I'm Ready For a New Season

After a very exciting and successful Winter Season, it's time to begin a new season and quite frankly, I'm ready for it. After the huge amounts of snow the area received and the rescheduling of so many games, how about giving us a break as the Spring Season is about to begin.

Time for warmer weather, time for the bats and balls to come out, time for Play Ball, peanuts, sunflower seeds, ah sitting on my bucket, my boy Wally(my angel dog) next to me - yes I'm ready.

The Spring Season is a short one. The games come fast and furious and rainouts mean sometimes playing everyday and it passes quickly. But trust me, I'm not rushing it. I relish this time of the year. I've always liked warm weather. Baseball was my favorite sport growing up. I could play it for hours.

So let's get started. Every team is 0-0. But soon that will all change and when the dust clears, we will emerge with State Champions. Yes -  I'm ready.

                                 Banner Championship Games at the Ingalls

All 3 Championship Games this year at the Ingalls Rink were fantastic. All 3 were exciting from start to finish. Great goaltending, pinpoint passing, phenomenal scoring plays highlighted the games, PLUS the crowds were huge and intense. The games had to be moved this year because Yale was home during the ECAC Hockey Tournament, Instead of playing games on Friday and Saturday, the games were played on 3 different days. Saturday afternoon's Div. 3 Champoionship started things off and this one was a dandy. Newington/Berlin/Manchester won the game 1-0 but was exciting from start to finish. Division 3 hockey has come a long way and I like the wide open style of play, plus the crowd was the biggest one for a D3 Championship to date.

The Division 1 Game came next and the Ingalls was sold out - usually is for this game - and this year it was the 4th meeting between the 2 teams - and the same team had won the first 3 - make it 4 as Fairfield Prep won the Title again.

And finally it was time for the Division 2 Game - I mean playing this game after the D1 game - who would come or who would care. But the parents and students did come - a huge crowd and they were treated to a Classic. The 2 teams left it all on the ice. Again the wide open style of play made for yet another exciting game. The game was tied as the final seconds ticked off. Fairfield Warde/Ludlowe was buzzing around the net. The Mustangs thought they had scored the game winner but the goal was waved off after a discussion by the officials as time had expired before the puck went in. The call was indeed correct as the green light came on which meant time had expired. The red light, which indicates a goal, cannot come on if the green light goes on. So all was well.

But in the OT, Fairfield Warde/Ludlowe came out flying, buzzing around the net, and then after a scramble in front, it happened! The official awarded a Penalty Shot because someone covered up the puck with their glove in the crease.

So the D2 Championship came down to 1 shot! Warde/Ludlowe, the 13th seed, scored the game winning goal on a Penalty Shot.

I wonder if the CIAC might think to play the Championships on separate days again.

                                         It Just Doesn't Get Old

The CIAC State Hockey Tournament comes to the Ingalls Rink at Yale once again, and for my mind, it just doesn't get old. The High School Hockey world will descend on Ingalls Rink for some great hockey games, Many times the Semifinals are even better than the Championship Games. Teams leaving it all on the ice trying to get to the Big Dance. The atmosphere is electric, the play on the ice intense and it shouldn't be any other way. Just to get to the Ingalls is quite an accomplishment for these teams. I applaud them all. If you get a chance, check out the Whale in New Haven, where High School Hockey will be alive and well as 3 Hockey Champions will be crowned.

                                              My Favorite Holiday

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. It has been my favorite one since I was a young boy. No, it's not just the great food that I eat(although it doesn't hurt) but it's the fact that I can spend the day with my family after of course broadcasting a high school football game and going out to breakfast with all my colleagues discussing the games of the day.

High School Football and Thanksgiving Day go hand in hand. Years ago it marked the end of the season. Today, Thanksgiving Day means teams trying to make the Playoffs, getting into the 2nd season.

The football season now has been extended into December, much to the dismay of the winter coaches who now may have to wait for some players still on the gridiron.

This year, 20 teams have secured playoff spots leaving 12. Some teams control their own destiny - win and get in - while others must win and will need help from other teams.

By early Thursday afternoon, 32 spots will be filled, Their 2nd season will begin the Tuesday after and who knows what can happen then.

So enjoy Thanksgiving Week, high school football, great food, but most important - your family and be thankful you have them. I know I will.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

                                       Let the Football Season Begin

Another High School Football season is about to begin. Scrimmages have been taking place all over the state and now it is time to begin the season. Every team starts the year 0-0. But that ends quickly.

WELI will begin coverage of High School Football on Thursday, September 13 when Hillhouse visits Foran in Milford and on Friday night, it's a battle of Indians when Guilford takes on North Haven at Vanacore Field in North Haven.

Scores will be rolling in from all over the state. Which teams get off to a good start and which teams will be 0-1 and searching for answers. The fun and excitement begins and goes all the way to the championships in December.

Which teams will make the "Big Dance" and stand tall in the end. Let the fun begin!