Powered by a stout defense and a strong offensive attack, the hockey team concluded their magnificent season 13-5-1, earning a semifinals berth in the FAA (Fairchester Athletic Association) tournament.
Head Coach John Hissick was excited to be back in action this season after the COVID-19 pandemic derailed 2021 and was pleased with how the team performed this season while facing a different type of adversity.
“Coming off of a season last winter during the height of COVID-19, I was hopeful that we could have a normal hockey season,” Coach Hissick said. “Although we did get to play 15 games, we played 10 of those in February and only one game prior to the winter break. So, the season had its challenges. Managing injuries, game planning, [and] preparing for the next opponent, sometimes without a practice all just added stress on our players. Despite all that, I am extremely proud of how this team handled it all, rising to all the challenges that were put in front of them.”
Following a razor-close 3-2 overtime win on Friday, Feb. 18, against the Storm of St. Luke’s, the Wyverns took on Hamden Hall Country Day School on Saturday, Feb. 19, on Ryan Gordon Hockey Night. The game took place at an outdoor alternate location, Simsbury Farms, and was played in front of a packed house of red and black fans galore. The team’s gas tank was tested at the beginning of what was their fourth game in six days, but the Wyverns got into a goal-scoring groove, cruising to a 9-2 victory over the Hornets. Freshman forward Nico Bromley shined with a hat trick and two assists while five other Wyverns lit the lamp in what was a memorable night for the KO community honoring Gordon ‘05’s life.
With a quick turnaround for the start of the playoffs in front of another raucous crowd at home, the Wyverns didn’t have ample time to game plan but were game against a durable Harvey School squad. Both teams split regular-season bouts one apiece, but there was an extra incentive of hype surrounding the final act of the trilogy taking place in the playoffs.
KO opened the scoring with two first-period goals from junior defenseman Cody Brew; however, the Cavaliers stormed back in the second period with a barrage of goals, taking a 3-2 lead into the second intermission. The Wyverns swiftly regrouped and got their equalizer on a beautiful feed from eighth-grade forward Lindsay Stepnowski to senior Co-captain Sean Gilland, regaining the momentum.
In a full 18 minute overtime period, both sides developed a multitude of chances with nothing to show for their efforts, until the clock hit 22 seconds. Senior forward Co-captain Aidan Aube’s wrist shot went five-hole past the Cavalier’s goalie, and the South Windsor Arena crowd erupted in exuberance. Junior goalie Matt Cote was terrific all night and made some acrobatic saves en route to KO’s first playoff hockey win in nearly 30 years.
Coach Hissick was immensely proud of his team’s fight throughout the game and ability to stay composed after losing the lead in the second period.
“It was an absolutely awesome experience to see our kids get the win,” Coach Hissick said. “The excitement of the team and the KO faithful going crazy in the stands. I’ll never forget it.”
In the semi-finals of the FAA tournament, the Wyverns traveled to Stamford in a matchup against the #1 seed King School on Thursday, Feb. 24. The home side held the advantage early and proved to be too much for the red and black, prevailing to a 5-2 victory and advancing to the finals, where they would win the championship.
Six seniors guided the team on their amazing run and their experience will be greatly missed next year.
“I think the leadership not only shown by [the seniors] but by our upperclassmen as a whole really helped us through the season,” Coach Hissick said. “They made the team inclusive of all its members and brought everyone together to be successful. I am proud of them all.”
The Wyverns have steadily improved their play since joining the FAA and took a major leap this winter after earning the #4 seed in the postseason tournament, a home first-round playoff matchup, and a semi-finals appearance. The future of KO hockey gleams bright and Brew, a rising senior, will be an exciting offensive force for the Wyverns in 2023.
