By Darby Hudd – Sports Editor

This year the Milford Indians co-op hockey team has the ultimate goal of making it to states once again.

Last year the Indians went 13-9-1 and made it to the semifinal round in states, where they eventually fell to Amity 5-4. This year, they’re looking to redeem themselves.

“Our overall goal is to get those eight wins and make it to the states playoffs,” senior Charles Knights said. “We also are trying for a division title.”

The team has been training hard for the upcoming season, starting in the summer with conditioning and captains’ practices.

“I wanted the boys to be able to keep up the intensity the entire game, so we started captains’ practices earlier this year,” senior captain Jarrod Butts said.

The team has seven seniors, four of which attend Law. All four of them said the year is already moving too fast.

“Playing as a senior already is unreal; the time is flying by,” senior Colin DiPisa said. “Before we know it, it’s going to be senior night.”

The seniors have been playing together on the Indians for the past four years, and some also play together on a travel team in the offseason.

“I’ve made such a bond with all the boys, we are more like brothers now,” senior Brady Dennigan said. “It’s sad knowing it’s my last season with them.”

The seniors have also had to step up and help lead the underclassmen. With a handful of new teammates the seniors are really trying step up.

“We’re trying hard to become a closer team,” Knights said. “Chemistry is key on and off the ice.”

With 28 members on the team, the captains say it’s hard to pick just a few key players.

“Without just one person we wouldn’t be able to get the job done,” Butts said. “Everyone is extremely important.”

The SCC is one of the toughest conferences in the state, so the Indians have some tough matches coming up this season.

“Our biggest competitor is probably Branford, considering we beat them to knock them out of the state tournament last year,” Knights said. “They’ll be looking for revenge on us.”

Butts thinks that the team will have to fight for every win because of how competitive all the teams are.

The Indians open up their home schedule at the Milford Ice Pavilion on Saturday, December 20. The team is really looking for everyone’s support this season.

“The team can’t wait to see all the fans ready to support at our games,” Dennigan said.