<p>NO. R-374. HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE 2008 ESSEX HIGH SCHOOL HORNETS’ DIVISION I CHAMPIONSHIP BOYS’ ICE HOCKEY TEAM.</p><p>(H.C.R.241)</p><p>Offered by: Representatives Myers of Essex, Evans of Essex, Heath of </p><p>Westford, Hunt of Essex and Jerman of Essex </p><p>Whereas, the Essex High School Hornets boys’ ice hockey team, the defending Division I champions and the winner of 12 prior state titles, has a proud history of athletic achievement, and</p><p>Whereas, the 2007–2008 Hornets, based on their strong, regular season performance, were awarded the first seed for the post-season tournament, and they progressed smoothly to the championship game at the University of </p><p>Vermont’s Gutterson Fieldhouse against their cross-county rivals, the </p><p>Champlain Valley Union High School (CVUHS) Redhawks, and</p><p>Whereas, much of the championship game’s offensive action occurred in the first period, during which the Hornets’ Tyler Peckham scored his team’s opening goal, and teammate Brian Pearl scored Essex’s second and third points while the Redhawks shot the puck into the net successfully just once, and</p><p>Whereas, following a scoreless second period, the third period proved decisive as CVUHS, with 10 minutes remaining in regulation play, scored its second and final goal, but the Hornets were not to be denied their third consecutive, and 13th overall, state championship as Mike Abbott scored </p><p>Essex’s crucial fourth and final insurance goal later in the period and enabled </p><p> www.leg.state.vt.us NO. R-374 Page 2</p><p>Essex to finishing the contest with a 4–2 victory and the 2008 Division I state title, and</p><p>Whereas, Essex goalie Brandon Reagan’s 12 saves was a key contributing factor for the Essex victory as was the sturdy playing of Hornets Bryce Currier,</p><p>Thomas Dvorak, Jake Orr, Tim Carpenter, Cullen O’Neil, Tyler Peckham, </p><p>Stevie Mone, Brendan Neal, Jacob Begnoche, Sam Martin, Dan King, Bobby </p><p>Fisher, Scott Tanghe, Alex Godin, Mike Abbott, Kaleb Lamos, Ben Pearl, </p><p>Kyle Murdock, Ethan Clark, Nick Cheney, and Chase Congreves, and</p><p>Whereas, the instructive leadership of head coach Bill O’Neil and assistant coaches Jay Parent and Nick Mone and the administrative assistance of team manager Shaun Connolly and statisticians Leah Murdock, Amanda Abbott, and</p><p>Grace O’Neil were each important, now therefore be it</p><p>Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives: </p><p>That the General Assembly congratulates the 2008 Essex High School </p><p>Hornets’ Division I championship boys’ ice hockey team, and be it further</p><p>Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Bill O’Neil at Essex High School.</p><p> www.leg.state.vt.us</p>