Jack Ludtke
Reporter
This week, Armchair Athlete’s focus is the upcoming season for girl’s ice hockey. The girls dominated last year, posting a 24-1 record, going 14-0 in their league, and outscoring their opponents by 97 goals and scoring at least six goals in sixteen of their twenty-five games. To cap off the season, they won both State and FCIAC Championships, each by at least five goals, and made it was clear that they were the team to beat coming into this new season. Now captained all FCIAC first-team members Olivia Hompe, and Madzie Caroll, and seniors Kellianne Hickey and Molly Robustelli, the girls are poised to have yet another fantastic season.
Coach Rich Bulan returns for yet another year of leading this team. Last year was a landmark year for Bulan, as he recorded his 200th victory as well as winning FCIAC Girls Ice Hockey Coach of the Year. Aided by his captains and assistant coach Scott Craig, he looks to lead the team in the same steadfast way that he has for many seasons.
This being said, they do have substantial holes to fill as well, with last year’s graduating senior captains Jana Persky and Carla Paredes. Persky especially, an all FCIAC first-team member and one of the team’s leaders in goals (42) and assists (43), will be missed. This being said, one of the biggest things that will be missed are boths leadership skills, experience, and ability to preform in the clutch. For example, in the State Championship game last year against Ridgefield, Persky scored a hat trick (3 Goals) and Paredes had an assist; all key contributions that helped propel the rams to victory.
Fortunatly, the Rams have most of their other starters and key bench players back from last year’s squad, with six juniors (now seniors) and six sophomores (now juniors) looking to return. This stockpile of experience can only mean that the hockey team is poised to have great depth, with a number of experienced players coming off the bench.
Due to this, look for Juniors Hompe, Carroll, and Bea Eppler to have an increased role in the team’s play. Together last season, the three scored roughly 54% of the team’s goals (78/144) and recorded 56% of the teams assists (104/144). Look for them to score the majority of the team’s goals.
An issue that has come up of late is the injury to last year’s starting goalie Brit Garidella. Garidella, a senior and member of the all FCIAC second team, recently has injured her ankle, and may be out for an extended amount of time. If she is out for any long stretch of time, her production in net will be hard to replace, as her 307 saves and 1.9 goals against average were among the tops in the league. If this is the case, the team looks to Freshman Sarah Clearman to step up and take on the role of starter.
Clearly, the Girls Hockey Team has a lot to be proud of and to look forward to. Their depth, talent, and determination are very promising, and leaves them the favorite to win their third straight FCIAC and CIAC State Titles. Watch for the season opener on December 10th, against Glastonbury at the Darien Ice Rink, where the Girls look to start off their season strong. This games looks to be a good one, as Glastonbury is a new addition to the schedule, and a team that most of the current roster has not faced before.
Stay tuned for next week, where I will clarify to you, the average non-athletic high school fan, the difference between FCIAC and CIAC state titles.
-Armchair Athlete
If you want to try out or learn more about for the Rams Girls Ice Hockey Team, be sure to contact one of the captains, or Ms. Tomaselli in the Athletic office for more information
Hey Jack, I’m Logan, and I did Armchair Athlete last year. Just wanted to say you’re doing a really nice job so far, and I’ll definitely be keeping up with it all year. Great coverage of all the angles. I think you’re right in that losing of their most “clutch” players could have an impact, but I have a feeling Oliva Hompe will continue to improve and start to fill that role in the last few minutes of the game.
thanks, logan. i also agree that olivia hompe is going to be huge this season: lock for first team all-FCIAC at least.
olivia had four goals and three assists in the state championship! she has clutch covered!!