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Hockey Captains
Left to right: Senior captain Austen LeDonne (1 goal); junior alternate captain Guerin Favreau (5 goals) and senior captain Doug Newton (3 assists) all played large roles in Woodstock Academy’s 7-1 win over Northeastern last week. Photo courtesy of The Woodstock Academy.



The second period has been the nemesis for the Woodstock Academy boys’ hockey team.
So much so that in the first five games, the Centaurs had not gone into the third period with the lead this season.
That, fortunately, changed in the only game of the New Year’s week against the Northeastern Shamrocks.
The Centaurs rolled into the third period with a four-goal advantage and posted a 7-1 win at the Bolton Ice Palace.
It brought Woodstock Academy back to the break-even mark of 3-3.
“You evaluate every game, but you kind of compartmentalize and after five games, a quarter of the season, it really wasn’t looking good,” said Centaurs coach Kevin Bisson. “Inconsistent, undisciplined play, just not where we wanted to be when you look at the big picture. Looking at the opponents in those first five games, it was also a nice mix. It wasn’t like we played five No. 1 teams or five at the bottom, it was a good mix. It gave us a full picture of what we looked like and it wasn’t good.”
The second five got off to a much better start with the win over Northeastern (0-3).
The Centaurs made things happen early.
Junior Guerin Favreau scored the first goal of the game, 6:08 into the opening period off an assist from Zack Girard.
Jake Starr followed five minutes later with his fourth goal in the last four games, taking a pass from Doug Newton, the first of his three assists, and putting into the net with 3:44 left in the period.
The good start was made even better by the defense which held Northeastern scoreless in the opening period, something the Centaurs have also had troubles with this season.
“I told the kids, we can say we’ve had good starts, but please don’t think that’s true. In the first game of the season, we scored on our first shift and then, the (Eastern Connecticut) Eagles score on the second shift. That’s not a good start. We scored on the first shift against (Suffield), it didn’t matter much in the end result (a 5-3 loss),” Bisson said.
The good times continued to open the second period when Favreau made it 3-0 just 1 minute, 7 seconds after the break ended when Newton beat the Northeastern defense, pulled the goalie to the post and Favreau set up on the other. Newton got the puck to his linemate for the one-timer into the back of the net.
Northeastern followed just a minute later with a goal of its own, but Favreau reestablished the three-goal lead and netted himself a hat trick with another goal off a Newton assist with 9:11 left in the period.
The Centaurs went up 5-1 when Austen LeDonne, off an assist from Nick Chubbuck, scored his third goal of the season.
Woodstock Academy had more motivation than just a win going into the third period.
The contest was a physical one with Girard getting knocked out of the game in the first period and freshman Mike Burns going down in the second.
“I think the Burns injury was a huge motivator for us. We talk about discipline and composure with this group being a little bit of a problem, which has been clear. We talked between periods about not being out for physical revenge. We’re not trying to send people to the hospital. We are going to go out and play as a team and we will have the end result that we can point to as our response. We did it on the scoreboard,” Bisson said.
The Centaurs finished things off with a pair of Favreau goals, both coming in the final two minutes of the contest.
His five-goal effort put Favreau, who had only one goal in the last two games, back on his two goals per game pace.
The alternate captain of the team now has 12 goals on the season.
“It’s sometimes fair, sometimes not, but we expect him to score. That’s the bottom line. That’s the expectation we have for him. Sometimes, that is a lot of pressure knowing that’s what people are looking for from you. We expect a lot of him in all phases of the game and to see him get the reward for his hard work is great,” Bisson said.
Newton had a game himself.
He added three more assists bringing his total to nine this season.
“The biggest knock on Doug’s game for the last three years has been, ‘the kid doesn’t pass.’ That’s not true. If you look at his stats from last year (13 assists), he passes. He has been looking to make plays and (against Northeastern), he looked to make multiple plays,” Bisson said.
For the Centaurs, it was the first of four straight games on the road.
“That might not be a bad thing considering how we’ve played at home,” Bisson said.
The Centaurs will not return to the Jahn Ice Rink in Pomfret until Jan. 18.
 “I was looking at the calendar and didn’t realize we don’t have a game (this past) Saturday and I was joking with my coaches about what we were going to do with two practices this week and then I said, ‘Hold it, we have four practices before the next game.’ We have to go back to film, really break it down, look at the things we need to improve upon and take that time over the next four practices to really focus in on those,” Bisson said. “It will be fun. It’s kind of crazy to say practice will be fun but we’re going to make the most of it.”
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy

