Suffield Wildcats 2000 Connecticut Division II Ice Hockey State Champions

Northern Hockey Conference Co-Champions

Season Record 22-4

In the Division II State hockey Championship the Wildcats defeated Immaculate 1-0. Senior Co-Captain Pat Warwell scored the winning goal 448 into the third period. 2500 people saw the game at Ingalls
Rink.

It was the third consecutive shut-out in the state tournament. The Wildcats had 10 seniors.

In the first period Suffield outshot their opponent 9-1. In the third period Brett Giannuzzi cleared some room for Wardell who swooped in from the left corner to grab Brian Lukas blocked shot and flipped a backhander under goalie Mike Thomas (21 saves ) for the game winner.

Head Coach Dave Humiston said Wardwell has just been a wall. He dominated in the corners. He was also key on defense with some bone jarring hits.

First year coach Humiston decided to switch goalies for the tournament and Nate Sykes did the job.

Under first year head coach David Humiston and assistant coach Frank Giannuzzi, the Wildcat co-op had a memorable season in compiling a 22-4 record.

The co-op consisted of schools from Suffield , Windsor
Locks, and Granby.

They were 7-1 in NHC. They lost to Enfield 4-3 in league play-offs. They had split during the season. They had 2 shut-outs during the season.

However, in the state tournament, they had 3 shutouts, including the last 2 by one 1-0. In the first game they defeated Milford 3-2. They then shut
out both Stamford and Lyman Hall by a 4-0 score. Like any final, they battled Immaculate and won 1-0.

They became the first co-op to win a state tournament.