World Hearing Day

Tips for Preventing Hearing Loss

Take a trip to Wright’s Farm in Blackstone Valley, R.I. Thursday, April 20 for an allyou-can-eat classic chicken dinner. Stroll the gift shop and keep your winning streak going with a visit to Bally’s Twin River Casino. For age 18-plus. Cost is $99 for residents, $109 for nonresidents. Trip will depart from North Haven Senior Center. For more information, call the Senior Center at 203-239-5432.

Tax credits, exemptions

The North Haven Assessor's Office is taking applications for Additional Veterans Exemptions through Oct. 1. If you are not sure if you need to renew this year, contact the Assessor’s Office at 203239-5321 or assessor@north- haven-ct.gov. The North Haven Assessor's Office is taking applications through May 15 for tax credits for elderly homeowners and the disabled. Applications must be submitted every two years to continue benefits. If you are not sure if you need to renew this year, contact the Assessor’s Office at 203-239-5321 or assessor@ northhaven-ct.gov.

Housing plan

A draft of North Haven’s 2022-27 Affordable Housing Plan is available on the municipal website. The state require that all 169 Connecticut municipalities prepare and adopt an affordable housing plan at least once every five years. The statute requires that the plan specify how a municipality intends to increase its number of affordable housing options.

Walking program

The Bobcat Stride, a free walking program, is open to people age 50-plus. Walkers meet weekdays from 6 to 9 a.m. at Quinnipiac University’s North Haven campus, 370 Bassett Road. For more information, contact Katie Picard at Katherine.Picard@ qu.edu.

Energy assistance

North Haven’s Office of Community Services welcomes residents to schedule an appointment to apply for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program. Call 203239-2566.

Fire Explorers

Comprised of high school students age 14 to 18, the North Haven Fire Explorer program provides opportunities to explore a career path in emergency services as a firefighter, EMT or paramedic. Email NOHFDExplorers@gmail.com or visit northhavenfire.org.

Food bank

The North Haven Community Services Food Bank has a constant need for: mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, coffee, tea, tuna, soup, Chef Boyardee products, instant mashed potatoes, cookies, crackers, macaroni and cheese, protein and granola bars, trail mix, nuts, jerky, peanut butter and graham crackers, dried fruit, fruit snacks, fruit cups, canned fruit, applesauce, juice boxes, pudding cups, peanut butter, jelly, Pop Tarts, cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix and syrup. Items can be dropped off at the Department of Community Services office, Town Hall Annex Building, 5 Linsley St., Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Wellness expo

Exhibitors and speakers are sought for the 10th Bi-Annual Passport to Health & Well- ness Expo, which will be held April 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at The Bristol DoubleTree by Hilton. Also, vendors are sought for expos taking place May 21 and Sept. 17 at the VFW in Plainville. Contact Shirley Bloethe at 860989-0033 or yourholisticevents@gmail.com, or visit yourholisticevents.com.

Ski club

The North Haven Ski Club encourages people interested in winter sports to join and take advantage of the great discounts offered to members. Contact Annette Murphy at 203-927-3071 or dapdmurph@aol.com.

Clothing donation

Bring your used clothing donations to Hope Christian Church, 211 Montowese Ave. Hope Christian Church is partnering with St. Pauly Textile Inc. to provide a wood-frame drop-off shed for community use. Accepted items: clothing, shoes, belts, purses, blankets, sheets, curtains, pillowcases and stuffed animals.

Theater

Castle Craig Players, Meriden is celebrating its 30th season. All shows on sale now: “Doubt: A Parable,” March 10 to 19; “The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On,” May 5 to 20; “Into The Woods,” July 28 to Aug. 12. For ticket information, visit castlecraigplayers.org.

Mentoring

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut is an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the 119-year-old national youth mentoring organization. Based in Hartford, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut offers lifechanging programs to at-risk children in all of the state’s 169 municipalities. Learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters by visiting ctbigs.org.

Sheehan’s season ended at 6-13-2.

