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Boys Hockey

Smith, No. 2 ND-West Haven kill off early penalty, shut out No. 10 ND-Fairfield

Michael Fornabaio | January 24, 2020

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Notre Dame of West Haven's Ryan Cannon (11), right, attempts to score against Notre Dame of Fairfield during Connecticut Ice Tournament action at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.
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Notre Dame of West Haven's Ryan Cannon (11), right, attempts to score against Notre Dame of Fairfield during Connecticut Ice Tournament action at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Notre Dame of Fairfield's Mike Ceneri (17) is treated after being hit by Notre Dame of West Haven's John D'Errico during Connecticut Ice Tournament action at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020. D'Errico was ejected from the game.
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Notre Dame of Fairfield's Mike Ceneri (17) is treated after being hit by Notre Dame of West Haven's John D'Errico during Connecticut Ice Tournament action at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020. D'Errico was ejected from the game.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Notre Dame of West Haven's Sean Doherty (6), center, gets squeezed between Notre Dame of Fairfield's Dan Finizio (6) and Kevin Barrett (18), right, during Connecticut Ice Tournament action at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.
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Notre Dame of West Haven's Sean Doherty (6), center, gets squeezed between Notre Dame of Fairfield's Dan Finizio (6) and Kevin Barrett (18), right, during Connecticut Ice Tournament action at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Notre Dame of West Haven's Ryan Ahern (28) attempts a goal shot as Notre Dame of Fairfield's Aaron Martino (10) defends during Connecticut Ice Tournament action at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.
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Notre Dame of West Haven's Ryan Ahern (28) attempts a goal shot as Notre Dame of Fairfield's Aaron Martino (10) defends during Connecticut Ice Tournament action at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Notre Dame-Fairfield goalie Reagin Gallagher stops a shot by Notre Dame-West Haven's Bryce Vitale during the Connecticut Ice Tournament on Friday.
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Notre Dame-Fairfield goalie Reagin Gallagher stops a shot by Notre Dame-West Haven’s Bryce Vitale during the Connecticut Ice Tournament on Friday.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Notre Dame-Fairfield goalie Reagin Gallagher stops a shot by Notre Dame-West Haven's Bryce Vitale during the Lancers' 3-0 loss in the Connecticut Ice Tournament at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport on Friday.
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Notre Dame-Fairfield goalie Reagin Gallagher stops a shot by Notre Dame-West Haven’s Bryce Vitale during the Lancers’ 3-0 loss in the Connecticut Ice Tournament at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport on Friday.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Notre Dame of Fairfield's Sean Doherty (6) looks to pass the puck as Notre Dame of West Haven's Joseph DAgostino (4) defends during Connecticut Ice Tournament action at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.
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Notre Dame of Fairfield's Sean Doherty (6) looks to pass the puck as Notre Dame of West Haven's Joseph DAgostino (4) defends during Connecticut Ice Tournament action at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Notre Dame of Fairfield goalie Reagin Gallagher deflects a shot by Notre Dame of West Haven's Bryce Vitale (23) during Connecticut Ice Tournament action at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.
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Notre Dame of Fairfield goalie Reagin Gallagher deflects a shot by Notre Dame of West Haven's Bryce Vitale (23) during Connecticut Ice Tournament action at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Notre Dame of Fairfield's Raymond Ferguson (22) moves the puck behind the goal as Notre Dame of West Haven's Sean Doherty (6) intercepts during Connecticut Ice Tournament action at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.
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Notre Dame of Fairfield's Raymond Ferguson (22) moves the puck behind the goal as Notre Dame of West Haven's Sean Doherty (6) intercepts during Connecticut Ice Tournament action at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Notre Dame of West Haven's Ryan Cannon (11), left, attempts to score against Notre Dame of Fairfield during Connecticut Ice Tournament action at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020. Defending at right is Notre Dame of Fairfield's Patrick Benvenuto.
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Notre Dame of West Haven's Ryan Cannon (11), left, attempts to score against Notre Dame of Fairfield during Connecticut Ice Tournament action at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020. Defending at right is Notre Dame of Fairfield's Patrick Benvenuto.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Notre Dame of West Haven's Joseph DAgostino III (4), left, scores against Notre Dame of Fairfield during Connecticut Ice Tournament action at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.
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Notre Dame of West Haven's Joseph DAgostino III (4), left, scores against Notre Dame of Fairfield during Connecticut Ice Tournament action at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Notre Dame of West Haven's Joseph DAgostino III (4) moves the puck as Notre Dame of Fairfield's Raymond Ferguson (22) chases during Connecticut Ice Tournament action at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.
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Notre Dame of West Haven's Joseph DAgostino III (4) moves the puck as Notre Dame of Fairfield's Raymond Ferguson (22) chases during Connecticut Ice Tournament action at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Connecticut Ice Tournament action between Notre Dame of West Haven and Notre Dame of Fairfield at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.
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Connecticut Ice Tournament action between Notre Dame of West Haven and Notre Dame of Fairfield at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Connecticut Ice Tournament action between Notre Dame of West Haven and Notre Dame of Fairfield at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.
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Connecticut Ice Tournament action between Notre Dame of West Haven and Notre Dame of Fairfield at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Connecticut Ice Tournament action between Notre Dame of West Haven and Notre Dame of Fairfield at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.
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Connecticut Ice Tournament action between Notre Dame of West Haven and Notre Dame of Fairfield at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Connecticut Ice Tournament action between Notre Dame of West Haven and Notre Dame of Fairfield at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.
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Connecticut Ice Tournament action between Notre Dame of West Haven and Notre Dame of Fairfield at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Connecticut Ice Tournament action between Notre Dame of West Haven and Notre Dame of Fairfield at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.
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Connecticut Ice Tournament action between Notre Dame of West Haven and Notre Dame of Fairfield at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 24, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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BRIDGEPORT — When Notre Dame-West Haven needed Connor Smith to hold the fort in the first period, the junior goalie was there.

