Hallock Goal Starts IceCats' Season with a Win

Through the first three periods, the Brookfield-Bethel-Danbury IceCats and the Sheehan High Titans were almost mirror images of each other at Saturday's game. Each team had scored twice and the IceCats held a 20-19 advantage in shots, but once the overtime began the IceCats took over.

The IceCats outshot the Titans 6-1 in overtime and got the win on Stephen Hallock's power play goal with 3:38 left.

"We just talked about pressure, intensity and getting as many shots on the net in the overtime period," Coach Richard Granacker said. "It doesn't matter how hard the shot is, it's just a shot on net and being at the net for rebounds, and just trying to keep the shots down against ourselves."

With Sheehan's Nick Capozzi in the box for slashing, the IceCats went to work behind the net before Nick Melvin found Hallock wide open in the slot for the game winner.

"We were pressuring at the end there and finally connected a few passes," Granacker said. "We were having trouble in the third connecting our passes and finally we got a hold of one. Anytime you get a scoring like that in front of the net, it's an opportunity you can't waste."

While the IceCats closed the game with a flourish, they were a little off at the beginning of their season opener.

"I think we were a little bit nervous in the first period," Granacker said. "There were a lot of new players in their first varsity game and just basically a new team from last year. They did a good job as the game went on, playing a little bit better."

Steven Segiet, who was credited with an assist on Hallock's goal, opened the scoring late in the first when he knocked in a loose puck with 2:59 left in the period.

"He's probably one of our top offensive players coming into this season," Granacker said. "He's a real talented player, and when he gets opportunities he usually executes on them."

The Titans responded with a goal of their own just 40 seconds into the second period, when Ryan Sabino fired a one timer on a pass from Nick Capozzi for an easy goal.

Each team killed off a pair of penalties before the IceCats once again took the lead with a goal late in the second period.

With just under three minutes left, Justin Sullivan's long outlet pass setup Trevor Kurijaka's shot from the left faceoff circle that beat Sheehan's goaltender Joe Boyle.

"It's something we work on in practice a lot," Granacker said. "Trying to head man the puck to the open man and it paid off."

Once again the Titans responded with a goal of their own, and once again it was Sabino firing a one timer off a pass from Capozzi for another easy goal.

"The game was pretty even, the shots were even throughout the whole game," Granacker said. "We just made mistakes in our own end and it cost us on the scoreboard."

Luiz Dibble made the start in net for the IceCats and finished with 18 saves.

"Luiz played great again," Granacker said. "It's the first game of the season and I expect him to get better as the season goes on. Hopefully he'll give us a long run into the playoffs. As long as you can keep the shots from the outside he's going to stop them, and he's pretty good even on the inside."

The IceCats will play Housatonic-Northwestern at  on Wednesday, Dec. 22 at 5:30 p.m., before heading to Maine for a tournament starting on Dec. 27.