WEST HAVEN — Fairfield Prep coach Matt Sather had an inkling the Southern Connecticut Conference/South West Conference championship game against Notre Dame-West Haven would be a lot closer than the 13-goal difference the Jesuits won by in a pair of victories over the Green Knights this year.
Sather was right. Having practiced a shootout scenario on Thursday for 15 minutes, the added work paid off.
Scoring three times in the shootout and not allowing a Notre Dame tally, Fairfield Prep won the shootout 3-0 and the game 3-2 in the SCC/SWC Division I title game at the Edward L. Bennett Rink in West Haven Friday evening.
Fairfield Prep defeated NDWH 3-2 (3-0 in shootout) to win the D1 SCC/SWC title #cthk pic.twitter.com/LSDe8ugUmQ
— Pete Paguaga (@PetePaguaga) March 7, 2020
The Jesuits (13-6-2) won their second SCC/SWC title in their third straight appearance to the title game. Notre Dame fell in its return trip to the title game, where the Green Knights fell to the Jesuits in 2018.
“This was a very exciting game,” Sather said. “Notre Dame played great. Obviously the two goaltenders were great, especially Connor Smith. He was the player of the game in my book. We had 40 shots. He was impressive.”
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Smith finished the contest with 38 saves for Notre Dame, while Andrew Stietzel finished with 22 saves for the Jesuits.
With the game even at one, the Jesuits needed just 36 seconds of the third period to take a 2-1 lead when Luke Noonan blasted a point shot to the top corner for a power play goal off an assist from Aksel Sather.
Prep’s Luke Noonan with PP goal and it’s Prep 2, NDWH 1 #cthk early in third pic.twitter.com/XBxiqmIzS8
— Pete Paguaga (@PetePaguaga) March 7, 2020
The Green Knights (14-7) needed 3:02 to even the game at two. Robbie Goetze fired the initial shot which was stopped by Stietzel, but Sean Doherty banged in the rebound for the equalizer.
“Obviously, we made a lot of systematic adjustments which fit our personnel,” Notre Dame coach Larry Vieira said. “The most important thing was we got back to our formula which helped us to a 7-0 start. I am very pleased with our compete level and our discipline. I am very happy with our overall play.”
With the game even at two, the contest went to a shootout where Stietzel was not to be beat. Notre Dame had three attempts which were all turned aside by the Prep goaltender.
The Jesuits converted on their first two attempts as Cooper Eckert and Jack Esse scored for a 2-0 lead. After Stietzel made his third save, Tiernan Curley converted to seal Fairfield Prep’s title.
“It was a real close game,” Curley said. “I was called on for the shootout. My plan was to come in and go low blocker. Connor Smith played really well. I saw the five-hole open up and I was able to slide it in there.”
The first period saw Fairfield Prep dominate in shots and the majority of the action, but the game was even at one after each team scored on the man-advantage.
After being outscored 14-1 in two losses to the Jesuits earlier this season, the Green Knights struck first while on a two-man advantage. With Robert Allan parked in front, Grant Curtis watched as his point shot was tipped in by Allan for a 1-0 lead with 6:40 left in the first as Goetze also picked up an assist.
Prep’s Mason Whitney ties it up with a PP goal with 1:50 left in the first #cthk pic.twitter.com/EuHatqAlb5
— Pete Paguaga (@PetePaguaga) March 6, 2020
Despite the constant pressure, Fairfield Prep looked as if it would go to the intermission down a goal, but a late penalty by the Green Knights sent the Jesuits to the power play.
Fairfield Prep cycled the puck and a perfect feed by Noonan was one-timed home by Mason Whitney with 1:57 left in the opening period. Seamus Carolan also picked up an assist on the equalizer.
Both Smith and Stietzel were sharp in the middle period with Prep holding a 15-5 shot advantage. Smith turned aside all 15 shots, with his best coming when he denied Eckert in the slot with 9:42 remaining, and Kyle Colucci down the left wing with a glove save with 4:49 left in the period.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Andrew Stietzel. Senior goaltender made 22 saves for the Jesuits, then stopped all three Notre Dame shots in the shootout.
QUOTABLE
“We have to learn how to win. This is a great tournament to be in. Today, we won against a very good team. It is a great experience for the kids.” — Fairfield Prep coach Matt Sather
