Some messages from coaches to their team go over well.
Others, not so much.
Woodstock Academy coach Kevin Bisson experienced that last week with his Centaurs boys’ ice hockey team.
His message to them, prior to their game with the Suffield-Granby-Windsor Locks cooperative Jan. 9, was to go out and get the lead.
Before the Centaurs knew it, they were down by two goals and Bisson knew what wasted breath meant.
But Jan. 11, he urged his team to change its pattern of figuring things out in the first period, pulling even in the second and pulling ahead in the third.
They had already played Tri-Town once this season and the early feeling out period the Centaurs seem to embrace was not necessary.
This time, the Centaurs listened and it produced a well-played, 4-1, victory over Tri-Town.
It capped off a busy week for the Centaurs who improved to 7-2 with two victories in their three games.
The week didn’t start off all that well.
Woodstock Academy traveled to Connecticut College in New London to play defending CIAC Division III champion and Nutmeg Conference foe, the Eastern Connecticut Eagles. The hosts walked away with the 4-1 victory and took control of first place in the conference.
Kyle Jacobsen put the Eagles (5-3) up, 2-0 with a goal 3 minutes, 20 seconds into the game and another in the first five minutes of the second period.
Woodstock Academy freshman Kyle Brennan cut the lead in half in the late in the second period when he scored his second goal of the season off an assist from Doug Newton.
But the Eagles put a little distance between them and the Centaurs just 57 seconds into the final period on a Ryan Huta goal. Evan Tower got the empty net goal with just 38 seconds to play.
The Centaurs had to rally for a 7-6 win over the Suffield-Granby-Windsor Locks Cooperative Jan. 9.
Bisson held a team meeting prior to the game and asked the Centaurs how many times they had scored the first goal in a game.
The SGWL game was their eighth of the season and Woodstock Academy had only scored the first goal in a game once all season.
Tyler Gazdik scored on the first shift and Mason Ferrari on the third, two goals in the first two minutes. Fortunately, the Centaurs countered offensively. Austen LeDonne scored his fifth goal of the season, but the shootout was on. SGWL added a third goal with 7:24 left in the first period.
Woodstock Academy rallied and tied it on goals by Newton and Nick Chubbuck, only to see their Enfield Twin Rinks hosts forge ahead with five seconds left in the first.
Five more goals were scored in the second period with Woodstock Academy getting three of those off the sticks of Matthew Odom, Ethan Thorpe and Guerin Favreau to send the game into the third period tied at six. It was a needed goal for Thorpe. The senior defenseman had a rough outing against Eastern Connecticut Jan. 7 and didn’t play until midway through the first period against SGWL.
Thorpe got what proved to be the game winner two minutes into the third period when he threaded the needle through traffic and found the back of the net. After 12 goals in the first two periods, it was the only one of the third.
That carried over into Friday’s match with Tri-Town which also was played at the Enfield Twin Rinks.
The Centaurs finally did what the coaching staff had asked. They scored first. Woodstock Academy was shorthanded 2 ½ minutes into the first period when Odom stole the puck from a Tri-Town player in the Centaurs end. A Tri-Town defensive player caught up to him but dragged him down from behind resulting in a penalty shot for Odom.
A little stick-handling gave him the opening he needed and he put the shot into the back of the net for his 12th goal of the season. The Centaurs made it 2-0 just 35 seconds into the second period when Liam McDermott took a pass from Odom and scored on the power play.
Tri-Town did make it a one-goal game later in the second period but Guerin Favreau netted his fourth goal of the season in the third period and Newton got his ninth into an empty net to account for the final.
“We’ve identified a bunch of stuff that we want to clean up,” Bisson said. “We had a good game Friday which was great, but there were things from Monday and Wednesday that I want to work on. This will give me an opportunity to ramp up the intensity and pace without having to fear that they will be tired for a game the next day.”
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
The Woodstock Academy
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KILLINGLY — Broadway Live Productions has announced that “Voices in Concert with The New England Jazz Ensemble” will perform at 2 and 7:30 p.m. March 30 at the Killingly High School Theater.
