Strong 3rd Period Lifts Rams Hockey Over Branford

While the game remained hotly contested throughout the first two periods, Cheshire cruised ahead in the final frame for a 4-0 victory over Branford at Northford Ice Pavilion Saturday.

Cheshire gained momentum early on an Owen Powers power-play goal assisted by John Cunningham with 11:48 remaining in the first. Branford had a good opportunity to respond on a fast break halfway through the period but Rams' goalie Tyler Carbone made two saves in rapid succession.

The Rams held on to their 1-0 advantage until the third period when they broke through with goals from Tyler Lima, Spencer Hackett and Matt Muzyka.

Cheshire coach Jim Riccitelli said he was pleased their week-long layoff didn’t affect the team.

“We were home for a week and it was nice to finally play again and get a win,” said Riccitelli. “We changed our game lines around, changed our warm-ups. We did everything a little different tonight to stay fresh.”

Branford coach Adolph Brink said his team played well at times but didn’t put it together for 45 minutes.

“We were good for two periods and bad for one. We forced them to take outside shots and did a good job of that but we didn’t do it in the third period,” Brink said.

Things got a little chippy in the final period between not only players but fans as well. Play was briefly stopped when a fan threw an object onto the ice. A Cheshire fan was ejected and police chose to escort Branford players and coaches out of the facility following the game.

There was some rough-housing between players in the final five minutes, including simultaneous tripping penalties for each team. A warning was issued to Branford’s Tony Pascale.

With the victory, Cheshire improved to 5-2-2 on the season and will face Lyman Hall on Feb. 3.

Riccitelli was quick to give credit to Branford following the game.

“They’re a tough team. They take up space and make you work. Fortunately in the third period we played well,” Riccitelli said.