Another day, another win for the Westhill-Stamford High co-op ice hockey team. Their latest victory came on Monday, 9-3 against the Norwalk-McMahon team, improving their record to 5-0-2. Westhill’s offense is red hot, scoring 29 goals in its first four games of the season. Senior Chris Clemmenson, sophomore Cooper Healy, and junior Nick Rich all contributed on the ice Monday. Healy has put up some impressive numbers in his sophomore year. He is in the top 5 in goals, assists, and points on the team, quite impressive for someone who struggled in his first year as a Viking.
“It was a really good team effort. We were taking good shots, and defending well. Our poke check was really aggressive,” sophomore goalie John Kanaris said, “This team is off to a really good start. I hope nothing can stop us.” Westhill started the game off with a bang, quickly obtaining a 2-0 lead. After they took a 3-0 lead early in the second period, the game was pretty much over. Westhill has been doing this consistently over their first few games of the year.
The Vikings have initiated good team bond this season as well. “We are very close. Much closer than last year,” forward Healy said. “Last year we didn’t have a direction.” This year each player knows where their teammates are on the ice. They know when they can pass to them, or back another player up on defense. The Vikings play Darien on January 16. Will it be their first loss? Who knows, but Westhill is off to an excellent start this year, and a lot should be expected from them the rest of the way.
“I expect a State Championship this year. We have the team to do it,” Kanaris said when asked if the team can go all the way this year. They made it to Yale last year, but fell short, giving up a goal in overtime during the 2015 playoffs.
