Kent Scores Late PPG, Tops 'Wick

Kent’s power-play goal with 3:51 remaining in the game pushed the Lions to a 5-4 victory over previously unbeaten Brunswick (3-1) on Wednesday afternoon in northwestern Connecticut.

This was a great hockey game from the beginning — back-and-forth action, scoring chances galore, and momentum swings for both teams.

After a scoreless first, ’Wick jumped out to a two-goal advantage on tallies from Niko Cadoret and Sean Gibbons — the second on a power-play set-up to the hole from junior co-captain Hank Cleaves, who committed to Dartmouth on Monday. 

Kent didn’t go away, though, and got back into the game with one of every variety — even-strength, shorthanded, and on the power play. 3-2 for the home team at the second intermission. 

In the third, the Lions increased their lead to two with a goal on the period’s very first shift and appeared to be off to the races. 

But Brunswick stayed the course and battled back to tie it with two more power-play goals — the first on a 5 on 3 from junior co-captain James Shannon and the second from Gibbons on the very same play from earlier in the game. Tie game with 6:35 to go. 

’Wick got a little unlucky and was forced to take a late penalty, setting the stage for Kent’s game-winner on a cross-crease pass to the back door. 

The Bruins, who had already used their timeout while on the 5 on 3, had a few looks with junior goaltender Brendan Holahan on the bench but couldn’t find the equalizer.

Westminster is next on Saturday in Simsbury. 5 p.m. face-off.