Wildcats Fall In NHC Tournament

Dylan Podbielski scored three goals and added an assist, powering North Branford to a 7-1 victory over Suffield-Granby-Windsor Locks in the first round of the Northern Hockey Conference tournament Thursday at the Enfield Twin Rinks.

North Branford (7-14) will take on Tri-Town in the tournament finals Saturday at 2:40 p.m. Tri-Town advanced by defeating Enfield 4-1 on Wednesday.

"Suffield beat us twice earlier this season, but I told my guys it's tough to beat a team three times," Thunderbirds coach Ralph Shaw said. "We got the job done, getting it on goal and working the offense as hard as we could."

Podbielski scored his first goal 1:59 into the contest, converting a three-way passing play with his brother Eric and Ryan Dunn. Midway through the period, Dunn clanged a shot off the goalpost.

Suffield tied the game on a goal by Ryan Kertanis at 7:58 of the second period, assisted by Mike Thompson and Tyler Powers. North Branford came right back 30 seconds later and regained the lead on a score by Dave Puglisi.

The key point of the game came when Suffield goaltender Nick Burgio strayed far from the crease in an unsuccessful attempt to clear the puck. Dylan Podbielski fired a shot which deflected off a Wildcat defenseman into the open net for a 3-1 Thunderbirds lead.

Rich Affinito scored a breakaway goal late in the second period to give North Branford a 4-1 lead at the second intermission.

Dylan Podbielski completed his hat trick 26 seconds into the final session. Goals by Eric Podbielski and Kris Marra completed the Thunderbird scoring.

Goaltender Kyle Saroka stopped 29 shots to earn the win in net for North Branford.

"Our forecheck wasn't clicking today," Suffield coach Nick Boorman said. "We just had a bad all-around game."

Suffield (11-9-1) will compete in the Division II state tournament beginning next week.