It was almost dejavu for the New Canaan Rams girls hockey team Wednesday night.
Much like they did on Saturday night against Greenwich, the Rams outplayed their opponent but this time, they outscored them too. With the 2-1 victory over Darien, New Canaan improves their record to 9-1 on the season.
Freshman Olivia Hompe was the hero as she pounced on junior Jana Persky's rebound to score the winning goal with 2:35 left to go in overtime.
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"Olivia has great hands and knows how to finish a play," said Rams head coach Rich Bulan.
Darien Blue Wave head coach agreed with Bulan.
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"Hompe is quick, has a great shot and is someone that you cannot afford to make mistakes against," said Gurney. "She is one of the best players in the state."
The Rams controlled most of the game, outshooting Darien 37-15, but ran into a hot goaltender.
"Katharine Macomber is one of the best in the state," said Bulan. "Luckily, we were able to get one against a good team."
Bulan also praised the play of his netminder, senior Charlotte Spitzfaden.
"When we outshoot our opponents like we did tonight, it is pretty unfair to Charlotte," said Bulan. "She is also one of the best in the state and tonight, she was as solid as she has always been."
Though the Rams were pouring on the shots, it was the Blue Wave that got on the board first after a scoreless opening period. Darien scored 3:27 into the second when Emma Tuzinkiewicz took the puck through the neutral zone and came in to beat Charlotte Spitzfaden through the five hole on her own rebound.
New Canaan's Holly Burwick tied it up with 3:14 left in the second, assisted by Maggie Burke. Burwick set up behind the net, passed to Burke in front, whose shot was saved and Burwick pounced on the rebound and scored through traffic
It was a frantic third period as both teams traded chances but no one could put a puck past the netminders until the overtime period when the Rams' would eventually pick up the victory.
"Sometimes it happens that way," said Bulan. "It was a great girls' high school hockey game."
The Rams will be back in action at home on Saturday night when they take on Staples.
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KEY STATS:
Shots-on-Goal:
- New Canaan—37
- Darien—15
Goalie Saves:
- New Canaan—Spitzfaden—14/15
- Darien—Macomber—35/37
