It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Gores Pavilion gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in New Canaan, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I’ve booked back-up care for my two young children multiple times with ABC, and will”
“I booked Always Best Care through my Company's "Back Up Care" benefit. My Company's "Back”
“Alan is always there for us at all times with amazing care givers. He manages”
“Alan’s responsiveness in arranging home care far exceeded expectations. The home health aide”
“We had a lovely experience with Celenis! The company quickly swooped in to support us”
“In what was a tremendously difficult last few years caring for my mom with dementia,”
“This is a 5 star company. Their name is perfect. Always Best Care. The care”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. We needed someone to help mom get back on”
“Amy Crowley at ABC Senior Services did a terrific job helping me find a suitable”
“Professional and reliable in-home caregivers”
“Professional and reliable in-home caregivers.”
“Please welcome the newest Connecticut office of Always Best Care to Norwalk and Lower Fairfield”
“Excellent!”
“I’ve booked back-up care for my two young children multiple times with ABC, and will continue to reach out to them first any time I have care needs. Not only was my caregiver great, but the service and care I got from Alan was above and beyond. He is so responsive, invested and attentive - feel like I’m working with a friend/family. They really care about their care recipients and make you feel like a VIP. The caregiver we were assigned was not only sweet and warm, but she wouldn’t sit still and made sure she was always doing something helpful. Couldn’t be happier with the company or caregiver, and will work with them anytime the need arises.”
“I booked Always Best Care through my Company's "Back Up Care" benefit. My Company's "Back Up Care" can be a little tricky to use and sometimes difficult to get the care properly confirmed. I reached out to Alan the day before my booking and he did a tremendous job at making sure that I had appropriate care for my 5 month old and that I wouldn't have to stress. Our actual caregiver, Chyna was great. She arrived on time, was knowledgable, respectful, and friendly. We had no worries leaving our 5 month old in her care. I'd book with Always Best Care again.”
“Alan is always there for us at all times with amazing care givers. He manages changes and last minute needs as though our family member is his family. He is also there in person to make sure everything is going smoothly.”
“Alan’s responsiveness in arranging home care far exceeded expectations. The home health aide is amazing as well. Thank you ABC for providing exceptional service!!”
“We had a lovely experience with Celenis! The company quickly swooped in to support us with childcare and she went above and beyond caring for our son permitting us to focus at work!”
“In what was a tremendously difficult last few years caring for my mom with dementia, we burned through multiple agencies and aides. Only at the end did we find unmatched compassion and competence with Alan and his team of aides at Always Best Care. A lot of times the whole experience felt overwhelming, disjointed and end of life care system just plain broken. They were the one shining bright spot. Our family would recommend them in the highest order.”
“This is a 5 star company. Their name is perfect. Always Best Care. The care givers for my mom in her final months were gracious, considerate, compassionate and professional. I spoke with Alan many times telling him how thankful i was to have him and the outstanding service his company provided to my mother. My highest recommendation to Alan and his staff at Always Best Care.”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. We needed someone to help mom get back on her feet again after hip surgery and to be her companion for three weeks during Covid quarantine as she moved from rehab center back to her senior living apartment. All services were provided with the highest level of kindness, compassion and dignity and we are truly grateful for the help.”
“Amy Crowley at ABC Senior Services did a terrific job helping me find a suitable assisted living place for my Mom. She presented an array of good choices, gave me some very good advice about things to look for when I checked them out, responded quickly and completely to every question I had, and did all of this in the hurry done urgent circumstances required. No hard sell, just good knowledgeable work.”
“Professional and reliable in-home caregivers”
“Professional and reliable in-home caregivers.”
“Please welcome the newest Connecticut office of Always Best Care to Norwalk and Lower Fairfield County. If you know a loved one in need of care, please visit our website or call us anytime for a free no-obligation expert consultation.”
“Excellent!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Irwin Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local South End or visit New Canaan Museum & Historical Society, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in New Canaan, CT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in New Canaan, CT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in New Canaan, CT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
After five seasons which included a CIAC Class LL championship and the final No. 1 ranking in the 2023 GametimeCT Top 10 Poll, Adam Behrends is stepping down as the head coach of the Staples ...