Even later on, Smith made big saves at Webster Bank Arena on Friday night, keeping the No. 2 Green Knights out front in a 3-0 win over No. 10 Notre Dame-Fairfield in the Connecticut Ice Boys Hockey Showcase.

“Connor Smith is arguably the best goalie in the state. We’re very fortunate to have him,” Green Knights coach Larry Vieira said. “He brought us to the (Division I) final last year, and he’s doing the same this year.

“He’s calm, cool and collected. He’s definitely our MVP.”

Smith finished with 28 saves, a few of them on a five-minute penalty kill in the first period, to earn the shutout.

“Our defense just kept puck out. We did a really good job clearing the guys out in front, and we killed the five-minute penalty,” Smith said. “They gave me great sightlines, so it was easy to see the puck, and they blocked a lot of shots.”

THE GAMETIMECT BOYS HOCKEY TOP 10 POLL

Joe D’Agostino put the Green Knights (9-3) up before the end of the first period. Mike Pilato (going down in front of the net) and Bobby Allan (power play) tacked on in the third period.

That five-minute power play came 4:19 into the game after the Green Knights’ John D’Errico was called for a major and a game misconduct for contact to the head of Lancers forward Mike Ceneri.

Ceneri’s helmet came off on the hit, and he remained down awhile. He appeared to be bleeding as he was helped to the dressing room.

Lancers coach Rich Minnix said Ceneri was getting stitches after the game but appeared to be doing all right otherwise.

“It was very hard for the guys to get going on the five-minute penalty,” Minnix said. “A guy like Mike Ceneri, our workhorse on the team: They were probably a little in shock on the first half of that (power play).”

The Lancers (5-6-1), whose roster was already well shorter than the Green Knights’, were further short-handed Friday night. Goalie Nick Piselli, who transferred from Notre Dame-West Haven last year, was out ill, and a few others were sick or injured.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Notre Dame-West Haven goalie Connor Smith made 28 saves and seemed to be in full control of the game.

Smith’s biggest stride from last year, Vieira said, is “belief in himself. He didn’t believe in himself last year. He had to beat out two talented goalies, one junior, one senior. Once he got that confidence, he’s taken off from there.

“Everyone told him for years, he’s too short (listed 5-foot-7), not good enough. Well, he’s big enough, and he’s good enough.”

NO SLOUCH

Lancers goalie Reagin Gallagher made 38 saves. The first two goals were from close range, and the third banked in off a defender.

“(Gallagher and Piselli) are 1A/1B, and they’re both going to compete,” Minnix said.

QUOTABLE

“We talked about making it a 45-minute game. … They’re down in numbers. They don’t have the depth we do. We want to play a 45-minute game. Of course, we turned it into a 40-minute-or-less game. that was a gigantic (penalty) kill.” —Notre Dame-West Haven coach Larry Vieira, on the early major-penalty kill

mfornabaio@ctpost.com; @fornabaioctp

NOTRE DAME-WEST HAVEN 3, NOTRE DAME-FAIRFIELD 0

NOTRE DAME-FAIRFIELD…………….0 0 0—0
NOTRE DAME-WEST HAVEN…………1 0 2—3
Records: Notre Dame-Fairfield 5-6-1; Notre Dame-West Haven 9-3-0. Goals: NDWH—Joe D’Agostino, Mike Pilato, Bobby Allan. Assists: NDWH—Ryan Ahern, Chris Hughes, Robert Goetze, Zach Schroeder. Goalies: NDF—Reagin Gallagher (38 saves); NDWH—Connor Smith (28). Shots: NDF—28; NDWH—41.

About Michael Fornabaio

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