Lyman Hall, Conard Upset Top Seeds, Reach CIAC D2 Final

This article recaps the CIAC Division II hockey semifinals at Quinnipiac University. Fans saw Lyman Hall pull off a dramatic upset over Cheshire, while Conard blanked East Haven Co-op 2-0.

Late drama defined the Lyman Hall-Cheshire matchup. Conard’s defense held strong all night, and now both teams find themselves chasing the state title this weekend.

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Lyman Hall stuns Cheshire to reach the Division II final

Lyman Hall broke a 1-1 tie with a wild finish. They rattled off three goals in the last 7:07, pulling away from top-seeded Cheshire.

The Trojans, 16-6-1 and ranked No. 4 in HNIB’s Division II Top 8, took over in the final minutes. They leaned on a balanced attack and a standout night in net.

What turned the tide in the final stretch

Cheshire jumped ahead first on a Zachary Hooper goal. Lyman Hall answered, setting the stage for a furious finish.

George Porto found the net twice. Brothers Liam and JJ Laffin each scored, putting the game out of reach.

Owen Hamm made 27 saves, shutting the door late. With this win, Lyman Hall sits one step away from its first state title since the 2019 co-op championship. That sent a surge of excitement through communities from Wallingford and Cheshire to Hamden, where the game played out.

George Porto – two goals
Liam Laffin – scored the go-ahead tally
JJ Laffin – added a late insurance marker
Owen Hamm – 27 saves in the win

Conard advances to the Division II final with a 2-0 win over East Haven Co-op

No. 11 Conard grabbed an early lead and didn’t let up. They knocked off No. 2 East Haven Co-op 2-0 and punched their ticket to the championship.

The Red Wolves’ shutout said it all. Their defense and timely goals made the difference, and now they’ll play for it all.

Defensive resilience and key moments

Nathan Dubois kicked things off for Conard at 8:38 in the first period. That early goal set a pace East Haven just couldn’t quite match.

With under a minute left, Nicholas Alonzo fired an empty-netter with 20.8 seconds to go. That iced the 2-0 win for Conard.

Conard moves to 16-9 and heads to the final. They’re chasing a third straight state crown after two Division III championships.

Nathan Dubois – opening goal to start Conard’s rhythm
Nicholas Alonzo – empty-net clincher
Conard aiming for a third straight title after two Division III crowns

East Haven came in with a 20-4-1 record and had a tough road test. The semifinal showed just how much Connecticut’s smaller programs can punch above their weight when it matters most.

Looking ahead: what this means for the Division II final and Connecticut hockey

Lyman Hall and Conard will face off in the Division II final. Fans all over Connecticut are watching closely—will we see a new champ, or will Conard keep their streak alive?

These games have pulled in attention from big and small cities: Cheshire, Wallingford, Hamden, West Hartford, East Haven, and New Haven are all in the mix. The semifinals also gave a nod to programs from Meriden, Hartford, and Fairfield, where high school hockey means something and local pride runs deep.

As the final approaches, you can feel the buzz in towns like Cheshire, Wallingford, Hamden, and West Hartford. Fans are counting down to the championship at Quinnipiac University in Hamden.

If Lyman Hall keeps up the late-game firepower they showed against Cheshire, maybe we’re in for a new twist in Division II hockey. Or maybe Conard’s run continues. Who knows?

Connecticut towns rallying around the teams

Cheshire
Wallingford
Hamden
West Hartford
East Haven
Meriden
New Haven
Hartford
Bridgeport

Here is the source article for this story: Connecticut HS Hockey – CIAC Division 2 Semifinals Recap: Top 2 Seeds Cheshire, East Haven Co-op, Come Up Short; Lyman Hall, Conard Advance To State Final

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