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Joseph R. Lariviere,
Navy veteran
GOOSE CREEK, S.C. — Joseph R. Lariviere, 83, a longtime resident of Goose Creek, died Dec. 29, 2019, in Hodgenville, Ky.
He was born Jan. 8, 1936, to Valmore and Mary Rose (Bernard) Lariviere in Woonsocket, R.I. After growing up in the small town of N. Grosvenordale, he joined the U.S Navy and served for 22 years, retiring as Chief Quartermaster (QMC) in 1976 off the USS Mount Baker. He married his late wife of 58 years, Anna E. (McNeill) Lariviere in 1960 in Brooklyn, N.Y. They raised their four children in South Carolina.
After retiring from the Navy, he supervised at ATO, Inc. and then at Allied Marine Industries as a dock master.  He spent his leisure time making special memories with his family while fishing, shrimping, golfing, hunting, woodworking, and traveling. He took pride in his green thumb and spent hours tending to his plants and garden. Joseph was a man who never met a stranger. He was thoughtful and kind.
He leaves his daughter, Leslie Hutcherson of Hodgenville; granddaughters, Brittany Stone and Chelsea Stone of Bardstown, Ky. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by siblings, Roland Lariviere, Herve Lariviere, Rita Davis and Marcel Lariviere; son, Joseph R. Lariviere Jr., and daughters, Anna Elizabeth Lariviere and Lisa Anne Lariviere.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 4 in St Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial with military honors in St Joseph Cemetery.

Douglas Collins
DANIELSON — Douglas Collins, 74, died Dec. 31, 2019.
Douglas was born Aug. 16, 1945, in West Warwick, R.I., son of the late Thomas and Myrtle (Tourtellotte) Collins.
He leaves his wife of 18 years Glenda (Stamos) Collins; his son Christopher Plante (Keith) of Griswold; four daughters: Karen Rhodes (Michael) of Parish, FL, Kelly Morris of Jewett City, Susan Tarbox of Griswold, Brianna Collins and her companion Joshua Howlett of Bethesda, Md.; two brothers: Thomas Collins of Moosup and Arthur Collins (Irene) of Florida; two sisters: Betty Nadeau (Robert) of Rhode Island, and Ida Durning of Rhode Island; 15 grandchildren; two his great-grandchildren; and one great-grandchild on the way.
A Celebration of Life was Jan. 3 at the Sterling Fire House, with committal at Riverside Cemetery in Sterling. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

