WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — The Woodstock High boys hockey team thwarted a late push by the Hartford High Hurricanes to claim a 2-1 victory in a VPA Division II matchup at Wendell A. Barwood Arena on Wednesday night.

Two first-period goals from Wasps senior Ian Coates proved to be the difference.

Heading into the game, Coates said the first line — and specifically, he and sophomore Cole Little — were working on their chemistry.

“I think we were connected. That led to a couple of the goals,” Coates said.

Hartford Head Coach Todd Bebeau tells his team he recognizes their effort in the second period after giving up two unanswered goals to Woodstock in the first, and challenges them to make it a one-goal game in the final period in White River Junction, Vt., on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2026. Colin Morlock, 19, scored with 2:39 left of play, and Bebeau pulled the goalie to close out the game with a six-player offense, but the Wasps held on to win 2-1. JAMES M. PATTERSON / Valley News

Sophomore Declan Roylance added an assist for Woodstock, while Wasps senior goaltender Dominic Palazzo made 19 saves.

“It was a good battle all the way through. It’s been tilted scoreboard-wise the last couple of years, so it’s good to get back on the winning side,” Woodstock head coach Jon Chamberlin said.

“I thought we played really well, and obviously we got on our heels there at the end, but that’s hockey.”

Chamberlin told his team the game would come down to the final five minutes of the third period — and he was right, despite his squad taking an early lead.

Richard Rosenbeck, 12, of Hartford, smoothes things over with goalie Dominic Palazzo, of Woodstock, 1, after a tussle in front of the Wasps’ goal in White River Junction, Vt., on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2026. Woodstock won 2-1. JAMES M. PATTERSON / Valley News

Woodstock struck first on Coates’ goal through traffic past Canes junior goalie Nunu Mayer with 8:16 remaining in the first period.

Just over five minutes later, Coates struck again, weaving past defenders to give his squad a 2-0 lead with 2:53 left in the frame.

That lead lasted through the second period and most of the third, but the Canes did not go down without a fight.

With 2:39 remaining in regulation, junior Colin Morlock ripped a shot past Palazzo to bring his team within one.

After scoring the second of the Wasps’ goals against Hartford in the first period, Ian Coates, of Woodstock, gets a hug from Owen Marks, 6, left, as Decland Royalnce, 5, right, skates in to join the celebration in White River Junction, Vt., on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2026. Woodstock won 2-1. JAMES M. PATTERSON / Valley News

Down 2-1 with about 1 1/2 minutes left, the Canes pulled Mayer for the man advantage. They found themselves in a 6-on-4 situation after Coates took what he described as a “stupid penalty” with 1:09 remaining.

Palazzo stood tall and made key saves to secure the win.

“We have a short bench, and we’re all pretty gassed, but we stuck in there. We worked hard,” Coates said.

The Wasps improved to 3-6-2.

“The last two games, they’ve played two of the best coaches in the state, went to their rink and came out with a win,” Chamberlin said. “It’s good stuff to build on. We’re at the midway point. This was the first game of a new season.”

Woodstock will host Missisquoi Valley on Saturday at 5:15 p.m. Hartford (2-10) will face Burlington on Saturday at 7:20 p.m.