Doster Crowell, Lowe snapped a shot from the right faceoff circle that found its mark, giving the Rams a 2-0 lead.
Sinisi made several more saves before the Rams posted their third goal of the game. This time, Crowell took a shot from the left wing and snuck the puck past Sinisi’s stick side, putting New Canaan on top, 3-0, with 3:05 to go in the second period. Junior defenseman Elliott Kropf set Crowell up nicely for the goal.
“Elliott laid a body on the guy, kicked it out to me and I scored,” Crowell said of his goal. “He did a great job.”
Crowell noted the Rams are peaking at exactly the right time.
“We feel great, we’ve really hit our stride, after our two early losses of the season, we haven’t lost since,” Crowell said. “We’ve really hit our stride and we’re all playing well.”
The victors’ final goal of the third period came with only 0.6 seconds remaining. Creating space for himself between the circles Lowe converted a shot that whizzed past Sinisi top shelf, putting the Rams ahead, 4-0.
“I don’t know if I’ve seen a goal go in like that with 0.6 seconds left,” Jones said. “You play to the end – that was a big one – Max’s goal was a big one.”
Junior Heath Jervis, freshman Brent Brower and senior Kyle Allen helped pace Greenwich’s play up front, as it tried to apply pressure on the Rams.
“Jack did a really good job with them, they’re young,” Jones noted. “Kudos to them, they worked hard.”
An unassisted goal by senior forward Gavin Fitzpatrick in the third period capped the Rams’ scoring. Senior goalie Mason Pickering registered the shutout win.
“For the most part, our ‘D’ had good gaps and moved the puck up the ice, so we were on the attack more than we were defending,” Jones said. “They did a really good job.”
Greenwich (5-16) skated into Wednesday’s FCIAC semifinal off victories against Notre Dame-Fairfield, St. Joseph and Fairfield Warde/Ludlowe.
“I think over the past two weeks, we’ve been playing better,” Duffy noted. “We had three wins last week and the boys are building up some confidence. We came in here pretty confident tonight, but we ran into a buzz-saw.”
As the game progressed, the top-seeded Rams imposed their will, as the second period showed.
“The second period was about staying true to our game plan,” Crowell said. “We came out stronger in the second period.”
In the regular season matchup, New Canaan defeated Ridgefield, it’s opponent in Saturday’s FCIAC final, 5-0.
“It’s another one of those games where you throw everything out the door,” Jones said. “These games are always close. Our team is ready and excited.”
UPDATE
In an exhilarating display of ice hockey at the Danbury Ice Arena this past Saturday, the New Canaan Rams, led by the Low brothers, snatched the 2024 FCAC Championship from the Ridgefield Tigers in a nail-biting overtime finish.
The match, a riveting contest of skill, strategy, and sheer will, was a showcase of the Low brothers’ dominance on ice. Rogan Low opened the scoring for New Canaan, setting the tone for what was to be an edge-of-the-seat thriller. Commentator John Frers observed the momentum shift, “Rogan Low, with his first goal, got New Canaan buzzing right back into the game.”
However, Ridgefield was not to be outdone. They responded with a vengeful rally, putting two past New Canaan, including a pivotal goal by Luke Pereira. The Tigers’ determination was evident, but the Rams’ resilience shone through.
The crucial moment for New Canaan came from Tony Del Carmine, who netted a vital equalizer, bringing the score level at 2-2. His goal set the stage for what was to be a dramatic conclusion in overtime.
As the overtime period progressed with high tension, it was Max Low, echoing his brother’s earlier impact, who found the back of the net in a stunning fashion. “Max Low, off the rebound, goes top right corner and finds the goal,” exclaimed an excited PJ Neville, encapsulating the big moment of the match.
Max Low’s game-winning goal not only exemplified his skill but also underscored the significant role he and his brother played in New Canaan’s triumph. Neville further noted, “It has to be Max Low… He scored the game-winning goal, circling the whole ice tonight, and really being involved in the offense.”
The New Canaan Rams, having just secured the FCAC title, are looking ahead to their next challenge in the state hockey tournament. As the 2024 FCAC Champions, the Rams have not only boosted their confidence but also solidified their status as a formidable team in the state.
As FCAC Champions and the top seed in their tournament, New Canaan will enter the state playoffs with a first-round bye.
