Smith-Wyckoff’s Stalwart Saturday

HAMDEN - HYHA goaltender Henry Smith-Wyckoff came to play Saturday morning at the Lou. Smith-Wyckoff, the 1st year goalie for the HYHA Squirt B team, came away with not 1 but 2 victories.

“We came out flying, but when we needed saves he was right there,” said Squirt B Coach Raymond Mirando. “I was confident he could fill in for the A team, but when we found out the team was down so many players I thought it might be baptism by fire.” Smith-Wyckoff started his morning with a game against Echo’s Squirt B team. HYHA came out flying and after the 1st the game was never in question. “I didn’t see a lot of shots after the 1st.” said Smith-Wyckoff. Hamden put Echo away with a lopsided victory & gave Smith-Wyckoff his 1st win. That turned out to only be the beginning of Smith-Wyckoff’s day.

“We’re battling through a rough week healthwise for the kids.” said Squirt A Coach James Sharples. “Last night at Quinnipiac we were down 4 kids, today its 5.” HYHA’s Squirt A team was short 4 skaters plus their own nimble goalie Jordan Suppa & called on Smith-Wyckoff to man the pipes. The game would mean back to back games with no rest against a strong Ridgefield A team. The short Squirt A bench also meant just 10 players with forward Jadi Glazer subbing back to help on defense.

The game was a back and forth affair. Hamden jumped ahead in the 1st period on the 1st of 2 goals for forward Gaetano Buontempo. From there it was a strong defensive effort across the entire team, culminating with a late penalty kill with only minutes to go in the third period. Hamden was able to hold off that Ridgefield power play with Smith-Wyckoff making 2 huge saves & giving himself a second victory. And this one was a shutout.

“Not a bad little Saturday.” said Coach Derek Bohan. Not bad at all.