The concert benefits the KHS Music and Drama programs and the Quinebaug Valley Community College Foundation. Tickets are $18 for the 7:30 p.m. performance and $16 for the 2 p.m. matinee and are now available online at www.mybroadwaylive.com
Creator and owner of Broadway Live Productions David T. Panteleakos said: “This very special event is all about bringing the power of music and education together. I am so honored to be able to bring together the New England Jazz Ensemble with some of the most talented vocalists I have worked with over the years. We will be performing the music of Jazz, Big Band and Broadway. There is something for everyone in this show.” Broadway Live Productions began in 2000 and has staged hundreds of performers, musicians and actors over the past 19 years and more than 30,000 people attending one of the many productions including: Broadway Live 2000, 2001, 2005, 2009 and 2015, Voices in Concert 2003, 2004, Voices and Friends 2003, Encore!, Broadway Live Helping Hands, Broadway Live Christmas 2006, 2009, DIVAS Live, Follow The Fifty Red Dress DIVAS, Les Misérables and The Conncert and Michael Dutra “Simply Sinatra.” All net proceeds from every performance have benefited local and national non-profit 501 (c) (3) beneficiaries including: American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Day Kimball Healthcare, Doctors Without Borders, Eastern Connecticut Performing Arts Association (ECPAA), Habitat for Humanity, Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center, HealthQuest of Northeastern Connecticut, Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, Putnam Rotary Club, Thompson Lions Club, Thomson Ecumenical Empowerment Group (TEEG), Interfaith Human Services of Putnam and Daily Bread Food Pantry, The Bradley Playhouse, Quinebaug Valley Community College (QVCC) Foundation.
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Wed. Jan. 16
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Library are sponsoring the Art @ the Library series at the Thompson Public Library with the exhibit “Pourtuitous” by Sarah Sabka through Jan. 31.
Thur. Jan. 17
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Monthly Bird Walk” at 1 p.m. starting from the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for CAS members; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Sat. Jan. 19
Benefit Concert
THOMPSON --- The Veterans Coffee House Benefit Concert will be held with cocktails starting at 6 p.m. at the Raceway Restaurant & Golf Club. The Real Wives of Windham County is hosting the event to raise money and awareness for the Veterans Coffee House in Danielson. The Gilman & Valade Funeral Homes & Crematory are the corporate gold sponsors. Cash bar and free light refreshments. $20 at: WINY, The Gilman Funeral Home, the Veterans Coffee House.
TLGV Program
DANIELSON --- The Last Green Valley’s Member Program Series, “Bald Eagles in The Last Green Valley” will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon at TLGV offices on Main Street. Snow date is 1 to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 28. Geared to adults. Two-part program. Chief Ranger Bill Reid. Ranger Bill will provide updated information on local eagles as well as information and results from the Jan. 12 Midwinter Eagle Survey, a Connecticut program for which The Last Green Valley helps coordinate volunteers. Following the presentation, participants are invited to drive to the Quinebaug Valley Trout Hatchery with Ranger Bill in hopes of seeing bald eagles. Free to TLGV members; $10 for non-members.
Open House
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp will hold an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. at the camp on Taft Pond Road. 860-974-3379.
Pastor’s Dinner
PUTNAM --- The Congregational church of Putnam, downtown, will present Pastor Tom’s Pasta Dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Free. For info: 860-928-4405.
Chicken Parm Dinner
PUTNAM --- Boy Scout Troop 25 of Putnam will host a Chicken Parmesan Fund-raising Dinner from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus in Putnam. Takeout available. $10. At door or through FB https://www.facebook.com/events/592984297798480
Benefit concert
POMFRET --- The Access Community Action Agency will present a benefit concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Vanilla Bean Café. It benefits the Northeast Connecticut Emergency Food Pantries of Access. $20.
Sun. Jan. 20
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Trail Wood Reflections – Reception and Reading” from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. Free. 860-928-4948.
Mon. Jan. 21
Nature Film
POMFRET --- In partnership with the Pomfret Green Team, the Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “A Plastic Ocean” at 6:30 p.m. at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. Free. Snow date, Jan. 22. 860-928-4948.
Fund-raiser
DAYVILLE --- Dining for a Cause will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. at 99 Restaurant in Killingly Commons to benefit PAWS Cat Shelter.
Exercise Group
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Senior Exercise Group will meet from 9 to 10 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday in the Woodstock Town Hall large meeting room on the lower. Minimum fee. Local seniors welcome. Please check the town website www.woodstockCT.gov for current schedule or call 860-928-6595.
Fri. Jan. 25
‘Noises Off’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse on Front Street will present “Noises Off” at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25, 26, Feb. 1, 2, 8 and 9 and at 2 p.m. Jan. 27, Feb. 3 and 10. $20 for adults; $16 for seniors and students. 860-28-7887.
Sat. Jan. 26
TLGV Adventure
WOODSTOCK --- The Last Green Valley’s Acorn Adventure: Eagle Eyes will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Roseland Park. Children and their families are invited to join The Last Green Valley’s Chief Ranger Bill Reid and Ranger to experience bald eagles. Bring binoculars or a spotting scope if you have them. Acorn Adventures are free, thanks to the sponsorship of Putnam Bank.