“We knew we were the underdogs, sneaking into the playoffs," said Sheehan head coach Dave Festa. “At first, we were looking for positional play, just trying to beat them to the puck, but they were faster and just got into the dirty area and got some good shots.”

Indeed, North Haven’s first shot on net was something of a warning bell. It came nearly two minutes in and ricocheted off the crossbar and nearly bounced in before it was cleared by the Sheehan defense.

The Nighthawks attempted five shots before Sheehan was credited with one nearly five minutes in.

Just past the halfway mark of the first period, North Haven’s Alex Peterson broke the ice courtesy of a great setup by fellow senior William Sullivan, who wrapped the puck around from behind the net to an unmarked Peterson in front of the crease.

The Nighthawks wasted no time in extending their early lead, finding the back of the net again just 28 seconds later as junior Nolan Cole finished a beautiful passing sequence with sophomore Bryce Montabana and freshman Bryce Mastriano.

Down 2-0, the Titans tried to regain their composure after North Haven's early onslaught. The two teams traded chances for the better part of the remaining seven minutes of the period, with neither side able to convert

With time ticking down,

Sheehan goalkeeper Michael Fritz made a stunning save that electrified the visiting crowd. As the puck ricocheted towards the goal mouth, Fritz swatted the puck out of midair to prevent a sure-fire goal for North Haven.

Despite Sheehan's valiant efforts, North Haven had the edge in shots, outshooting the Titans 17-6 in the opening frame.

The start of the second period was briefly delayed to address an issue with the ice, but did little to slow down North Haven's high-flying offense.

Just 1:36 into the period, Sullivan, who had set up North Haven’s first goal, sniped a perfectly placed shot to the top right corner. Assisting were Peterson and senior Owen Quick, who showcased their slick passing skills to set up Sullivan's tally.

North Haven was far from done. The Nighthawks again struck quickly just 10 seconds later. Montabana took advantage of a defensive miscue by Sheehan to score an unassisted goal.

Following North Haven's quick-fire double, the Sheehan coaching staff assessed its options and made the decision to pull Fritz and replace him with Justin Lyon. While Fritz had made some good saves, he had allowed four goals and faced a barrage of 19 shots. Lyon was tasked with the unenviable challenge of trying to keep the Titans in the game. The goalie change seemed to revive the Titans. They buckled down defensively and began throwing their weight around with some big hits. The game settled into a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading chances and playing a physical brand of hockey.

With just under three minutes left in the second period, the game took a chippy turn when Peterson of North Haven and Tyler Connery of Sheehan were both sent to the box for roughing after a scuffle.

The resulting 4-on-4 gave both teams some extra space with which to work. The Titans needed to make the most of the opportunity if they hoped to cut into North Haven's 4-0 lead.

It didn’t happen. Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the waning moments of the second period and the Nighthawks maintained their stranglehold on the game, outshooting Sheehan 29-13.

The third period got off to a rocky start. A North Haven player collided with Lyon in the crease, causing a brief stoppage in play.

Once the game resumed, it didn't take long for North Haven to extend the lead to 5-0, with Peterson scoring his second goal of the game with 10:37 left. The Titans were reeling, and things only got worse from there.

Sullivan potted his second goal at 9:48 off an assist by Quick.

The Nighthawks had been firing on all cylinders throughout the game, and now they were putting the finishing touches on what had been a dominant performance.

North Haven showed no signs of slowing down as the game continued to wind down. With 8:51 left on the clock, junior Ben Gilbert found the back of the net to extend the Nighthawks' lead even further. The play was set up after the puck was lost under the Sheehan goalkeeper, and Gilbert was in the right place at the right time to finish it off.

North Haven's Alex Peterson had already had an outstanding game with two goals under his belt, but he wasn't done yet. With 4:43 left on the clock, Peterson completed his hat trick with another goal. The goal came on a power play after Sheehan was called for a slashing penalty. His brother Bryce Peterson got the shutout with 22 saves.

North Haven's suffocating defense had effectively shut down Sheehan's attack, while their own offensive firepower had proved to be too much for the Titans to handle, outshooting the Titans 41-22.