Logan Phillips
Senior Editor
On March 5, the girls hockey team beat the Ridgefield Tigers in a 7-2 rout to win their fifth state championship in six years. In a year where the Rams went 23-1 and won the FCIAC championship, the State Championship was the cherry on top of what has been one of the most impressive seasons in the team’s illustrious history.
Olivia Hompe, who has set the league ablaze by breaking the single season record for most points and goals in a season in only her sophomore year, led the team with four goals. This included a spectacular play in the third period when she brought the puck into the offensive zone, dodged two defenders, tripped and still managed to bury a shot by the Ridgfield goalie. However, perhaps the most notable performance came from senior captain Jana Persky, who scored 3 goals in the last game of her high school career. “It’s definitely the best way to end my career,” Jana said. “I wouldn’t want to end it any other way. I love this team and it’s awesome to go out on top, but it’s definitely sad to know that I won’t wear this jersey again.”
Jana has accumulated the second most career points in Connecticut history, but according to Coach Rich Bulan, Jana’s most valuable contribution to the team is her leadership. “Well it’s funny because she came in as a freshman with a state championship, and she goes out with one,” Bulan said. “It’s tremendous; it speaks volumes of the type of leader and player she’s been. I couldn’t be happier for her, believe me. I’ve coached for 30 years, I’ve been here 10 years, she’s probably one of the best leaders I’ve ever had without a doubt. Boy you can’t replace that.”
Despite the fact that the game would evolve into a blowout, the first period of the game shaped up into a highly contested match. Ridgefield held the lead twice, and the score was tied 2-2 entering the second period, where both of the Rams’ goals came from Jana Persky. That’s when the Rams broke through, dominating on both the offensive and defensive side to obtain an 6-2 lead at the end of two periods after three straight goals by Olivia Hompe and another by Jana Persky. They finished the game with a strong defensive effort and Hompe added a goal to win the game 7-2.
[flv]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKyzB-pbDHE[/flv]Footage by Kelsey Rowley
Edited by Logan Phillips