After five seasons which included a CIAC Class LL championship and the final No. 1 ranking in the 2023 GametimeCT Top 10 Poll, Adam Behrends is stepping down as the head coach of the Staples football team.
Behrends will be heading west to take on a job with the University of New Mexico program, working with quarterbacks and wide receivers as an offensive analyst.
Behrends met with his Staples’ football players on Monday to break the news.
“Honestly, today I feel pretty sad,” Behrends said. “It was a bummer having to let the kids and the parents know, but everybody’s been really excited for me. They understand it’s always been something I’ve been interested in and in the back of my mind.”
Behrends joined the Wreckers in 2019 and has led the team to a 40-16 record which includes a 38-8 mark since 2021.
In 2023, Staples lost on opening night but then ran the table, finishing 12-1 and capping the season by avenging their only loss and beating West Haven 21-20 in the Class LL championship game. Behrends was named the New Haven Register and Walter Camp Coach of the Year that season, with his quarterback Caleb Smith taking Player of the Year honors.
Staples athletic director VJ Sarullo said Behrends impact at Staples went beyond the football field.
“On the field speaks for itself with the success and off the field, as good a coach as he is, he’s an even better person,” Sarullo said. “He connects with the kids so well and has been able to teach them life lessons along the way. Our loss is certainly his next spot’s gain.”
Behrends will join a new coaching staff at New Mexico, which hired Jason Eck as its head coach in December. Eck is coming over from Idaho, which made FCS playoff appearances in all three of his seasons.
Eck has brought over several assistants from Idaho, including Luke Schleusner, who coached Behrends at Minnesota State University, Mankato and will be New Mexico’s offensive coordinator.
Behrends said he and Schleusner stayed in touch and connected for the job in New Mexico.
“I’ve always stayed in touch with him, they got those jobs, and we had just gotten to talking about a week ago,” Behrends said. “Everything happened pretty quick. It checked a lot of boxes for me. I have some familiarity with somebody I would know there and it’s an opportunity to go and learn from a lot of guys who know a lot more about football than I do, and have been around the game a lot more than I have.
“It’s really something I couldn’t turn down as hard as it was”
The hardest part about leaving Staples and the connections he’s built in Westport is the kids, Behrends said.
“It’s the kind of kids we have, the kinds of families they come from, how invested the community is, and the support from the administration,” Behrends said. “I let them know this has been the biggest honor of my life and definitely the coolest thing I’ve ever had the opportunity to do.
Sarullo said replacing Behrends will be “a daunting task.”
“It’s going to be incredibly difficult to replace somebody like Adam and what he’s meant to the school and the kids,” Sarullo said. “Westport is a high performing district academically and athletically, so we understand that when people come here and are successful, they’re going to look to further their careers. That’s certainly what Adam’s doing and he’s going to do great.”
Behrends added that he will have his eyes on the Staples program while working in New Mexico.
“Staples is still going to be rocking without me,” Behrends said. “Nobody’s going to be rooting harder for these guys on the football field and in life.”
Feb 3, 2025
Reporter
Dave Stewart is a sports reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media Group who has been covering sports in Connecticut since 1996 and serves as the GameTimeCT writer for volleyball, girls hockey, wrestling and girls lacrosse. He has won multiple New England Newspaper & Press Association and Connecticut SPJ awards for writing and photography and is a member of the FCIAC Hall of Fame.
NEW CANAAN, CT — We don't yet know what teams will make it to the big game in New Orleans on Sunday, Feb. 9, but it’s not too early to scout the best places to watch here in New Canaan.If you want someone else to make the snacks or serve the beer, several sports bars in New Canaan are primed for the handoff. Kickoff in New Orleans is at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Feb. 9, but you'll want to get to your favorite spot earlier.Here are some area sports bars with enough screens that you won't miss a play:...
NEW CANAAN, CT — We don't yet know what teams will make it to the big game in New Orleans on Sunday, Feb. 9, but it’s not too early to scout the best places to watch here in New Canaan.
