Beyond the Scoresheet

Scrimmage: RBC 4, MK 3

November 25, 2005 on 3:40 pm | In game recap | 1 Comment

The day after Thanksgiving has traditionally been my first hockey game of the season, since I am always in New Jersey for the holiday, and I made it to Aspen Ice in Randolph this afternoon to see Morris Knolls-Red Bank Catholic.

The game felt like a good start to the season, with intensity rarely seen in a preseason scrimmage and fast play despite the inexperience on both sides. Knolls was not at full strength, with only 17 players dressed, and RBC was rotating up to seven defensemen. The Caseys probably had a bit of a territorial and shot advantage, in my mind, and led 1-0 and 2-1 before Knolls tied it up each time. Both teams switched goalies midway through the second period, and the Golden Eagles took a 3-2 lead into the third period before RBC tied the game with a power play goal. The Caseys finally won the game with about 3:30 remaining, although Morris Knolls pulled its goalie down the stretch.

The contest felt like more than a scrimmage, and both coaches seemed cautiously optimistic about their team’s performance. Knolls is back in preseason action against Clifton Saturday night at 8, also in Randolph. RBC scrimmages St. Peter’s Prep Saturday night at 7:30 at the Armory before opening the season December 2.