Perfect 10: Darien boys hockey remains hot; trounces Trumbull 8-0

SHELTON -- Lately, the Darien boys hockey team has had its cruise control set on win.

Since mid-December, Darien has gone 10-0, chalking up decisive victories with a potent offense, superb goaltending, and a stalwart defense. Wednesday's night's 8-0 drubbing of Trumbull at the Shelton Rink was no exception.

But a showdown looms.

Darien shares the top spot of the FCIAC with Ridgefield, both of whom own an 8-0 conference record. The two teams face off this Saturday at the Darien Ice Rink, and the outcome will likely decide the conference's top seed.

Darien feels ready to grapple with the Tigers.

"We know what they're about, and we're ready for them," captain Nick Bruno said. "We've had great practices, and we're in a groove."

With such a dominant performance against Trumbull (4-5 in the FCIAC, 10-6 overall), the Wave should feel good about its chances. As always, though, Darien strives to take no game for granted.

"Tonight was a danger game," Darien coach Chris Gerwig said. "We were overlooking this good, hard-working Trumbull team, and in the first period we were sloppy and they played very well."

Trumbull looked sharp in the first period by outshooting Darien.

The Wave finally came to life when, with just three minutes left in the frame, junior defenseman Dana Wensberg teed up a shot from the point that was deftly tipped in by teammate Trent Bergin who tallied two goals and an assist in the game.

Once Darien finally found the back of the net, the scoring came easy.

With a balanced attack, the Wave reeled off four goals in the second period. Two came from junior Brenden Hathaway, one from Bergin and the other from Jack Knowlton on a penalty shot. Knowlton and captain Hank Glick assisted on two of the goals.

The penalty shot was awarded when a Trumbull defenseman intentionally covered the puck in the goal crease in an effort to prevent a Darien goal.

"I have my classic little move," Knowlton said. "I just faked a shot, got the goalie faked, and went to my forehand around him."

The Darien juggernaut continued in the third period as sophomore Tommy Watters put away two goals, and Grayson Horan added one. Connor Davis, George Gregory, and Michael Casey all registered assists.

With the win, goalie Max Rothston recorded his second straight shutout and fifth of the season.

Neither team was a stranger to the penalty box as the Eagles were charged with six minor penalties and the Wave was whistled for three. Darien went an impressive three-for-six on the power play.

"We feel we are playing very good hockey at a time when you need to be playing your best, because playoffs are right around the corner," Gerwig said. "We didn't want to peak too early."

"At the same time, there are a lot of other good teams, and hopefully we can keep taking care of business," Gerwig said. "Sometimes we take a period off, like in this game we took the first period off, and their team didn't. We need to play consistent hockey for three periods. That is our biggest challenge."

On the heels of the Ridgefield game, Darien will face rival New Canaan on Tuesday. Asked if they are prepared to take on the Rams again, Bruno said confidently, "Oh yeah, we're ready for New Canaan."

Darien hosts Ridgefield at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Darien Ice Rink. The New Canaan game takes place on Tuesday at 4 p.m. also at Darien Ice Rink.

"I think we're all playing together; we're not being selfish," Glick said. "We're keeping our eyes on the prize of getting the first seed in the FCIAC."