If you want someone else to make the snacks or serve the beer, several sports bars in New Canaan are primed for the handoff. Kickoff in New Orleans is at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Feb. 9, but you'll want to get to your favorite spot earlier.
Here are some area sports bars with enough screens that you won't miss a play:
Location: 72 Park St, New Canaan
Sunday hours: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Description: "Casual sports bar dishing up wings, hot dogs, and other comfort food, plus beer, wine, and cocktails."
Location: 10 Forest St, New Canaan
Sunday hours: 10:30 a.m. to close
Description: "Family-friendly, casual spot serving up classic American fare, with a bustling lunch and brunch."
Location: 15 Elm St, New Canaan
Sunday hours: 11 a.m. to close
Description: "Uncorked is the go-to for townies seeking delectable small plates perfect for snacking alongside a range of taps and craft cocktails; and, the newest addition to the family."
Location: 15 N Main St, Norwalk
Sunday hours: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.; bar 1 a.m.
Description: "The Blind Rhino is a popular, award-winning Sports Bar with two brick & mortar locations in Fairfield County, CT!"
Location: 100 N Water St, Norwalk
Sunday hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Description: "Located in The SoNo Collection...you can enjoy over 100 American-style dishes made from scratch daily, and the world's largest selection of draft beer with 130 taps."
Vinny's Backyard Restaurant and Bar
Location: 1078 Hope St, Stamford
Sunday hours: 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Description: "Family-friendly outfit serves pizza, wings & standard comfort eats, plus a bar and sports on TV."
This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.
The Board of Selectman recently appointed a new director of assessments and taxation and a new highway superintendent during a meeting.RJ Scofield, Patch StaffNEW CANAAN, CT — The Board of Selectman appointed Sebastian Caldarella as the town's new director of assessments and taxation and Charles Louis Boice as highway superintendent during a meeting Tuesday.Human Resources Personnel Director Cheryl Jones said she a...
RJ Scofield, Patch Staff
NEW CANAAN, CT — The Board of Selectman appointed Sebastian Caldarella as the town's new director of assessments and taxation and Charles Louis Boice as highway superintendent during a meeting Tuesday.
Human Resources Personnel Director Cheryl Jones said she and CFO Anne Kelly-Lenz spoke with Caldarella about filling an opening in the Tax Collector's Office, which is set to become available at the end of February.
Jones noted Caldarella has been with the town for over 20 years and runs a well-maintained office. He currently serves as assessor for the town of New Canaan.
"We would love to see him move in to taking over both offices," Jones said. "It is done around the state. We did check with legal to make sure that we met all requirements, and we do. We do also have a certified tax collector in the office, and we do have another one who is in the midst of being certified, so [Caldarella] will have a well-versed staff to support him in that role."
Selectman Stephen Karl commended Caldarella for his work ethic and noted he is "always toiling away" in his current position.
"You are one of the hardest working guys we have, Sebi, and you really really do an amazing job," Karl said, "and the history of your office and the work you've done over the years has been amazing, so I have no doubt that you can handle another role, so thank you for stepping up."
First Selectman Dionna Carlson also spoke highly of Caldarella's work for the town.
"I've been in his office a few times in the last year, had a few exciting things with tax abatement," Carlson said, "and my very first thing in office was the new assessments, so that was so much fun."
The board also appointed Boice to the position of highway superintendent, a position vacated last year by Mose Saccary after 44 years with the Highway Department.
A town official noted during the meeting Boice recently served as an Operator 3 Crew Leader, which in essence acts as a second-in-command for the department.
Boice has been with the department since August 2017, first as an Operator 2 before moving into his current Operator 3 position.
The board previously appointed James Peck, an equipment operator and crew leader, to serve as interim superintendent during the transition period. He will now move back to his original position.
Both Caldarella and Boice's appointments were unanimous.
DARIEN — Twists and turns have become the norm for the New Canaan and Darien boys ice hockey teams.They added another crazy chapter to the book on Saturday.No. 2 New Canaan scored all of its goals in the third period, including three in the final 4:36, and defeated No. 3 Darien 4-2 in front of a huge crowd at the Darien Ice House.Sophomore Jack Thompson had the equalizer on a power play, and junior Rog...
