Hockey season
comes to a halt
The season could have gone on a little longer for first-year coach Kevin Bisson and the Woodstock Academy boys’ ice hockey team.
It came to an end March 4 when the 13th-seeded Centaurs fell to No. 4 Branford, 6-2, in a Division II first-round state tournament game.
“It’s a little disappointing,” Bisson said. “I think, overall, from everyone around here that I spoke to, they felt really good about this year. They feel like we have had a really strong year and the kids, as a whole, felt good about how the season went. It’s frustrating to lose in the first round after a great, strong year, but we have these good feelings as compared to last year when we lost in the first round.”
That’s because the best may still be to come for the Centaurs who finished 12-7-2.
“We laid some groundwork and a foundation that the team as a whole can build off of,” Bisson said. “They’re not going to have to come in and learn a whole bunch of new stuff next year. All the returning guys understand what I ask of them and what I expect. There won’t be, hopefully, a big learning curve for the vast majority of these kids.”
Woodstock Academy team captain Liam McDermott rated the season pretty high.
“I think this season felt just as good as winning the state championship in 2017,” the senior said. “The group of guys in the locker room was spectacular.”
McDermott (4 goals, 7 assists, 11 points) will be one of eight who graduate this season.
Leaving with McDermott will be Matthew Odom (19 goals, 8 assists, 27 points); goalie Dylan Shea; forwards Owen Borski, Tom Catsam and Mason Stewart and defensive players, Ethan Thorpe (3 goals, 5 assists, 8 points) and Connor Starr (1 goal, 6 assists, 7 points).
“We have three senior defenseman so we will have a little work to do on the back end to get that shored up. We definitely have the bodies in the pipeline that we’ve been developing this year.” Bisson said.
Bisson was especially proud of the contributions he received from some freshmen this season.
That goes from the front to the back and includes Kyle Brennan who finished with seven goals, three assists and 10 points.
“He had a really strong year playing in a top-line role. We had him on the ice at the end of the game (versus Branford) for a reason,” Bisson said.
Freshman Chris Thibault (3 goals, 3 assists, 6 points) also got a lot of minutes up front as did another first-year player, Devin Chadwick.
Defenseman Brendon Hill saw lots of playing time and will be one of the key ingredients behind the blue line when he returns as a sophomore.
Bisson was also pumped about the contributions of sophomore Guerin Favreau (8 goals, 6 assists, 14 points) and junior Doug Newton.
“Guerin goes another step up the ladder as far as leadership and Doug Newton (17 goals, 13 assists, 30 points) led the team in points and we get him back for his senior year,” Bisson said.
The one big question mark will be in front of the net.
Shea vacates the goalie position.
Junior Josh Lavitt made one start between the pipes this season.
“He didn’t get too much playing time here in the last few years on the varsity level,” Bisson said. “The goalie position will be an important piece for us moving forward, but I think the rest is already in place.”
McDermott agreed with that. “I think moving forward, it’s a really bright future for the program. It was a great team to be able to lead,” McDermott said.
Although the score against Branford Monday may have seemed a little lopsided, it really wasn’t.
The Centaurs played well in the first two periods.
“Two out of three doesn’t get it done,” Bisson said with a sigh.
The Centaurs led Branford 1-0 on a goal by Newton with 3 minutes, 34 seconds left in the opening period.
Thorpe made the rush up the ice, passed to Newton, who did a little stick handling and slipped it under the arm of Branford goalie Greg Lucente.
“That got the juices flowing. The kids were motivated on the bench and the rest of the period, we were just giving it everything we had,” Bisson said.
Robert Lionetti tied the game for the Hornets (15-3-3) 4:22 into the second period, but three minutes later, McDermott found the back of the net.
Thorpe, on the power play, brought the puck into the offensive end, cut back, and passed across to McDermott.
“It was a Liam-like goal; a slap shot from the blue line, going top shelf and one-timing it past (Lucente),” Bisson said.
It would mark the end of the good times for the Centaurs.
David Engstrom knotted the game for Branford with 6:11 left in the second period and the game would go into the final period tied.
“The feeling in the locker room was that, ‘We can win this,’” McDermott said. “We were definitely super-confident in our guys. We just had to protect the goals that we scored and play good team defense- that was the thought. It got discouraging. They got two quick goals, which was our goal (to accomplish), and they beat us to it.”
Max Bunton scored just 39 seconds into the period and then Branford made it a two-goal game 3 ½ minutes later.
A Hornets’ shot was stopped by Shea but the rebound slipped to the left side where Zachary Jones, a lefty, was able to get a forehand shot off and into the back of the net.
Bisson called a time out.
“We tried to rally the troops and regain our composure,” Bisson said.
The Centaurs quickly won a faceoff “nice and clean,” according to the Woodstock Academy coach.
Too clean, in fact.
