HAMDEN — In a state championship matchup that had spectators on the edge of their seats through regulation and into overtime, the North Haven High School boys hockey team defeated Woodstock Academy 2-1 Tuesday night at Quinnipiac University to claim the CIAC Division II crown.
With two periods in the books, No. 2 Woodstock clung to a 1-0 lead.
North Haven, the tournament’s top seed, would even things up late in the third on a goal by Thomas Guidone.
The contest then moved into OT, where Alex Petersen would net the game-winner with 5:35 remaining.
Goalie Bryce Petersen, Alex’s brother, turned away 34 shots on the night to help North Haven collect the program’s third state championship.
Coach Chris Avena’s Nighthawks rolled up a regular season record of 18-2 and chalked up four more wins in the state tournament. North Haven’s march to the Division II finals included wins over No. 16 Sheehan (8-0), No. 9 Daniel Hand (5-2) and No. 12 North Branford (1-0).
The 2023 CIAC Division II state champs: Paul Mastriano, grade 9; Owen Quick, 12; Andrew Porto, 9; Andre Ohanyan, 12; Logan Ohanyan, 10; William Keaney, 10; Nolan Cole, 11; Jake Donovan, 11; Bryce Montabana, 10; Alex Petersen, 12; Bryce Mastriano, 9; Thomas Guidone, 12; William Sullivan, 12; Mark Guidone, 9; Connor Keaney, 12; Gavin Knauft, 9; Ethan Buck, 12; Christopher Consorte, 9; Jaxson O’Brien, 11; Lleyton Geremia, 11; Ben Gilbert, 11; Joseph Taft, 12; Jack Keaney, 11; Bryce Petersen, 12.