Shorthanded goal from Petronio lifts Newington co-op into CCC South final

written by Gerry deSimas, Jr., Collinsville Press | February 28, 2024

Jack Petronio scored a shorthanded goal with 1:49 remaining in the game to help the Newington co-op boys hockey team upset E.O. Smith/Tolland in the semifinals of the CCC South Tournament on Wednesday night on the UConn campus in Storrs.

E.O. Smith/Tolland went 15-5 on the year and earned the No. 2 seed in the four-team tournament. The No. 2 seed Bucks beat the No. 3 Nor’easters twice this season.

Newington was called for a boarding penalty with 1:59 remaining in regulation but Newington’s Kyle Klimas won the draw that Gavyn Munson grabbed and he fired a pass up the ice to Petronio, who was ahead of two Bucks defenders. Petronio drove the goal and popped in the game-winning goal.

Even with the goal, the Nor’easters still had to kill off the rest of the penalty to secure the win. Goalie Anderson Claffey made a tough save with a Bucks skater right in front of him with 32 seconds remaining.

Newington co-op (11-10) stayed one step ahead for most of the game. At one point in the third period, the Nor’easters had a two-goal lead, 4-2, after a goal from Josh Beaudoin. But E.O. Smith/Tolland rallied to tie the game.

Petronio finished a goal and two assists while Paxton Kelly, Mason Buckley and Cole Brandon added goals for Newington co-op, which is comprised of players from Newington, Canton, Berlin, Cromwell and Manchester.

With the victory, Newington co-op advances to the CCC South championship game on Friday night at the International Skating Center of Connecticut Simsbury against top seed Conard at 7 p.m. The Red Wolves also beat Newington twice this season by scores of 8-1 and 7-2.

Newington co-op 5, E.O. Smith/Tolland 4
At Storrs
Newington co-op (11-10)         1  2  2  — 5
E.O. Smith/Tolland (15-6)      1  1  2  — 4
Goals: Jack Petronio (N), Josh Beaudoin (N), Cole Brandon (N), Mason Buckley (N), Paxton Kelly (N), Declaw Bayne (EO) 2, Raheeb Mahood (EO), Nolan Bourquin (EO); Assists: Petronio (N) 2, Buckley (N), Brandon (N), Beaudoin (N), Kyle Klimas (N), Jack Guilmartin (N), Ethan Lindquist (N), Gavyn Munson (N); Saves: Anderson Claffey (N) 15, Liam Petrella (EO) 13