Stephen B. Cutting
N. SMITHFIELD, R.I. — Stephen B. Cutting, 55, of St. Paul St., formerly of Brooklyn, died Jan. 2, 2020, at home after a brief illness. Born in 1964 in Worcester, he was the son of the late Donald C. and Marie C. (DeMoras) Cutting. Stephen graduated from Millbury High School and attended Worcester State College.
Mr. Cutting worked as a truck driver for Keebler Co & Kellogg and, most recently, Penske Trucking of Franklin. He was a member of the Elks Club in both Danielson and Woonsocket, R.I. Stephen enjoyed fishing, shooting pool, and was an avid fan of the Boston Bruins, Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots.
He leaves his children, Dr. Marissa Cutting (Sho Grant) of San Antonio, Texas, and Justin Cutting of Schenectady, N.Y.; siblings, Michael Cutting (Andrea) of Webster, James Cutting of Westfield, Mass., and Laurie Cutting Locklear of Ft. Mill, S.C.; nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 8 in Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Laura Gay Krug
DANIELSON – Laura G. Krug, 61, died Dec. 12, 2019.
She was born Sept. 17, 1958 and grew up on a farm in Middletown, raised by her parents, sisters and brothers as she was the youngest of 6, and with the godly inspiration of Paul and Evelyn Olander. Laura loved to laugh and run and dance and play. Though her body was broken with disease late in life, her spirit was always childlike. She sought to see the good in others. She was soft, generous and kind. She expected her children to be kind, polite and thankful.
Laura’s love for God’s creation, indeed, made her a blessing. She entertained such pure joy at the New England winters and every season. She deeply cared for her pets, often house cats. She loved all creatures. She loved the beauty of flowers and plants and trees. She loved to cook for others. Laura loved stained-glass windows. She enjoyed playing cards and Scrabble and other games. She was crafty. She was a waitress and a caregiver and took great joy in holidays, celebrations, birthdays; and loved giving the best gifts to her children. She loved Christmastime most of all and family. She cared deeply for her own family and for her mother late in life.
She leaves two children, Erin Rhault and Joshua Krug; two grandchildren, Evan and Drew Rhault; two of her remaining five siblings, Lenard Cannon and Cathy Carlson.
There will be an informal service at noon Jan. 15 at the Friends of Assisi Food Pantry on Water Street. Anyone who knew her is welcome. Burial will be in the spring. Donations: St. Jude Hospital or Catholic Charities. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson, directed arrangements.

Charles Stoddard Jr.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Charles Eldredge Stoddard, Jr., 84, died unexpectedly Jan. 4, 2020. Charles was a native of Putnam and current resident of Asheville, N.C., for more than 15 years. He was born in 1935, a son of the late Edith Elizabeth and Charles Eldredge Stoddard Sr.
He was a graduate of Putnam High School and a proud alumnus of UConn, continuing to watch women’s basketball games and frequenting the UConn Dairy Bar for chocolate milkshakes. He saved middle and high school graduation programs and Christmas and birthday cards from his siblings, grandchildren and friends. Traveling to Germany was his passion which resulted in his being fluent in German. German, Latin, and most recently French were some of the many languages he learned while attending UNCA.
He was a master bridge player, avid golfer, lover of horticulture – especially beech trees – charitable giver, Central Connecticut librarian, mentor and lifelong learner. He enjoyed eating hot dogs and beans with vinegar and ketchup, stewed tomato casserole with lots of cheddar cheese, mushroom soup, Rum Raisin ice cream and anything sweet. Charles would never pass up an opportunity to visit a Dairy Queen, park, or a Spades card game. Charles had a passion for life, was a free spirit, and had a terrible habit of never showing up on time.
He leaves his daughter, Susan Johnson (Bradley); son, David Stoddard (Cindy); sisters, Helen Stoddard Smith, Carolyn Crafts (Bryan); brother, Joseph P. Stoddard (Cecile); grandchildren, Sarah, Adam, Lauren and Danielle; great-grandchildren, Logan and Addison; and former daughter-in-law, Cheryl Stoddard.
Visitation is from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 11 in Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam. A graveside service will be held at Abington Cemetery in the spring. Donations: Asheville Bridge Club, Attn: Paul Beebe, Room 800 Fairview Rd. #C1, Asheville, NC 28803.

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EASTFORD — Every year, Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his burrow to predict the weather. However, due to Punxsutawney Phil’s inaccuracy, Scramble the Duck predicts the weather in Eastford, boasting perfect accuracy.
Emerging from a model of the Ivy Glenn Memorial, Scramble waddles down the red carpet and looks for his shadow to predict the weather. The legend goes that if Scramble sees his shadow, more winter is upon New England. If there’s no shadow, spring will come early.
Scramble was the only duckling that hatched and was quite lonely. Scramble adopted his handlers, Micah, Isaac, and Benjamin Torcellini, as his friends.
Scramble then received an education at Stormy Heights Academy, making him a superior prognosticator. This will be Scramble’s sixth year predicting the weather; Scramble boasts a 100 percent accuracy rate—much better than Punxsutawney Phil’s 39 percent.
Duck Day is free and open to the public. The event is at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 2 at the Ivy Glenn Memorial on Rt. 198. scrambletheduck.org.
By Isaac Torcellini

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