Timek’s trick propels Sheehan Hockey past Branford
By Ryan Phelan
Meriden Record-Journal
March 5, 2008
Tyler Timek, Brendan Kane, Nick Capozzi & Bryan Sidwell celebrate a Sheehan goal versus Branford on 3/4/2008.
WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT - The third-ranked Sheehan ice hockey team started their drive to the CIAC Division II state finals in convincing fashion Tuesday night, defeating No. 14 Branford 6 1 in an offensive onslaught at Choate Rosemary Hall’s Remsen Arena. Senior forward Tyler Timek scored the first, third and fourth goals of the game to pick up a hat trick, collecting one unassisted score and twice getting excellent feed passes that placed him right in front of the net.
Timek’s first score came in the first period when he intercepted a weak pass from the defense and had a straight skate to the goal, flicking the puck over goalkeeper Brett Richitelli’s glove-side shoulder.
The second Sheehan goal came from Vinny Nguyen, who took a pass from Mike Busillo behind the net and faked the goalie into defending the wrong side of the net, cutting back for a near post wrap-around.
“This was something we needed to put together just for this team,” said Sheehan coach Ralph Shaw, whose Titans snapped a three-game losing streak. “Making it one more step towards the finals. The goal was to maintain a lot of pressure (on Branford).”
Timek scored twice in the second period, assisted first by Nguyen and then by Brendan Kane and Busillo. Timek reversed his scoring role with Kane in the third period, as Kane pushed in two more Titans goals off assists by Timek.
“Tyler Timek and Brendan Kane work so well together,” Shaw said. “They generate a lot of offense for us and that’s what we ask of them.”
With just 2:04 left in regulation, the staunch Sheehan defense finally was caught off guard and too high on the ice, allowing Branford’s Andrew Luzzi to squeak one into the net, ruining the shutout for Titans goalie Cameron Sidwell, who was otherwise a wall for Sheehan.
“We played well as a team,” said Sidwell, who tallied 20 saves against the Hornets. “We didn’t have too many breakdowns on defense. We just got quality scoring chances and we capitalized.”
The Hornets ended their season at 8-13 overall. The 16-6 Titans roll on to the second round where they will face No. 6 North Branford, a 2-1 winner over Suffield-Granby-Windsor locks on Tuesday, in Friday’s quarterfinals.
Sheehan ousts Branford
By John Steady
Branford Review
March 5, 2008
WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT - The Branford hockey team lost to Sheehan-Wallingford, 6-1, in the first round of the CIAC Division II hockey tournament last Tuesday night at Choate. Branford finished with an 8-14 overall record on the season.
"We were beat by a better team," Branford coach Larry Vieira said. "Tyler Timek is one of the best players in the area and he can score against any goalie in the state. We gave a good effort, but they were too experienced."
Timek, who had recorded 21 goals and 33 assists in 21 games, had a hat trick for Sheehan in the game. Sheehan defeated North Branford, 6-5 in overtime (see related story) in the quarter-finals and will play Fairfield in the semi-finals on Tuesday (after press time). Amity is still alive in the other semi-final, leaving the possibility of an all Southern Connecticut Conference Championship game.
One of the goals the Hornets had against Sheehan was to keep the game close after the first period.
"The last three times we have played them; they blitzed us in the first period," Vieira said. "We did some different things in the first period and double shifted some players to try and keep the score close."
Branford only trailed 1-0 after the first period, but Sheehan added three goals in the second period to take a commanding 4-0 lead. The Titans added two more goals in the third period.
Andrew Luzzi scored Branford's only goal with two minutes remaining in the third period on assists from Mike Valentino and Mike Platt.
It was the last game for five seniors. Miles Kristchshun, Mike Valentino, Justin Hucul, Anthony Cozzolino and Joe Carangelo all played their final game for the Hornets.
"I really want to thank the seniors for laying a good foundation for the future," Vieira said. "We were very young this year and they provided a positive example for the younger players on and off the ice. Hopefully their leadership and positive attitude will help elevate us next year."
Luzzi led the team in scoring, finishing with 16 goals and 19 assists during the season. Luka Bagi (14 goals, nine assists) and Matt Kuhn (12 goals, 10 assists) rounded out the top three scorers for Branford.