After a subpar first period, the Greenwich High School boys hockey team had a strong second period against North Haven on Wednesday night, outshooting its non-conference foe by a significant margin. However, the Cardinals’ shots-on-goal advantage in the second period didn’t result in goals, which is what coach Jack Duffy’s team has been searching for the first three games of the season.

North Haven scored early in the opening period and held the lead throughout on its way to recording a 3-1 win over Greenwich at Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink. The Cardinals’ record dropped to 0-3 on the young season, which has seen them score five goals over its first three matchups.

“We have a lot of work to do,” Duffy said. “I thought we played a really lethargic first period, I thought we played a great second period. My message to the boys was you have to play a 45-minute game. You can’t put in a partial effort and come out with a ‘W.’

North Haven, which was coming off a 5-4 overtime victory against St. Joseph, wasted little time in taking the lead in this non-conference game. Senior forward Will Sullivan’s unassisted goal 21 seconds into the first period gave North Haven a 1-0 advantage and the visitors proceeded to play from in front throughout.

Following a first period in which North Haven had the better of the play and tested GHS junior goalie Nick Sinisi, the Cardinals outshot the visitors, 16-4, in the second period. Greenwich had two power play opportunities during the second period, but didn’t capitalize.

“We told our boys after the first period that we wanted to see some emotion from them, a little bit more intensity and they showed it,” Duffy said. “The second period was the best period we’ve played so far, we outshot them 16-4 in the second, we just couldn’t bang one home. I thought the effort was excellent in the second period.”

Following a scoreless second period, North Haven extended its edge to 2-0 when Sullivan tallied his second goal, this one off a power play, with 13:20 left in the third period. Seniors Tommy Guidone and Owen Quick were each credited with assists on North Haven’s second goal. During the first and third period in which Greenwich was outshot, 30-10, Sinisi made numerous impressive saves, keeping the Cards within reach.

“I think we battled as hard as we could in the second period,” Sinisi said. “The first period. we looked a little shaky, but we just had to get our legs under us.”

The matchup marked Sinisi’s first start of the season. Senior tri-captain Cole Studwell started in goal for the Cardinals the opening two games against Fairfield Prep and Xavier.

“The boys were working as hard as they could, a few bounces didn’t go our way,” Sinisi noted. “I was excited and a little nervous going into the game. You just have to bear down in there – one take it shot at a time.”

The Cardinals closed to within 2-1 and seized the momentum when sophomore forward Gus McGarvey scored on a one-timer off a pass from junior Michael Orrico at the 10:57 mark of the third period.

The home team came close to tying the score, but couldn’t tally the equalizer. North Haven added empty-net goal with just 26.3 seconds left to play to seal the win and improve their record to 3-0 for coach Chris Avena.

Sinisi made 31 saves for the Cardinals, who were paced defensively by seniors Alex McGarvey and Matthew Rurak. Up next for Greenwich is the always much-anticipated Winter Classic, which is scheduled to take place on Dec. 29 at Greenwich Skating Club. The game, which will be held outdoors at Greenwich Skating Club will feature the Cardinals against FCIAC rival Darien.

“The Winter Classic, it’s a great game for us to look forward to and hopefully, we’ll get the ship righted here in the next week,” Duffy said. “We told the boys take a few days off and think about what we’ve done so far and where we need to be better.”

Said Sinisi: “I think we can build on all of our games, wins and losses and we’ll build off this.”