DARIEN — Twists and turns have become the norm for the New Canaan and Darien boys ice hockey teams.
They added another crazy chapter to the book on Saturday.
No. 2 New Canaan scored all of its goals in the third period, including three in the final 4:36, and defeated No. 3 Darien 4-2 in front of a huge crowd at the Darien Ice House.
Sophomore Jack Thompson had the equalizer on a power play, and junior Rogan Lowe put the Rams (8-0) in front for good when he scored after a Darien turnover with 3:31 on the clock. Lowe then added an empty-netter to complete a hat trick and nail down the win.
“It’s such a fun game to play,” Lowe said. “We definitely had the butterflies at first but going through the game, we realized that we just have to trust ourselves and make the plays. When they started to happen, we just made more of them.”
The two teams are back-to-back in the GametimeCT Top 10 poll, with New Canaan (8-0) at No. 2, and Darien (5-2) at No. 3.
Getting past the emotions of the rivalry game was key for both teams, and the Rams managed to get going in the final stanza.
“You pack the place and all of a sudden, they start doing stuff,” Jones said. “You try to bring them down. I get that this is big for you, but this is another game. It’s heightened emotions.”
And for New Canaan, it was a matter of getting in position and getting the puck to the net, Jones said.
“You’re trying to convince them that it’s not all 30-second Instagram clips,” he said. “To get to the point where you’re going to win consistently, you have to get to the front of the net.
Amazingly, the win marks just the third time since 2019 that the Rams have beaten the Blue Wave during the regular season. They’ve played 10 regular-season games during that span and Darien has a 5-3-2 edge.
However, New Canaan has had the better of the rivalry during the postseason, going 4-0 against Darien since 2019, a stretch which includes last year’s 6-1 rout in the CIAC Div. I semifinals.
“In a rivalry game with New Canaan like that, it seems like almost every game it’s going to come down to the end of the third period,” Darien coach Mac Budd said. “We said to them that good teams find a way to win. The good news is it’s January and we have plenty of time and plenty of season to work on some things and get better by the end of the year.”
Darien’s defense, which had allowed just nine goals in its first six games, blanked New Canaan through the first 35 minutes, while James Troy’s second-period goal staked the Wave to a 1-0 lead.
Lowe tied the game on a power play at 5:08 of the third, but Jack Marisca responded 38 seconds later to put Darien back in front.
Thompson tied it up at 2-2 with 4:36 remaining, scoring through a screen by Bryce Lyden and making the Rams 2-for-2 on power plays.
Lowe then put New Canaan ahead after the Rams forced a turnover behind the Darien net. Lowe scooped up the puck near the right pipe and scored.
The Wave pulled goalie Schafer Repsher with two minutes to play and Lowe capped the win with an empty-netter.
“We knew we just need to keep going,” Lowe said. “We knew we had the talent and we knew we would win the game if we just trusted ourselves. “I still don’t feel like(the hat trick) is real.”
Rogan Lowe, New Canaan: The Rams seemingly have a different star each game and this time, the stoplight went to Lowe. The junior delivered a hat trick which included the Rams’ first goal and the go-ahead tally.
“We’re deep. We play four lines and we could play five, but you can’t. They can all skate. The good thing about this group is that they just care about the group and that’s great. It’s fun to be a part of that.” - New Canaan coach Clark Jones
New Canaan 0 0 4 - 4 Darien 0 1 1 - 2 D - James Troy (Jack Marisca, Aidan Elders), 1:09 NC - Rogan Lowe (Bauer Gammill, Brayden Robie), 5:08 D - Marisca (Michael Kniffin, Troy), 5:46 NC - Jack Thompson (Bryce Lyden, Robie), 10:24 NC - Lowe, 11:28 NC - Lowe (empty net), 14:14 Saves: NC - Brendan Harmon 17; D - Schafer Repsher 15 Shots: NC - 19; D - 19 Records: New Canaan 8-0; Darien 5-2
203-292-6200
