caption, page 2:


Solid Season
Junior Doug Newton (4) led the Woodstock Academy boys’ ice hockey team in scoring with 29 points this season. Sophomore Guerin Favreau had a solid regular season for the Centaurs, finishing with eight goals and six assists. Photos by The Woodstock Academy


Coach
happy with
winning year
The first regular season for Woodstock Academy boys’ ice hockey coach Kevin Bisson is in the books.
The Centaurs finished with a 12-5-2 overall mark and a 7-2-1 record in the Nutmeg Conference after a 1-1 tie with the Housatonic cooperative program Feb. 18 in Litchfield.
“Overall, pretty happy, when you consider what the record was last year (8-13) and what we were able to accomplish this year,” Bisson said. “There was a slight disappointment, in some respect, because I feel our record could have been that much better and our standings going into the state playoffs could have been that much better as well. But when you’re looking at coming in, taking over a new group and you’re a new voice, a new face, and trying to do some things that they might have not been asked in the past – I feel pretty happy.”
Bisson said it would be hard to pinpoint a facet of the game that he would have liked to see come together better.
Overall, he considered it a learning experience, both for his Centaurs and the opponents alike.
“You look internally and ask ‘What could we have done better?’ You look at the opponents and know that they are also learning about you and how you do things. In that respect, what can we do to make adjustments to alter their game plan against us from what they have seen us do in the past?” Bisson said.
Junior Doug Newton led the team in scoring more than the 19 games. The junior finished with 16 goals and 13 assists for 29 points.
Senior Matthew Odom led the team in goals with 19 and finished second in points with 27.
Junior Austen LeDonne (9 goals, 6 assists) finished with 15 points and sophomore Guerin Favreau (8 goals, 6 assists) added 14.
The Centaurs finished up the season on a tough note.
They had to travel to the other side of the state to play the Mountaineers and didn’t have the easiest time getting there.
The coach bus they were traveling in broke down, and the team did not arrive at the Hotchkiss School rink until just 25 minutes before game time on Presidents’ Day afternoon.
Once on the ice, the Centaurs ran into a hot goalie in John Purdy.
“We’re either running into (a hot goalie) lately or we have to do something different on our end,” Bisson said. “We keep producing the shots and chances, but not the finish.”
The two teams played through a scoreless first period before the Mountaineers, comprised of players from Housatonic Regional, Northwestern Regional, Wamogo Regional and Torrington got on the board with 10:33 left in the second period.
Luke Mollica took a pass from senior Jack McAuliffe to put the Moutaineers (4-11-2) up 1-0.
The Centaurs countered with what Bisson described as a “team-effort goal.”
With 4:12 remaining in the second period, Favreau prevented Housatonic from clearing its zone by knocking down the puck handler. Newton swept in and took the loose puck, sucking the defender his way and then he flicked it a short two-feet away to freshman Kyle Brennan who scored for the seventh time this season.
“All three factored in and impacted the play and those are the types of goals that, as a coach, you love to watch because you can really see them all connect, work together and get a good end result,” Bisson said.
There were plenty more opportunities for the Centaurs. Bisson said Woodstock Academy was all over Purdy to the point where the Centaurs didn’t allow a shot on goal in the third period.
“We need a little more finish around the net because we definitely had our chances. The puck was there for us. We just didn’t quite put it home,” Bisson said.
No one found a way to score in the third period or the eight-minute overtime period that followed.
The good news for the Centaurs, they got the rest of the week off.
“At this point, it’s extremely important. It’s been a long season with the way the games wound up setting up between the varsity and the JV,” Bisson said. “We’re going to look forward to a couple of days off. These kids have been going on a six-day stretch of games. That’s a lot.”
The Centaurs, who earned the second seed in the conference, played Feb. 26 (too late for this edition) in a Nutmeg Conference semifinal against No. 3 Tri-Town.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
The Woodstock Academy

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caption, page 7:


