caption:
The Woodstock Academy boys’ hockey team lines up along the goal line prior to the start of their quarterfinal game. Photo by Woodstock Academy.
Centaurs advance to Div. II state semifinal
The march through March continued for the Woodstock Academy boys’ hockey team this past week.
On Friday, the second-seeded Centaurs advanced one step further than a year ago in CIAC Div. II state tournament play as they knocked off No. 7 Westhill/Stamford, 6-2.
“You go through each year hoping to improve on what you did in the previous year and we definitely did that in that regular season,” said coach Mark Smolak. “Now, we got over the hump and exorcised the demons of losing in that rink (Koeppel) and moved on to round three. It’s exciting. We are on a 15-game winning streak, we have two more to go, and we just really need to take care of business and end this on a positive note.”
The Centaurs lost to Lyman Hall a year ago in overtime on the Trinity College ice in a quarterfinal game.
Trinity College will now be a memory as the Centaurs (22-1) will have to travel a bit further for the semifinal contest. The contest with the sixth-seeded Branford Hornets was postponed due to storm that buffeted the region early this week.
Woodstock posted an 11-1 win over Branford on Dec. 17 in the second game of the season for both programs.
Branford also defeated top-seeded North Haven, the only team that has beaten Woodstock this season, 3-2, on Feb. 1.
The win over Westhill/Stamford didn’t follow the normal path that recent games for the Centaurs have.
Instead of a slow start in the first period, Woodstock jumped on the Vikings for three first-period goals.
Senior captain Jacob Jurnovoy was the first to find the net as he took a pass from Max Larkin, who finished with a pair of assists, and beat Westhill/Stamford goalie Nate Margerum just 3 minutes, 29 seconds into the contest.
Junior Donnie Sousa put an unassisted tally in and he followed that up with 2:49 left in the period with his 27th goal of the season off an assist from Maxx Corradi.
Kevin Unger got one past Woodstock goalie Dante Sousa just 46 seconds into the second period and Owen Van Dusen followed just 2:15 later and just like that, it was a game again.
The Centaurs had been hemmed in for much of the second period but Jurnovoy was able to break out and restored a two-goal lead for his teammates when he scored with 3:19 left in the second period with help from Larkin and Jayden Fuller.
Still, Smolak was on pins and needles. “It didn’t matter what the score was. (Westhill/Stamford) was good and scored two goals in three minutes and if we had sat back at all, they could be right back in it. There was not a moment in that game after they scored that second goal where I felt comfortable,” he said.
But he did have Dante Sousa in goal who squashed quite a few chances by the Vikings.
Corradi did put the finishing touches on the win as he scored his 39th and 40th goals of the season in the third period to make sure the Centaurs advanced to the final four in Div. II.
The Centaurs opened the state tournament by posting their sixth shutout of the season, a 5-0 win over No. 15 Glastonbury in a first-round game last week, which enabled them to advance to the quarterfinal.
“I’m stoked,” sophomore Maxx Corradi said about a return trip to the quarters after the first-round win. “
It looked like it was going to be easy for the Centaurs early against the Guardians.
Freshman Jack Larkin got the first goal just 2 minutes, 38 seconds into the game when he knuckled one in from the point that bounced at just the right time and hopped over Glastonbury goalie Patrick Sullivan’s glove for Larkin’s third goal of the season.
The Centaurs, instead, let Glastonbury dictate the play a bit and that led to a very physical first period where Woodstock was hit with a pair of penalties.
Dante Sousa and the defense was up to the task. The sophomore made 27 saves and made the one-goal lead stand up for 22 minutes.
Jack Larkin, Ian Sherman, Sam Desmond, Ryan Wallace and Sam Lescault shined in front of Sousa.
It looked as if the Centaurs had taken a 2-0 lead in the second period when Fuller put the puck in the back of the net just 1:26 into the period.
But an unintentional goalie interference call against the Centaurs disallowed the goal.
Corradi made a nice spin move on the blue line, turned, and put the puck in the back of the net.
The sophomore’s second goal of the game was just as nice and it came with the Centaurs shorthanded with 1:27 left in the second period.
Smolak is not surprised by Corradi’s production this season.
The Centaurs finished things up in the third period as Noah Sampson scored with 12:05 left to play off the third assist from Donnie Sousa in the game.
Sampson then paid back the favor with an assist on a Donnie Sousa goal with 8:24 left to account for the final.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
WINDHAM — Sr. Claudette Huot, DHS (89), a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died March 7, 2023, at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham.
Born Marie Pauline Claudette Huot Jan. 3, 1934, in Waterbury, she was the only child of Roger and Hélène (Vaillancourt) Huot. She entered religious life at Holy Spirit Provincial House in September, 1951, in Putnam and made her religious profession on Aug. 18, 1953, there. She was then known as Sr. Hélène Roger.
She held a bachelor’s in education from Diocesan Sisters’ College in Putnam and a master’s in business education from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. In 1956 Sr. Claudette was one of 7 sisters who opened St. Bernard High School for girls in New London within the newly formed Diocese of Norwich. In 1966 she was assigned to Holy Ghost Academy in Tupper Lake, N.Y., a small co-ed high school. When that school closed its doors in June of 1967 She returned to St. Bernard’s, which was then co-ed. Sr. Claudette served there until 1976 at which time she took a nursing course in Waterbury and went to work at St. Mary Hospital as a dialysis nurse for the next eight years. In 1985 she went to work as a staff nurse at Roncalli Woodland Rest Home until 1998 when she then became a staff nurse in doctors’ offices at Family Care under the umbrella of Waterbury Hospital. In 2002 Sr. Claudette was appointed Provincial Secretary and served in that capacity until 2018. She joined the community at St. Joseph Living Center in 2020.