“It went right past our defender and (Lionetti) took off like a rocket and put the nail in the coffin,” Bisson said.
The Hornets enjoyed a 5-2 lead with just under 10 minutes to play.
Bisson pulled Shea with three minutes left to get the man advantage and Lionetti got his hat trick with an open-net goal with 1:21 left in the game.
Bisson espoused optimism in the locker room after the game.
“It didn’t help our seniors any to hear it, but this program has a bright future,” Bisson said.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
The Woodstock Academy
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Gold Prep
team loses
in quarterfinal
upset
The Woodstock Academy Gold prep basketball team lost for only the second time this season and it came against the same team.
Brewster Academy, the No. 8 seed, upset the top-ranked Centaurs, 82-80, in the National Prep Championship Tournament quarterfinals March 6 at Connecticut College.
The Bobcats had also beaten the Centaurs,80-77, in New Hampshire on Jan, 26.
Brewster Academy went on to win the National Championship, despite playing four games in two days, with a 67-51 decision over Scotland Campus Sports March 7.
The loss ended the Centaurs’ season with a 38-2 record.
Woodstock Academy hit nine 3-pointers in the first half to take a 41-34 advantage, but Brewster Academy rallied in the second half and captured the victory. Jalen Lecque put the Bobcats up, 80-77, with a layup with 17 seconds left, but the Centaurs weren’t done.
Wichita State-bound point guard Noah Fernandes (12 points) tied the game for Woodstock Academy with nine seconds left on a 3-pointer. Joel Brown, however, raced up the floor and hit the game-winning layup with six-tenths of a second to play to give Brewster Academy the win.
Tre Mitchell led the Centaurs with 24 points with the 6-foot-9 center stepping outside the paint for five 3-pointers.
Woodstock Academy finished with 16 3-pointers, as a team, in the game. T.J. Weeks, Matt Cross and Jacob Toppin all finished with nine points for the Centaurs.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
The Woodstock Academy
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Theresa Lavallee
PUTNAM — Theresa Lavallee, 91, of Mohegan Street, died March 10, 2019, in Matulaitis Nursing Home. Born in 1928 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Emile and Georgianna (Dragon) Lavallee.
Ms. Lavallee worked as a machine operator and mold maker for Colts Plastic. She enjoyed playing bingo with her mother and travelling. She also liked cats, animals, crocheting, knitting and loved to go out to eat.
She leaves her sister, Estelle Yakis of Putnam; her sister-in-law, Jeanne Lavallee of Putnam; her nephews, Kevin Lavallee of Putnam, Ryan Yakis of Eastford, Matthew Yakis of Eastford, Nathan Yakis of Woodstock, Fred Lavallee (Susan) of Port Charlotte, Fla.; and her grandniece, Meredith Messenger of Longmeadow, Mass. She was predeceased by her bother, Frederick “Jimmy” Lavallee.
Visitation is at 9 a.m. March 15 in the Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam. Burial is in St. Mary Cemetery.
Andrew Antonson Jr.,
WWII vet
PUTNAM — Andrew F. Antonson Jr., 95, died March 9, 2019, at Day Kimball Hospital, Putnam.
He was born in Webster, son of the late Andrew F. Antonson Sr. and Irene M. (Guerin) Antonson.
He was a WWII Air Force veteran. Andrew lived in N. Grosvenordale, Quinebaug and Putnam through the years. He was employed at Pratt Whitney for 31 years in E. Hartford.
Andrew was a member of the VFW of Putnam, Century Club at Pratt Whitney and St. Stephen’s Church, Quinebaug.
He leaves his wife of 71 years, Lorette D. (Dubeau) Antonson; daughter Nancy Ledoux (Earl) of Quinebaug; grandson Brandon Ledoux; godchild Scott Antonson; a brother Donald Antonson (Elaine) of Wilsonville. Andrew was predeceased by three sisters, Edith Lazarowski , Mildred Kuzewski and Dorothy Kelly.
A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. April 27 with military honors in St. Joseph Cemetery, N. Grosvenordale. Donations: St. Stephen’s Church, Quinebaug. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Charlotte Gubber
N. GROSVENORDALE — Charlotte Emma Gubber, 87, died March 9, 2019.
Charlotte was born Jan. 11, 1932, in Oxford, Mass. She worked, for many years, as a receptionist for Guardian Industries. She was the wife of the late husband George J. Gubber.
She leaves her sisters: Louise Pierce of W. Brookfield, Mass., and Dorothy Steiger of Warren, Mass.; two nephews: David Pierce (Leane) of W. Brookfield, and Edward Caissie (Carole) of Spencer, Mass.; her niece: Sandra Richer of Pennsylvania.
