Norwalk connection helps girls to USA Hockey National Championships

Made up of players from all over the state, and led by a strong Norwalk connection, the Mid Fairfield Connecticut Stars U14 girls hockey team is headed to the USA Hockey National Championships in Detroit in early April.

The Stars recently captured the New England Regional Tier 1 championship to earn a berth in the national tournament. Under the instruction of head coach Moe Tarrant, a Norwalk resident, the Stars claimed the state title in February then skated to the New England title at The Rinks At Shelton earlier this month. The girls went 5-0 in the New England tourney, outscoring their opponents 33-3. They bested the Connecticut Polar Bears 3-1 in the opening round and then again 3-0 in the semifinals. They faced the New Hampshire Avalanche in the title game and dominated from the opening faceoff, winning 7-0.

With the win, the Stars are one of just 12 U14 squads among 200-plus teams in the country to reach the national tournament, said Tarrant, who founded the Stars' organization 15 years ago.

Among the team members, comprising players in grades seven, eight and nine, are two girls from Norwalk. Goaltender Annie DeFrino, a freshman at Greenwich Academy, and Nicole Lue, a freshman at Brien McMahon High School, represent Norwalk on a team that brings together hockey-playing enthusiasts from Danbury, Branford, Cheshire, Hamden and Torrington, among other Connecticut towns, as well as New York.

"I'm so excited. I've never been to nationals before. It's always been a dream and goal of mine to go," Lue said.

The Stars are guaranteed a handful of games within their bracket, and will take on a top-notch competitor from Pittsburgh, along with teams from Massachusetts and Michigan. The top teams will advance to play squads from other brackets as they work toward the semifinal and championship rounds.

"The games should be overtime, two, one-goal games," Tarrant said. "If we're all lined up right and do everything right, hopefully we can get to the crossovers and see what happens."

Tarrant has plenty of confidence that the Stars can have some success considering their recent play. They won the Connecticut Polar Bears Tournament a couple of months ago.

"We're as prepared a team as any team I've seen," said Tarrant, attributing the success, in large part, to the hard work of assistant Ryan Equale. Equale, a former player at Wilton High and former semiprofessional player, works with the offensive skaters on positioning.

As much as Tarrant believes his team can win, the coach knows that taking on the best teams from around the country in an unfamiliar setting will be a new experience for the skaters.

"I look forward to seeing their expressions," said Tarrant, adding that he expects the girls' eyes to be "bigger than the moon was a couple of nights ago when it was so close."

"It's some of the players' first time going to nationals so everyone is very excited. Although the competition is going to be very tough, we are all up for the challenge and can't wait to show everyone what we can do," DeFrino said.

They have an overall record of 41-5 and have earned a top-five ranking nationally. One of the keys to the team's success, Tarrant said, is chemistry.

Lue has played since she was six years old. She competes in the field hockey program at McMahon and would play lacrosse if not for the fact she had to give up time to commit to hockey.

"It's a huge commitment but it's worth it. I wouldn't trade it for anything," she said. "Hockey is my number one focus. I just love it."

Tarrant also coaches at Greenwich Academy and DeFrino plays for him there. She also plays soccer and lacrosse.

DeFrino plays a big role on and off the ice, communicating with players in the locker room to keep them focused, Tarrant said. Lue is a key player on penalty kills and power plays, and is a strong back-checker who is always in position.

Her father, Chris Lue, is the team manager and is impressed with the level of commitment of the Stars.

"In general, the commitment level is really just unbelievable," he added. "It's really nice to see it all come together."