Schools

Northwest Catholic Tops Enfield Skaters In Outdoor Contest

Greenwood brothers combine to lift Indians past Raiders at Whalers Hockey Fest 2011.

Jeff Greenwood scored a pair of goals, and his brother Matt combined with Alex Connal to turn back 24 shots, leading to a 2-0 victory over in an outdoor hockey game Friday at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

Prior to the game, the ceremonial first puck was dropped by former Boston Bruins star Craig Janney. A three-time All-State performer who led Enfield to consecutive state championships in 1982 and 1983, Janney had his number 15 jersey retired by the Raiders Friday. He will play Saturday afternon in the Legends Game at Rentschler, featuring retired members of the Bruins and Hartford Whalers.

Enfield outplayed the Indians for the majority of the contest, outshooting them 24-11, but the Raiders were unable to find the back of the net.

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"The first period we outplayed them, outskated them, outchanced them," Enfield head coach Joe Bonfiglio said. "We knew going in that their goaltending is solid, and we didn't get enough traffic in front of the net. I don't think we fought for it hard enough."

Jeff Greenwood got the ball rolling immediately for Northwest, scoring just 25 seconds after the opening faceoff. He added his second goal on a wraparound shot with 3:36 left in the second period, assisted by Patrick Melanson.

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The outdoor game was part of Whalers Hockey Fest 2011, an 11-day event featuring youth, high school, college and pro games. "The kids were absolutely very excited, almost too excited," Northwest Catholic coach Don Melanson said. "We told them to just enjoy the moment, it's not too often you get a chance to do something like this."

In what was supposed to be a rebuilding year, the Indians improved to 8-7-2, and have clinched a berth in the CIAC Division III state tournament. "We started the season 1-5, so we really bought into playing smarter , playing your position a little better and concentrating on what your jobs are on the ice," Melanson said.

The Indians are back in action Monday, hosting St. Bernard-Bacon-NFA at the Newington Arena at 8:10 p.m.

Enfield dropped to 5-10-1, but will get right back on the ice Saturday, hosting crosstown rival Fermi at the Enfield Twin Rinks at 2:40 p.m.


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