She leaves the Daughters of the Holy Spirit spiritual family – her Sisters in community, the Consecrated Seculars and the Associates; cousins in Virginia and Connecticut as well as in Canada. The Mass of Christian Burial was March 11 in St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam. Donations: DHS Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 497, Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
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New Roof
The Bandstand in Rotary Park, Putnam, has its new metal roof in place. Edging will finish the project. When warmer weather comes, the Bandstand will get a new coat of paint, same color. In addition, a fence/screening project is slated for the Port-a-Johns on the entrance side of the park. Linda Lemmon photo.
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Wed. March 15
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library’s Art at the Library and Display Case series will present “Focus on Thompson: A Photography Exhibit” through March. www.thompsonpubliclibrary.org.
Art Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society of Pomfret at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road will present “Trail Wood Reflections,” an Edwin Way Teale Artists & Writers In-Residence 10th Anniversary Exhibition through March 18. 860-928-4948.
Thur. March 16
Grief Support Group
PUTNAM --- Grief Share will hold a Christ-centered 13-week seminar and support group Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. through June 8, at the Living Faith United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall on Grove Street. RSVP: 860-928-9705. $20 registration fee.
Fri. March 17
‘SpongeBob’
PUTNAM --- The Complex Performing and Creative Arts Centre and the Bradley Playhouse will present “Nickelodeon The SpongeBob Musical” at 7:30 p.m. March 17 and 18 and at 2 p.m. March 19. Adults $26; students/seniors $23; first responders, military, $23. www.thebradleyplayhouse.org.
Sat. March 18
Comedy Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Elks Lodge 574 is hosting a Scott Higgins All Star Comedy Show. For tickets or info: 860-457-8446.
Irish Dancing
PUTNAM --- For St. Patrick’s Day an Irish Dance Performance, will be held from 12:15 to 1 p.m. in the Municipal Complex Community Room.
Fri. March 24
Community Meal
PUTNAM --- The Living Faith United Methodist Church Community Meal will be held downstairs at the church on Grove Street. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the meal is at noon. in-house dining offered and takeout available.
Sun. March 26
Poetry
WEBSTER --- Poets at Large continues its 2023 series of spoken word/poetry readings from 2 to 4 p.m. at The Rose Room Café on East Main. Free. (ages 14 and up). Featured: poet laureate B. Fulton Jennes and author G. John Brand. Intermission and an open mic after the featured poets. For open mic: email
Fri. March 31
Community Meal
PUTNAM --- The Living Faith United Methodist Church Community Meal will be held downstairs at the church on Grove Street. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the meal is at noon. In-house dining offered and takeout available.
Sat. April 1
Easter Egg Hunt
WOODSTOCK --- 30th Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held at 1 p.m. at Roseland Cottage. Open to all. Rain date April 8. Bring a nonperishable food item for the local food bank. Also, the Peeps Diorama Contest will be held for grades pre-K through Grade 4. Include name and grade on your entry.
Country Antiques
DANIELSON --- The Ellis Tech Parent Faculty Organization will present the 29th Country Antiques from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at HH Ellis Technical High School on Upper Maple Street. $10. Early buyers admitted at 9 a.m. for $20. 60-plus dealers from New England and beyond. www.countryantiquesshow.com
Tues. April 4
Art Show
THOMPSON --- The 19th Annual Thompson CT Community Art Show, Resilient by Nature, will open at the Thompson Public Library and run through April 29. To register to take part, go to: www.thompsonrec.org. An opening reception will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 4.
Sat. April 15
Clothing Giveaway
PUTNAM--- IHSP-NU 2 U Clothing Closet will hold a clothing giveaway from 9 a.m. to noon in the Fellowship Hall of the Living Faith United Methodist Church. Free clothing, all ages, winter and summer. Bring your own bags. All welcome. Not accepting clothing donations at this event.
Sat. April 22
Scamper
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Camper Scamper 5K Race/Walk and 1 Mile Kid Run kids race will start at 9:30, the adults at 10 a.m., and then the walkers, Must preregister: www.4hcampct.org Professionally timed by Last Mile Race Management. Register by March 31 to receive discount and free T-shirt.
Sat. April 29
Beautification Day
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association will hold its annual Beautification Day at Rotary Park. Gather at 8:30 a.m. to receive cleaning assignments. 11 to noon for volunteer appreciation lunch at the park. For info on volunteering or to RSVP: 860-963-6800, ext. 200. Trophies awarded. Rain date: May 6. Funded in part by The Last Green Valley and the Town of Putnam.
Fund-raiser Concert
POMFRET --- Minnesota folk singer, Peter Mayer, returns at 7 p.m. to The Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret, 218 Day Road. $25 for CAS members; $30 for non-members. Registration is required as seating is limited: ctaudubon.org/pomfret-programs or call 860-928-4948.
Sat. May 6
Maker Fair
THOMPSON --- The Thompson Maker Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Riverside Park.
BBQ
WOODSTOCK --- The Bungay Fire Brigade will host its spring 2023 Chicken BBQ from 4 to 6 p.m. www.bungay.com.
Sat. June 17
Art Festival
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Arts Council (PAC) will be hosting the Putnam Fine Arts and Crafts Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 17 and June 18 at the Municipal Complex. It includes all the arts plus live music. Rain or shine. Free.
Sun.. July 9
Touch-A-Truck
WOODSTOCK --- The Bungay Fire Brigade will host Touch-A-Truck from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Roseland Park.
Sat. Sept. 30
BBQ
WOODSTOCK --- The Bungay Fire Brigade will host its fall 2023 Chicken BBQ from 4 to 6 p.m. www.bungay.com.
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