The West Haven Co-op Blue Devils faced the New Canaan Rams to kick off the 2022/23 Connecticut High School Hockey season (CHSHK).
The Blue Devils moved to a co-op program over the offseason due to lack of retiring players, co-oping with three towns: Shelton, Seymour and Oxford.
The West Haven team came into Bennett Rink Monday night on a high note after a solid preseason as the Rams came in fresh off a dominating 2021/22 campaign.
The first period was featured in thrilling shutout fashion from both sides, with zeros on the scoreboard going into the first intermission. The second period was a different story.
West Haven starting goalie Javed Ullah was over-worked to the extreme in the first period, under immense pressure he still managed to get 10 saves.
The second period had two Rams goals in the first 3:11, New Canaan's Doster Crowell finished it off to make it a 3-0 Rams led going into the third. The third period, as the entire game, saw heavy offense from the No.4 state-ranked Rams. Two more goals handed to Ullah would lead him to being replaced with newly acquired goalie Kyril Astravukh.
Astravuka played well in his Blue Devils' debut, notching 8 saves in 10 attempts.
Overall West Haven was outshot 44-10 in the game in what was an offensive no-show with an overworked defense.
West Haven will face Guilford at home for a Saturday match, as they look to get to 1-1 on the season.
WEST HAVEN SAVES:
Javed Ullah 29sv - 34sa - .853sv%
Kyril Astravukh 8sv - 10sa - .800sv%