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 FCIAC Championship.

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%