Bruins Capture Belmont Hill-Nichols Tournament

Championship game:

Brunswick     7
 
Millbrook      1
 
In the 29th annual Belmont Hill-Nichols Tournament, Brunswick bested Millbrook, 7-1, to capture the school's first tournament title in its third appearance. 
 
The Mustangs jumped out to the early lead at the 10:59 mark of the first period and began to establish the territorial edge in the opening frame -- using their speed to generate odd-man rushes and a handful of quality opportunities. 
 
Brunswick settled in, however, and tied the contest before the intermission on sophomore Matt Holmes' first goal of the season -- 1-1 after one. 
 
In the second, Brunswick turned the game in its favor for good -- beating Millbrook to loose pucks, creating chances on the rush, and finding the finishing touch around the net. 
 
The Bruins, in fact, chased Millbrook's starting goaltender with three goals on three consecutive shots, and then added another 26 seconds before the break -- 5-1 after two.
 
With two more quick ones to start the third, Brunswick deflated Millbrook's hopes entirely and cruised to the 7-1 victory.
 
Junior Brian Ketchabaw turned aside 19 Millbrook shots on net to earn the win between the pipes. 
 
Game shot totals were 36-20 in favor of Brunswick.
 
Now off until Monday for the New Year's holiday, Brunswick -- 13-3 on the season and 9-3 in New England league play -- will host #1-ranked Loomis on Wednesday, January 7.
 
Face-off at Hartong is slated for 4 p.m.

Semi-Finals:

Brunswick      4
 
Belmont Hill  3
 
In a tightly contested, fast-paced New England prep hockey game, Brunswick edged Belmont Hill, 4-3, to advance to the finals of the Belmont Hill-Nichols Tournament in Buffalo, N.Y.
 
Belmont Hill held the territorial advantage in the opening minutes, as the Hillies used their speed and set breakout to gain entry into the offensive zone. The Bruins did a nice job keeping them to the outside, however, and did not allow many good chances from quality scoring areas. 
 
Brunswick found its legs in the latter half of the frame and netted the first tally of the game off a scrum in front. Senior Will Rogers was the beneficiary on the play -- nudging a rebound into the open side to give his team the lead. 1-0 Bruins after one.
 
Belmont Hill tied it at the 0:59 mark of the second, but Brunswick quickly regained the momentum by getting pucks deep and swarming the opposing defensemen on the forecheck. 
 
With just under seven minutes to go, senior co-captain Tom Dunleavy won a race to a loose puck and ripped a slap shot into the far side of the cage. Freshman defenseman Patrick Burkinshaw picked up an assist on the goal -- 2-1 Bruins after two.
 
In the third, Brunswick jumped out to a 4-1 lead on two quick strikes -- the first from junior Matt Sealy and the second from classmate Colin Slyne.
 
Belmont Hill didn't quit, though, and soon after calling timeout, the Hillies found the net twice within 12 seconds -- 4-3 Bruins with 8:46 to go.
 
From that point on, the Bruins played smart, defensive-minded hockey and they didn't concede any real scoring threats down the stretch -- none, in fact, after Belmont Hill pulled its goalie in the final 90 seconds. 
 
Senior Matteo Esposito earned his third win of the weekend -- making 18 saves. 
 
Shots finished at 23-21 in favor of Brunswick.
Back
 

 

 

Brunswick School Greenwich, CT

  • Upper School
    100 Maher Avenue
    Office: 203.625.5856

    Lower School
    1252 King Street
    Office: 203.485.3670
  • Middle School
    1275 King Street
    Office: 203.242.1202

    Pre School
    1252 King Street
    Office: 203.485.3652

Main Phone: 203.625.5800
Business: 203.242.1220 
Alumni: 203.242.1223