Bean Supper
E. WOODSTOCK --- The East Woodstock Congregational Church’s Ham & Bean Supper
will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. with continuous seatings at the church. $10 for adults; kids under 10 admitted free. Take out available. Benefits annual budget and heating needs. Entertainment. For tickets: 860-928-2731 or at the door.
Wee Walk Wander
WOODSTOCK --- The Wyndham Land Trust will present a WLT Wee Wander from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Rapoport/Spalding Preserve and scenic Taylor Brook. Take Joy Road to end of Calkins Rd. Snacks provided.
Sun. Jan. 27
Nature Program
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present the new “Trail Wood Non-Fiction Book Club” at Trail Wood on Kenyon Road, from 2 to 5 p.m. Free for CAS members; $5 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Thur. Jan. 31
Trivia Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Lions Club will present a Trivia Challenge at 7 p.m. at the Crossings Restaurant. Benefits Quilts of Valor.
Sat. Feb. 2
February Freeze
POMFRET --- The PCS February Freeze 5k Run/Walk will start at 1 p.m. at the Pomfret School – Parsons Lodge. Snow date Feb. 3. $30 per person. Register at www.pomfretcommunityschool.org/februaryfreeze. Proceeds to go Pomfret Community School 8th grade class trip to Washington D.C.
Fri. Feb. 8
Textile Exhibit
WILLIMANTIC --- The remarkable life of Sidonia Perlstein, Holocaust survivor and clothing designer, will be on display Feb. 8 through April 28 at the Windham Textile and History Museum from Feb.8 - April 28. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. $7 for general admission; $5 for students and seniors (62+); free for museum members and kids under 5 years old, and Eastern students.
Thur. March 21
Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- Dining for a Cause will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. at The Crossing on Main Street to benefit PAWS Cat Shelter.
Sat. March 30
Benefit Concert
KILLINGLY --- Broadway Live Productions will present “Voices in Concert” with the New England Jazz Ensemble at 2 and 7:30 p.m. at the Killingly High School theatre. It benefits the KHS Music and Drama programs and the QVCC Foundation. Mybroadwaylive.com
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January may be the first month on the calendar, but in the continuous loop that is time, it also happens to follow the last, most festive, month of the year. This is why, most likely, as we come down from our party “high,” we often reflect and resolve to do better. “I will not eat cake for dinner!” “I will exercise more!” “I will organize my basement!”
Of course, in our neck of the woods, January also happens to be the coldest month of the year, which, on occasion, can make adhering to the New Year resolutions, a bit more challenging. Although, I can remember a winter not so far back, where it snowed so much that shoveling became THE exercise…
A resolution, by definition, is a firm decision to do or not to do something. Resolving to do or not to do something you either want to accomplish or improve about yourself or your behavior is a good thing.
Resolving to do it simply because you feel bloated, or tired or stressed by the holiday clutter of new presents, at a time of year where you must add bundling up with layers of clothing to your daily routine, may not be setting yourself up for success.
In January, I try to eat fewer sweets, drink more hot tea and make sure that I have a good moisturizing hand cream. I try to watch a movie that may become an Oscar nominated film or a new TV series which debuted in September and make sure that I have enough fuel in the tank to get me through a cold snap.
I try to find a good book to read and make sure that I keep extra blankets on the couch and near the bed. I try to find time to take a walk on a quiet road and listen to the silence of winter and make sure that my mud room floor stays relatively clean from the mud and dirt I track in.
I try to remember to thank those who were thoughtful and kind enough to give me presents in December and make sure that I don’t forget those in my family with January birthdays. I try to find a new soup recipe and make sure that I clean out my refrigerator from all of the holiday leftovers. Truthfully, I can’t ever remember a time where, in January, I felt the need to RESOLVE to do or not to do anything, simply because it was January! I am too busy scraping my windshield or pumping air into a deflated tire or running to the store to return a gift.
SO … If you don’t exercise enough, simply try to exercise more. If you have a tendency to overindulge in something, simply try to eat or drink or whatever it is you overindulge in, less. If you want to be kinder to people, then try to be kinder. If you want to be smarter, then try to take a class in something. If you want to organize your house, then try to throw more stuff away. If you want to take that elusive trip of a lifetime, then try to save more money. Overall, January IS a perfect time for reflection and then, ultimately, for trying to make some changes. But then again, so is February!
TRY. TRY.
Kathy Naumann, possessor of NATURALLY curly hair and the understanding that you can’t control everything!
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