CHSGHA girls ice hockey top performers, games to watch

Meghan Croyle and Lexi Pachecho, ETB: Croyle, a senior, and Pachecho, a sophomore, each had a goal and an assist in the Storm’s 2-0 shutout of the Daniel Hand co-op in Newington on Tuesday.

Meghan Dupre, West Haven/SHA: The senior co-captain had a goal and three assists in the Westie Sharks’ 5-2 victory over Ridgefield at Bennett Rink on Tuesday. She also had a goal in a win over Amity and a loss to Hamden during the past week, and is averaging five blocked shots per game this season.

Meadow Gilchrist, Stamford/Westhill/Staples: Gilchrist scored twice in the second period of a 4-0 shutout of ETB last Wednesday at Terry Conners Rink in Stamford. The SWS co-op is unbeaten in its past 11 games (10-0-1) and is 13-1-1 overall.

Allison Guyer, Mercy/Northwest Catholic: The sophomore had a hat trick to help lead Mercy/Northwest Catholic to an 8-5 victory over the Wilton/Norwalk/McMahon co-op last Wednesday.

Kaleigh Harden, New Canaan: The senior forward had four points on two goals and two assists when the Rams’ defeated the Avon co-op 5-2 Saturday at the Darien Ice House. She assisted on goals by Maddie Tully and Grace Crowell, who scored 17 seconds apart to put New Canaan ahead 3-1.

Claire Haupt, Darien: The senior goalie blanked the ETB co-op 2-0 on Saturday at the Darien Ice House, picking up her seventh shutout of the winter.

Kaitlyn O’Brien, Simsbury: The Trojans’ senior goalie racked up 51 saves to help forge a 1-1 overtime tie with New Canaan last Wednesday at Simsbury Farms. The Rams had won 27 straight before the deadlock.

Paige Tuccinardi and Alyssa Gioia, Stamford/Wewsthill/Staples: The seniors each scored four goals to help lead the SWS co-op to a 10-1 victory over Wilton/Norwalk/McMahon on Saturday.

GAMES TO WATCH

Avon co-op at West Haven/SHA (Bennett Rink), Saturday, 5: West Haven/SHA is fighting for a state tournament berth and could use a big win. Avon is in better position in eighth place, but is looking to rebound from losses to Conard/Hall and New Canaan.

ETB at Greenwich (Hamill Rink), Saturday, 5:45: ETB travels to Greenwich for its fourth FCIAC match-up of the season. The Storm went 0-2-1 in those first three games and will take on a Cardinals’ team which is unbeaten in its last four (3-0-1), including a 4-1 win over Darien on Feb. 2.

Darien at New Canaan (Darien Ice House), Saturday, 7:30: In the last four meetings of the two rivals, four games have been decided by one goal, the one exception being New Canaan’s 3-1 victory early this winter. In that one, the Rams scored two to break a tie in the third period.

Darien at Trumbull/St. Joseph (Rinks at Shelton), Monday, 7:15: The Blue Wave has been a bit up and down of late, following a tie against ETB and a loss to Greenwich with a shutout of ETB and a road win over Guilford. Trumbull/St. Joseph is still looking to nail down a state playoff bid and was 11th in the standings heading into Wednesday’s games.

West Haven/SHA at Suffield co-op (Enfield Twin Rinks), Monday, 8:10: Two teams who entered Wednesday’s action on either side of the state playoff bubble - West Haven/SHA was inside in 12th place, while Suffield was outside in 13th. The winner will boost its chances.

Conard/Hall at ETB (Newington Ice Arena), Wednesday, 5:10: Conard/Hall has gone from a 5-8 team last winter to 9-4-2 this season. It will look to continue its success against one of the CCC’s perennial contenders in ETB.

Avon co-op at Simsbury (International Skating Center), Wednesday, 7:50: Simsbury leads the CCC pack with a 7-1-1 record, but Avon could take over the top seed with wins in its final two games, including this head-to-head showdown. Simsbury defeated Avon 4-2 on Jan. 12.

Stamford/Westhill/Staples at Guilford (Milford Ice Pavilion), Wednesday, 8:15: The SWS co-op has been flying high with 10 wins and a tie heading into action on Feb. 9. It will try to keep the roll going on the road against one of the SCC’s best in Guilford, which is 7-4-0.

— Dave Stewart