Despite experiencing a tough, hard-fought 3-2 loss to non-conference opponent Xavier High School on Jan. 5, Greenwich High School’s varsity boys ice hockey team showed several positive signs throughout this matchup at Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink.

“I think our first period was phenomenal,” said Neal Rich, who is in his first season as head coach of the Cardinals. “We came out hard, hitting hard, skating fast, getting pucks on net like we like to do and using our speed, which is a big thing that we focused on this year.”

Effectively moving the puck on offense, while receiving stellar goaltending from junior Will Salib on the other end of the ice, the Cardinals put forth a strong performance in their 3-2 overtime defeat to Xavier, a squad that traditionally gives them a hotly contested contest each season they meet.

“We’ve lost to them by one goal the last two or three years,” Rich said of Xavier. “They’re always a good team, they come down here and work hard the puck didn’t bounce our way. We’re feeling good, especially after a good, hard-fought game like this.”

Junior forward John Meehan scored two goals for Greenwich, which led, 1-0, after the first period, before trailing, 2-1, following the second period of action. Trailing 2-1, the Cardinals knotted the score at 2-2 courtesy of Meehan, who scored off a strong rush up the ice with 4:14 remaining in the third period.

“That’s electric, that’s what sport is all about,” Rich said of the Cards’ game-tying goal. “Fighting back, being the underdog, getting that goal – it feels great for everybody.”

Meehan, who skated on a line including senior Teddy Johnson and Hayden Odelfelt, also a senior, has helped sparked Greenwich’s so far this season.

“Meehan is our leading scorer right now,” Rich noted. “That kid can fly. He’s quick, he’s got the hands, he’s a good solid player. When guys skate like that, it brings out the best in people around him.”

Rich takes over Greenwich’s varsity hockey program for Jack Duffy, who spent the previous five seasons at the helm.

“I feel really great about it, it’s something I’ve been working toward for a few years,” Rich said of becoming Greenwich’s coach. “I was the junior varsity head coach for five or six years and coach Duffy was a phenomenal example and role model. I’m really excited to take over and step into those shoes and keep the culture going for the team.”

Besides previously coaching Greenwich High’s junior varsity boys hockey team, Rich is the Greenwich Cardinals Youth Hockey Mite Program Director and Head Coach, Bantam Head Coach and the Skill Development Director.

Greenwich began its 2025-2026 varsity season with an 8-3 road victory versus Notre Dame Prep, then edged Simsbury in an away game, 3-2. Darien defeated GHS in the 2025 Winter Classic at Greenwich Skating Club, winning the game held outdoors on Dec. 27th. East Haven co-op’s team posted a 6-3 win over the Cardinals on Dec. 30th, so Greenwich’s record was 2-3 heading into their game today (Jan. 7) against Ridgefield at Winter Garden Ice Rink.

In Greenwich’s game against Xavier, it took a 1-0 advantage on Meehan’s unassisted goal with 10:05 remaining in the opening period. The Falcons evened the score at 1-1 when senior Tyson Jarvis received the puck off a pass from junior teammate Dillon Torneo and snapped a shot from close in past Salib, with 5:18 left in the second period.

Before Xavier tied the game at 1-1, Greenwich applied plenty of pressure on Falcons junior goalie Anderson Claffey. Senior forward/captain Teddy Johnson generated a shot off a breakaway that Claffey made a glove save on at the 12:12 mark of the second period.

Junior forward John Oliver registered a pair of shots on goal and senior William Flatow tested the Falcons’ goalie with a shot from between the circles, also in the second period.

With 4:40 to go in the second period, Johnson’s snapped a shot off a breakaway and the puck bounded off the crossbar.

“We hit a post and it went up, instead of down and in,” Rich noted. “Again, the puck bounces the other way and this is our game.”

Leading up to when the Cards tallied the equalizer in the third period to force overtime, Salib stepped up, turning away several shots that came his way.

“He’s our backbone right now,” Rich said of Salib. “He’s playing big, he’s playing big, he’s kept us in a lot of games. When your goalie is making saves like that, it makes you want to skate harder.”

Captaining the Cardinals are Johnson, senior defenseman Boden Farmer and senior forward Trent O’Neil. Farmer and O’Neil are currently sidelined with injuries. Rich said the team hopes to have Farmer back in possibly one month. O’Neil was recently injured for the Cardinals, who have battled through injuries during the young season.

“I think our defense played great, especially since we’re down three defensemen right now,” Rich noted. “We played really well with only six ‘D’ when we normally have eight or nine. They stepped up.”

The game-winning goal occurred with 7:17 remaining in overtime. Torneo found himself with the puck alone in front of the net and directed the puck inside the left post, giving the visitors the win.

Greenwich is coming off a 2024-25 season in which if finished with a record of 8-10-1 during the regular season, including a 4-6 mark in the always highly competitive FCIAC. The Cardinals qualified for the CIAC Division I Tournament and were defeated by Northwest Catholic, 2-1, in the first round.

“Our goal is to improve on our culture and be a team that’s respectful,” Rich said. “We want to stay out of the box and I think we did a good job of that. Always the end goal is to win FCIACs and the state title. At the end of the day, we want to play good hockey and get the kids playing their best hockey and be the best versions of themselves.”

For even more pictures from Greenwich’s home game against Xavier High School, please visit: https://www.06878photography.com/boys-ice-hockey-greenwich-high-school-vs-xavier-high-school-at-dorothy-hamill-on-january-5th-2026