Quick start propels Cheshire past Generals in state tournament victory

MIDDLETOWN, March 7 – The Generals were behind from the start and couldn’t catch the Cheshire High boys hockey team in Tuesday’s CIAC Division II playoff game at Wesleyan’s Freeman Athletic Center.

Farmington Valley, the co-op hockey team consisting of players from Avon, Farmington, Lewis Mills and Windsor, gave up a goal in the first 25 seconds of the game and shorthanded goal in the first period in a 5-1 loss to No. 7 seed Cheshire (11-11-1).

Nick Virgulto scored off a pass from Conrad Reynolds just 25 seconds into the game in front of a screened Generals goalie. Friedler’s shorthanded goal made it 2-0. The Generals cut the lead to one but that was it.

Cheshire goalie Jake Verneris made 34 saves in net to lead the Rams. Sanjay Montagna scored on the power play for Cheshire while Ryan Novia and Reynolds each had one goal and one assists. Billy McKinley and Vinnie Sola each had two assists for Cheshire while Griffin Cunningham had an assist. The Rams put 35 shots on net.

The No. 10 Generals finished the season with a 15-8 record.

Cheshire 5, Farmington Valley 1
At Middletown
Farmington Valley        1  0  0  — 1
Cheshire                      2  2  1  — 5