Hall High Titans win 4-3 in OT against Suffield Wildcats  on Monday at Veterans Memorial Rink in West Hartford. 

Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance

By Kei Caudle

For a cold Monday night, the energy in the rink was alive. One fan, a junior from Hall High, described it as “energy-packed” as students pressed against the glass, cheering loudly. 

The contest was neck and neck, with excellent defense coming from both teams. With a five-game home stand from Hall, they showed this team who owned the rink. For the majority of the first period, the puck was centered around Suffield’s goal, with swift defense from Suffield’s goalie (72), Kyle Artz. Senior Ben Goldstein (22), and junior Ben Putnam, (34), both students from Hall, maintained clean shots at Suffield’s goal, with an attempted slap shot from No. 9 Jack Croce with the assist of Putnam. It wasn’t until minute 14 that one of the many shots taken resulted in a 5-hole goal from Wildcats No. 12, Brendan Morden, and the game was now at 1-0. 

Connor McHugh and Ben Goldstein face off against Wildcats Thomas Keating. Feb. 2, 2026. Photo Credit: Kei Caudle

Starting period 2, the precedent was officially set for this game, with a tense back-and-forth between the two teams. Matthew Bonner (1), Hall’s goalie, quickly defended against a shot from the Wildcats.  

The Titans were not shy with their attempts. No. 6, Connor McHugh, raced towards the goal barely two minutes in, but was swiftly denied by Wildcats goalie Kyle Artz. Incredible saves came from both teams, with No. 72 for the Wildcats catching the puck after Putnam made an excellent attempt at a goal with a touch-pass. 

Almost halfway into period 2, Brad Jennes (23) for the Wildcats scored an unassisted back-of-the-net goal from a long shot, putting the Wildcats up 2-0. Putnam made a shot at the goal, only for the net to be toppled over along with several members of the Wildcats. This earned a penalty for No. 37, James Nikolis, taking him out of play for two minutes.   

Ben Putnam and Ben Goldstein guard Wildcats Brendan Morden and Brad Jennes. Feb. 2, 2026. Photo Credit: Kei Caudle

Shouts filled the rink as Goldstein made a power–play goal for Hall with an assist from McHugh and Putnam, narrowing the Suffield lead to one with the score at 2-1. Hall kept a steady grasp on the puck, with an occasional break by the Wildcats. However, with two minutes remaining, Morden once again scored for the Wildcats, increasing their lead and the score at 3-1.  

Zachary Orsey and Matthew McDermott race across the ice against Wildcats Feb. 2, 2026. Photo Credit: Kei Caudle

The third and final period began with Zachary Orsery (19) and Matthew McDermott (10) crowding the puck. A tense longshot struck by the Wildcats was loosely blocked by Bonner. Hall was quick to attempt several shots, with Croce taking a hard shot, only to be blocked, three minutes in, and Putnam swiftly making a shift, resulting in a goal for the Titans, narrowing the Wildcats’ lead with the score at 3-2. 

With this new development, Hall’s team was filled with energy, and the puck was shot across the rink with vigor. Both teams put their best foot forward as the game slowly inched towards an end.

Hall’s defense line was broken up as Thomas Leahy (26) was boxed for two minutes, with a penalty for tripping. Charles DeBassio (18) took the lead as he raced across the ice, following the puck. With a quick 50 seconds left of the Wildcats penalty, McHugh scored another power-play goal for Hall, tying the score with barely six minutes left of the game.

Switching sides, the Wildcats were given a power play following the goal after Goldstein was given a penalty. The defense picked up as the seconds counted down, with Hall’s players hounding Suffield. The buzzer rang as the game was still knotted in a tie. 

Jordan Scher guards Wildcats Nick Santanella with Hall’s Zachary Orsey and Suffield’s Thomas Keating on defense. Feb. 2, 2026. Photo Credit: Kei Caudle

Both teams were visibly exhausted as they geared up for the final play in the eight-minute sudden-victory overtime period. Tensions were high, and the audience sat on the edge of their seats. Shots were made repeatedly on Hall, but Bonner, the goalie, blocked each one. Barely a minute into overtime, it was McHugh, seemingly the star of the night, who scored the winning goal, bringing the final verdict to 4-3 and a great end to the Titans’ night. 

Hall will travel to play E.O. Smith-Tolland at UConn’s Toscano Family Ice Forum, and then to Newington on Saturday.

Dillon McDermott jumps as Ben Putnam and Jordan Scher stand by the goal. Feb. 2, 2026. Photo Credit: Kei Caudle

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