Gymnasts
take Class S
crown - again
The Woodstock Academy Centaurs gymnastics team kept its impressive state title streak going when it captured the Class S state championship at Jonathan Law High School in Milford Feb. 23.
The Centaurs easily defeated runners-up, Stonington, 143.5 - 130.675. Daniel Hand High School of Madison was third at 129.825.
It was the seventh consecutive Class S state championship for the Centaurs and ninth overall for the program which started its state title runs with a pair of Class M state championships.
“It’s so special,” said senior Lydia Taft. We feel the pressure to do it, but we enjoy keeping the tradition going.”
Woodstock Academy lived up to its billing. It was heavily favored going into the competition. The Centaurs were seeded 10 points better than the Bears.
“We don’t really look at the numbers, we just want to go in and do our best. We know things can happen,” Taft said.
The Centaurs won all four events, scoring a 37.4 in the vault; a 35.7 on the floor; 35.5 on the bars and 34.9 on the beam.
It was the vault, their first routine of the competition, that had Woodstock Academy coach Kasey Tocchio’s charges a little uptight.
“We struggled mentally with the vault last year and the girls were a little nervous going into it,” Tocchio said. “The hard landing was a little different than what they are used to at their home gym so it gets in their head a little bit.”
The Centaurs had little to worry about.
“They were so amazing. It was the best turnout we’ve done in a while on vault,” Tocchio said.
Taft led the way with a 9.45 but it was Emily Arters with a 9.2 that impressed Tocchio.
“Her vault only comes out of a (possible) 9.4. She did an awesome job,” Tocchio said.
The state class championships do not include an individual titlist; it is a team-only event.
Taft was also best in the beam (9.2) and floor (9.3) for the team while fellow senior Ali Crescimanno was best in bars at 9.6.
“Lydia really rocked it in all four events,” Tocchio said. “Ali is dealing with an injury and we’re trying to keep her healthy right now. Abby (Vaida) and Maddie (Grube) are really bringing it together for the team. Carla (Simal) did floor and that was really exciting to see her out there.”
The Centaurs were hoping to put together a better performance than what they had at the Eastern Connecticut Conference championship.
Tocchio said, in some ways, they accomplished that.
“We still struggled a little on beam. We still are trying to nurse some injuries and some end-of-season things. I feel like (this) weekend and the weekend after, we can kind of pull it all together,” Tocchio said.
The Centaurs do have something to shoot for this weekend.
Greenwich defeated Woodstock Academy in last year’s State Open championship and the Centaurs would like that title back when they compete at New Milford High School March 2.
“We’re looking forward to it,” Taft said. “It’s a huge goal especially after last year when we had the streak going (six in a row) and we came in second. It was fine, but we’re really looking forward to going back and winning again.”
The Centaurs will have the target on their backs at the Open.
Woodstock Academy is seeded almost six points better than Greenwich (137.95), the Class LL state champ.
The Centaurs will compete in the New England championship the following weekend.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
The Woodstock Academy

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Tues. Feb. 19
Readings
DANIELSON --- Quinebaug Valley Community College will present “Waiting for Yoko Ono: The Connecticut Student Poets 2019” at 6:30 at the SPIROL Art Gallery.

Wed. Feb. 20
Entrepreneurship Workshop
POMFRET  --- The Pomfret Public Library will present “GO: Find small business support and educational resources, including SBA District Office, SCORE, SBDC, Center for Women & Enterprise, and Veteran’s Centers” at 2 p.m. at the library. Sponsored by U.S. Small Business Administration and Pomfret Public Library. Register at: pomfretlibrary.org.

Exhibit
N. GROSVENORDALE ---  The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present Art @ the Library, “Portrait of an Artist” by Steve Veilleux through March 28. Opening reception from 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 7. www.thompsonpubliclibrary.org

Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road will present “Trail Wood Reflections: Writer & Artist In-Residence Exhibit” through Feb. 24. Free. 860-928-4948.

