West Hartford’s Conard High School boys hockey team defeated New Milford 3-1 to advance to their second straight Division III Championship Game.

Jack Eisenberg (#12) celebrates his goal. Conard vs. New Milford Division III boys hockey semifinal. March 17, 2025. Photo credit: Jack Fitzgerald

By Jack Fitzgerald

On Monday night, third-seeded Conard, the defending state champions, knocked off 10th-seeded New Milford to return to the Division III state title game for the second year in a row and the third time in four years.

Late in the third period, Conard led New Milford 2-1. But with 2:16 left on the clock, New Milford’s goalie took a dive, and Conard junior Jack Eisenberg was penalized for high-sticking, giving New Milford a crucial power play. New Milford head coach Hank Dietter immediately called a timeout, knowing this was his team’s best and final opportunity to force overtime.

Dylan Smith (#15) battles for a loose puck. Conard vs. New Milford Division III boys hockey semifinal. March 17, 2025. Photo credit: Jack Fitzgerald

Conard’s defense held firm. Goalie Brendan Murphy made multiple key saves, while New Milford appeared disorganized, struggling to pass efficiently or maintain possession in Conard’s zone. With 40 seconds remaining and 18 seconds left on the power play, New Milford pulled its goalie for a six-on-four advantage. However, Conard’s defense remained impenetrable.

Time expired on the power play without a change in score. Then, with just three seconds left, junior wing Torin McGoldrick buried an empty-net goal, sealing his team’s second straight title berth.

Conard dominated possession early, but it was New Milford’s John King who struck first at 8:46 in the opening period. With 6:08 left in the first, a New Milford player was called for tripping, giving Conard a power play. Eisenberg capitalized, firing the puck into the net to tie the game at 1-1.

Liam Alver (#4) levels a New Milford defender. Conard vs. New Milford Division III boys hockey semifinal. March 17, 2025. Photo credit: Jack Fitzgerald

The second period was all Conard. The Red Wolves outshot New Milford 18-3, relentlessly pressuring the Green Wave defense. At 9:18, Bradan Gainey finished off a well-placed feed from Nate Dubois, giving Conard a 2-1 lead.

The puck rarely left New Milford’s zone, and Murphy faced only four shots on goal. Despite this, New Milford sophomore goalie Tristan Kamp held firm, making several impressive saves and keeping his team within striking distance as they escaped the period down one.

New Milford found more rhythm in the third, but Conard refused to break. Senior defenseman Luke Shaffer and junior defenseman Dylan Smith anchored the blue line with gritty, physical play.

Brady Nauras (#7) prepares for a face-off. Conard won 15 of 32 faceoffs..Conard vs. New Milford Division III boys hockey semifinal. March 17, 2025. Photo credit: Jack Fitzgerald

In the middle of the third, McGoldrick found himself one-on-one with Kamp; Kamp again proved to be New Milford’s saving grace, robbing McGoldrick of a score.

This isn’t the same Conard team as last year. The program lost 11 seniors, which has been reflected in a slightly diminished record. Regardless, winning seems to be embedded in this team’s DNA.

Conard will now look to defend its Division III title this weekend at M&T Bank Arena at Quinnipiac University. They will face the JBWA on Saturday at 1 pm.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.