Greenwich skates past visiting Hamden, behind two goals from Sophia Roth, one tally from Peyton Jelinek for sixth win of the season

By David Fierro on February 11, 2023 • ( Leave a comment )

Photo by David Fierro: Peyton Jelinek, of Greenwich, left, in action during a game for the Cardinals last month. Jelinek had a key goal for the Cardinals in their win against Hamden co-op on Feb. 11, 2023.

Senior captains Sophie Roth and Peyton Jelinek combined for three goals to lead the Greenwich High School girls ice hockey team to a hard-fought 3-2 win over a tough Hamden co-op team today at Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink in Greenwich.

Roth, a forward, who recorded a hat trick in the Cardinals’ 3-3 tie against Amity/Cheshire/North Haven on Tuesday, continued her scoring surge, tallying twice in the team’s home victory today.

Jelinek posted one goal and one assist for Greenwich in the non-conference game.

“We probably played our best game of the season from start to finish,” Greenwich coach Doug Jebb said. “Every single player persevered. We came back twice from a one-goal deficits, just like our last game vs. Amity and got the go-ahead goal to start the third.”

Photo by David Fierro: Greenwich senior goalie Hannah Kunschner makes a save during a game for the Cardinals earlier this season. She had another strong game in goal in a win vs. Hamden co-op on Feb. 11, 2023.

Hamden co-op took a 1-0 lead with 9:54 left in the first period on a goal from Vanessa Shea, then Greenwich tied the score on Roth’s tally off assists from senior captain/forward Caroline Lawrence and Jelinek at the 6:34 mark of the opening period.

In the second period, Hamden went ahead 2-1, but the Cardinals again knotted the score when Roth notched a goal off an assist from junior defender Lindsay Allen. Jelinek scored the game-winner with 12:09 remaining in the third period. Hannah Wahl, a defender and Lawrence set up Jelinek’s go-ahead goal.

“We received strong forechecking from all three lines and solid and aggressive defense from Lindsay Allen, Hannah Wahl and Lexi Carino,” Jebb said. “This season, our skaters have stuck with the plan to be patient and try to get better each day. We’re playing our best hockey at the end of the season, which is every coach’s goal from the start.”

Sophie Roth of Greenwich (No. 2) pictured here during a game against Darien, had two goals today vs. Hamden co-op.

Senior goalie Emma Kunschner was in top form once again, making 25 saves in the winning effort. Greenwich is in action again Wednesday against Darien at Darien Ice House in its regular season finale.

“I’m very proud of the team’s effort,” Jebb said. “We’re consistently getting scoring from the top line with Sophie Roth leading the way with two goals after a hat trick in last week’s 3-3 tie vs. Amity.”