Congratulations to Amity coach Gary Lindgren and his players for a huge 1-0 win over SCC Division I West Haven at the Bennett Rink on Saturday. It was the first time in 11 years the Spartans played the Blue Devils and the Amity players were certainly pumped up for the game, especially sophomore goalie Alec Mansfield who alternates in goal with sophomore Steve Brandi.
Mansfield started against the Westies and came up with 43 saves to get his first shutout of the season.
"This was a huge, huge win for us," Lindgren said. "West Haven has a good team with a good goalie and they are so well coached. My kids just kept giving a solid effort on both ends of the ice. We have two solid goalies and both have contributed quite a bit to the team this year.
"Today, Mansfield was just exceptional in goal for us. We haven't played West Haven in 11 years and it was very exciting to get back on the ice against them. I try to put together a tough, challenging schedule each season to get us prepared for the post season. Adding West Haven to our schedule was another step in that direction."
Amity, the defending CIAC Division II champion, lost quite a few points from last season's team due to graduation. But Lindgren has been happy with this season's team as it is slowly developing and finding its own chemistry.
With a solid defense leading the way, if the Spartans can increase their goal production they should be a formidable foe again in the post season.
With Amity, Cheshire and Branford having solid seasons with deep talent on both ends of the ice, the SCC Division II tournament and CIAC Division II tournament could very well be dominated these New Haven area teams.