NEWINGTON, Jan. 8, 2023 – The Newington High co-op hockey team raised their state championship banner at Newington Arena on Saturday night to recognize the title won last March at Quinnipiac University over Conard.
However, visiting Wethersfield spoiled the evening with Sean Millen scoring three goals as the Eagles handed the Newington co-op their first loss of the season with a 5-1 victory.
Wethersfield’s top line of Jack Millen, his brother Sean and Duke Nower was very effective with three goals and six points.
The Eagles began to spoil the party quickly. They took a 1-0 lead just 4:30 into the game when Sean Millen scored the first of his three goals off a pass from Jack Millen.
Newington, which is comprised of players from Newington, Canton, Cromwell, Berlin and Manchester, showed some resolve when Harrison Ranger battled home a rebound of a shot from Evan Oliver just 37 seconds later to tie the score at 1-1. Evan Howard (Canton) also had an assist on the play.
Wethersfield didn’t let that tie last long. Sean Miller took the resulting faceoff win from his brother, beat a Nor’easter defender and gave the Eagles a 2-1 lead that they would never relinquish.
Wethersfield (2-3) extended their lead to 3-1 in the second period on a goal from Anthony Ruck. In the third period, Wethersfield’s Brady Quinn scored on a 2-on-1 rush and Sean Millen earned his hattrick by scoring on a short-handed goal.
Wethersfield goalie Matt Ruck had 12 saves to earn the win while Wagner stopped 18 shots for Newington co-op, now 6-1. The Nor’easters outshot the Eagles, 23-13.
Newington returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 14 when they host CCC South rival E.O. Smith at Newington Arena.
Wethersfield 5, Newington 1
At Newington
Wethersfield (2-3) 2 1 2 — 5
Newington (6-1) 1 0 0 — 1
Goals: Harrison Ranger (N), Sean Miller (W) 3, Anthony Ruck (W), Brady Quinn (W); Assists: Evan Oliver (N), Evan Howard (N), Jack Millen (W) 2, Duke Nower (W); Saves: Jeremy Wagner (N) 18, Matt Ruck (W) 12; Shots: Newington 23-13
Paul Helenski contributed to this report
