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Sports

East Haven Starts Out Strong, Holds On For the Win

Senior Night for the teams' seven seniors is now a memory, and that memory is of a win over North Haven

East Haven came out strong to score three goals in under three minutes in what would be the easiest part of the game.

“We came out really strong in the first period and got two goals in the first two and a half minutes," said coach Lou Pane. "And then North Haven came back right away making a game of it. North Haven pressured the Easties and also scored two goals in the first period.

North Haven coach Mike Violano said he felt his team made a good effort, giving much of the credit to Sam Gavigan.

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“It was 3-0, we fight back to 3-2, and then their goaltender … It was his game, 18 shots on him in the second, 16 shots in the third and he does not let up a goal," said Violano. "That was the difference.”

East Haven did capitalize on a number of North Haven mistakes but Pane felt that was part of their game.

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“We tightened up defensively in our zone in the second and third as North Haven took it to us. We were fortunate to have Stephen Marsico put in the fourth goal on a short-handed break-away and Rich Decarlo really finished it off with the fifth goal off a pass from Ton Brunski, a play we call a long play that worked to a T,” said Pane.

North Haven needs one more win to make the state tournament; East Haven is already in.

“To sit here at 13-7 with a team that many people did not feel would make the tournament this year is very gratifying," said Pane. "It all comes from the hard work of the team and their will to win.”

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