FARMERS BRANCH – Falling behind by five goals, the Coppell hockey team’s rally fell short in a 6-3 loss to Mansfield on Thursday night at the Children’s Health StarCenter.

“It was tough to lose our seven game winning streak going into state,” Coppell senior defenseman Camden Restivo said. “But we’re in states and they aren’t, so it doesn’t really matter at the end of the day.”

Coppell faces Flower Mound/Marcus today at 5:45 p.m. at the Children’s Health StarCenter in Mansfield in the first game of the Texas Amateur Hockey Association (TAHA) State Tournament. 

Mansfield continued to score goals throughout the second period, putting Coppell in a 5-0 hole. However, senior defenseman Camden Restivo got Coppell on the scoreboard with 4:45 left in the second period by scoring against Mansfield, ending the second period with a score of 5-1.

“[The game] didn’t go as we planned,” Coppell senior forward Marlee Sprott said. “But we’re playing state tomorrow, and this game doesn’t mean anything for us, so we took it easy to save our energy.”

Coppell persevered nevertheless. With 2:15 left in the third period, Restivo scored against Mansfield again, bringing the score to 5-2. Just over a minute later, with 58 seconds left in the final period, Coppell sophomore defenseman William Lehman scored another goal, before Mansfield scored one final time – ending the game with a score of 6-3.

Leading scorer for Coppell was Restivo with a total of two goals, one in the second period and one in the third period.

Coppell hockey has not qualified for the TAHA State Tournament since 2016, in which they placed third.

“We got a good chance at it,” Coppell senior forward Kaamil Jiwani said. “We beat every top team in the league so far, so as long as we play our best, we can do it.” 

The TAHA State Tournament opens today and concludes Sunday at the Children’s Health StarCenter in Mansfield.

Although the game ended in a loss, what many found most memorable was the acknowledgement of the seniors and their accomplishments throughout their hockey careers. Known as Senior Night, this sentimental process showcased the seniors’ efforts alongside parents and Coppell High School Principal Laura Springer.

“It shows how each of the players have grown, where they are going to go in life and how hockey has molded them.” Restivo said.

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