Textile Exhibit
WILLIMANTIC --- The remarkable life of Sidonia Perlstein, Holocaust survivor and clothing designer, will be on display through April 28 at the Windham Textile and History Museum. "Sidonia's Thread: Crafting a Life from Holocaust to High Fashion" will showcase up to 50 garments created by Perlstein during her years in America. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. $7 for general admission; $5 for students and seniors (62+); free for museum members and kids under 5 years old, and Eastern students. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Thur. Feb. 21
‘Chicago’
POMFRET --- The Pomfret School Theater will present “Chicago” at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 and Feb. 22 in the Hard Auditorium. Free. Open to the public.

Climate Panel
UNION --- The Yale Quiet Corner Initiative will present a panel on the science of climate change at the Union Town Hall. It starts at 6:30 with light refreshments, followed by a talk from each speaker --- three faculty members at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Please RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Lincoln Visits
N. GROSVENORDALE --- Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory will present an open house to highlight the recent renovations at Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St. from 3 to 7 p.m. “President Abraham Lincoln” will be greeting guests and answering questions and a replica of the casket Lincoln was buried in will be on display. This is part of a year-long 100 year anniversary celebration.

Fri. Feb. 22
‘The Last Romance’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse will present “The Last Romance” through March 3. www.thebradleyplayhouse.org.

Sat. Feb. 23
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present Nature Tracking Hike from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Willington.  $50 for CAS members; $60 nonmembers. Register at:  860-928-4948.

Meal/Play
POMFRET --- Pomfret School will present its Annual Empty Bowls Supper fund-raiser from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Main House, Dining Hall. $5 entrance fee, bowls $5-$15. Cash only. Benefits local food pantries. At 7 p.m. the Pomfret School Theater will present “Chicago” in the Hard Auditorium. Free. Open to the public.

Wee  Wander
POMFRET --- A Wee Wander with Wyndham Land Trust-Nature Loving will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Lyon Preserve at the end of Wrights Crossing Rd, just off Route 101. Snacks and fresh air are free.

Putnam Lions
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Lions is looking for new members and invites you to learn more about the Lions and what they do from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at The Crossings Restaurant. Free refreshments.

Sun. Feb. 24
Wedding Expo
THOMPSON --- The WINY Wedding Expo will be presented from noon to 3 p.m. at the Raceway Golf Club and Restaurant. Free but you must register to attend by calling 860-928-1350.

Healing Service
BROOKLYN --- A Christian Healing Service, formerly held at St. Philip’s Church in Putnam, will be held at 2 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church on Rt. 6. 860-774-9352. All welcome.

Mon. Feb. 25
Exercise Group
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Senior Exercise Group will meet from 9 to 10 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday in the Woodstock Town Hall large meeting room on the lower. Minimum fee. Local seniors welcome. Please check the town website www.woodstockCT.gov for current schedule or call 860-928-6595.

Presentation
DANIELSON --- Quinebaug Valley Community College will present “Celebrate Black History Month: Dr. Stacey Close:  Southern Migration and the Transformation of African American Connecticut, 1915-70” at 3:30 p.m. at Windham Technical High School.

Thur. Feb. 28
Trivia Fund-raiser
PUTNAM ---The Putnam Lions Club will present Trivia Challenge at 7 p.m. at the Crossings Restaurant. Benefits the Young Antlers.

Sat. March 2
Tag Sale
KILLINGLY --- A tag sale will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. rain or shine at the Killingly Public Library. Benefits PAWS Cat Shelter. 860-315-1228.

Day of Prayer
KILLINGLY --- The Killingly-Brooklyn Interfaith Council will present its World Day of Prayer, highlighting Slovenia's history and cultural diversity; at noon at the United Methodist Church of Danielson; Slovenian luncheon at noon; program to follow. All welcome.

Sun. March 3
Concert
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present a concert featuring Take Note at 3 p.m. at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. Benefits the center’s Education Endowment Fund. Free.

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