Greenwich Academy places second at Skip and Dolly Howard Invitational hockey tournament, winning two of three games

By David Fierro on December 19, 2022 • ( Leave a comment )

Contributed photo: Greenwich Academy placed second at the Skip and Dolly Howard Invitational in Rhode Island.

Greenwich Academy’s ice hockey team continued its highly impressive start to its 2022-2023 season by placing a strong second at the Skip and Dolly Howard Invitational, held at St. George’s School in Middletown, Rhode Island, over the weekend.

The Gators posted a record of 2-1 in the competitive tournament, defeating Austin Prep and North Yarmouth in the first two rounds, before losing to host St. George’s School in the championship game.

The tournament began with Greenwich Academy edging Austin Prep in a marathon 7-round shootout. Peyton Williams scored in the second period, giving GA a 1-0 lead over Austin Prep.

A goal by Austin Prep at the end of the second period tied the score at 1-1. Following a 5-minute overtime session, the score was still knotted at 1-1, so the game went to a 3-round shootout.

Contributed photo: Liana Seeley was outstanding in goal for Greenwich Academy in the tournament.

After a 3-round shootout, it was still tied, so it went to another 4-rounds and GA emerged victorious after seven rounds. In the shootout, Kate Hall, Chloe Cleaves scored, then Peyton Williams scored the shootout game-winning goal. Lianna Seeley made 27 saves during the game, then posted five saves in the shootout.

In the second game of the tournament, GA turned back North Yarmouth Academy, 2-0. Molly Roth gave Greenwich Academy a 1-0 lead off a rebound shot from Cleaves in the first period. Ellie Volpe added an empty-netter in the final seconds of the game.

Seeley registered 24 saves in the winning effort. Winning the first two games of the tournament advanced Greenwich Academy to the championship game against St. George’s School. The first period of the tournament’s championship game ended in a scoreless tie. St. George’s took a 1-0 advantage off a power play goal in the second period. Host St. George’s wound up posting a 4-0 victory to capture the tournament title.

Contributed photo: Greenwich Academy has had a solid start to its season.

“The Gators fought hard to the finish in all of the games as a team and we couldn’t be more proud of them than we are now,” Greenwich Academy coach Erin Brawley said. “The way they finished this first half of the season will help us build momentum going into the second half in January. We look forward to a fun and exciting finish to the season.”

Greenwich Academy is in action again on January 5 against Greenwich Country Day School at Chelsea Piers Connecticut in Stamford. The puck is scheduled to drop at 3 p.m.