A graveside service was March 13 in the W. Thompson Cemetery. Donations: St. Jude’s Hospital; or to a local dog/animal shelter of your choice. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Therese P. Meunier
DAYVILLE — Therese P. Meunier, 70, of Dayville, died unexpectedly March 3, 2019, at home.
She was born on Oct. 10, 1948, in Woonsocket, R.I., the daughter of the late Delores J. (Racette) and Sylvio J. Ratelle.
She loved nothing more than cooking and caring for those that she loved and spending time at her home which she referred to as her little piece of heaven on Earth. She retired from Westview Nursing Home in 2012 and previously worked many years at McDonald’s in Dayville.
She is predeceased by her husband Richard E. Meunier. He died in November 2015 and brother Joseph Ratelle, who died in September 2009. She leaves her daughter Laurie Costa of Dayville; sons Jason and his wife Melissa Costa of Danielson, Michael Meunier of Dayville; stepchildren Bruce Meunier of Urbandale, Iowa, Lisa Carney of Durham, N.C.; grandchildren Richard Meunier, Kristina Meunier, Josh Meunier, Ryan Carney, Robert Carney and Kenzi Costa; siblings, Wes and Linda Ratelle of California, Jessie Ianetti, Richard and Donna Ratelle, Linda and Richard Bowen; sister-in-law Linda Ratelle, all of Danielson.
A Memorial Service was March 9 in Tillinghast Funeral Home, Danielson.
William Hansen,
WWII vet
DANIELSON — William R. Hansen, 97, died Feb. 27, 2019, at home.
Born in 1921 to Sylvia Nilsen and Jul Hansen, he grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., where his father owned Hansen’s Boat Yard.
In 1943 he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and served on LST 791 in the Pacific theater during WWII. Upon his return from the war, he attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and later became an aerospace engineer. In the 1960s he worked for Grumman Aircraft as one of the design engineers on the Apollo Lunar Module which landed the first men on the moon.
He loved sailing and belonged to the Sheepshead Bay Yacht Club where he met the love of his life—Jacqueline Hall. There he raced Star class sailboats and was fleet champion in 1949. He also built a 30-foot cabin cruiser named “Jacky” which he later kept in Wethersfield Cove. He was always known for his sunny disposition.
He leaves his wife of 71 years, Jacqueline Hall Hansen; three children: son Peter C. Hansen (Dianne), son Jon W. Hansen (Jody), and daughter Susan L. LaGrow; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his mother Sylvia Hansen, his father Jul Hansen, sister Lillian Hansen and son-in-law Clayton LaGrow.
Services were private. Donations: US Sailing Foundation, www.ussailing.org/about/ussf/donate/. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Vercelli service
THOMPSON — Peter J.B. Vercelli, 90, died Feb. 18, 2019 at home.
A memorial gathering will be at noon May 4 in the Pomfret School’s Clark Chapel. Burial in the Leroy Anderson family plot in New North Cemetery, Woodbury, will be private.
Donations: Thompson Historical Society, Peter Vercelli Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 47, Thompson, CT 06277. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes & Crematory, 104 Church St. Putnam.
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caption:
Wall Shelter
Troop 21 Boy Scout Raihden Albino, left, and Assistant Patrol Leader Timothy Maltais built a winter survival shelter. Photo by John D. Ryan
STAFFORD —Yes, you can comfortably camp outdoors in the wintertime. Just ask the Scouts from Boy Scout Troop 21, of Putnam. They just spent a successful weekend camping in Stafford Springs.
“It’s fun to get the kids out and show them they can camp and have fun in the winter,” said Scoutmaster John D. Ryan, of Putnam. “We made sure the boys had the right equipment for winter, and the tents go up just like in the summer. It was a really good time.”
With permission from the landowner, last weekend Troop 21 pitched their tents and set up their kitchen and gear along the pond and woods on private property at the Quatrano Farm in Stafford Springs. Ryan and other adult volunteer Scout leaders spent the weekend teaching the boys how to camp in the snow, including, among a number of activities, fire building, camp cooking, building emergency survival shelters and animal tracking in the snow.
“Scouting helps to build character and leadership in young men,” Ryan ‘said. “We show boys they can have self confidence and do things they wouldn’t otherwise challenge themselves to do, just like we did this weekend. We’d love to have more Scouts in our troop and show them the fun we have.”
Troop 21 is looking for boys 11 to 17, is open to all faiths, welcomes boys with special needs and never turns any boy away for financial reasons. If interested call 860-928-7241.
Among other activities, Troop 21 started its annual program with a week at Scout camp in July, followed by a hike on the Airline Trail in Thompson, a weekend helping out at the annual “Circle of Fun” carnival at St. Mary’s, a wilderness survival camping trip, two winter camping expeditions and a special local-history hike in Putnam.
After a month-long March food drive, a fishing trip and separate rifle, archery and climbing wall weekends are planned, before Troop 21 heads back to its annual week at summer camp this July.
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