December 24, 2005 on 2:03 am | In analysis | 2 Comments
man, heck of a day of hockey. And I was in the city with my siblings and cousin. So here’s what I’ve gleaned from e-mails and the like about one of the state’s busiest days:
Publics were 2-2-1 on the day against privates, including a landmark win for Ramsey over No. 16 Bishop Eustace. The Rams got two early third-period goals to break a 2-2 tie and hold on against a full-strength Crusader squad. In another intriguing public/private clash, No. 4 Don Bosco Prep beat No. 11 Randolph 4-2 at Aspen Ice in Randolph. The Ironmen had the better of play, including a 13-1 shot advantage in the second period, but the game was tied 1-1 into the third period. After falling behind 3-1, Randolph got a goal with 1:27 remaining, only to allow an empty-netter with 0:44 on the clock in the loss. Still, I don’t imagine it would have been an embarrassing state championship game.
Aside from Ramsey’s win, the NBIAL had a busy day. Preseason favorite Indian Hills edged league leader Fair Lawn 3-2, assuming internet reports are to be believed, while new division leader Ramapo beat Wayne Hills 4-1. Mahwah evened its league record with a 3-1 win over Pascack Valley behind a goal and an assist from Ralph Antonelli.
In the Gordon Conference, No. 8 St. Peter’s Prep improved its stock with a 3-0 win over struggling No. 5 Bergen Catholic. The Marauders got a goal and an assist each from forward Bryan Robinson and defenseman Justin Hudacko. In one of the night’s big games, contested at the remote outpost of Chill Out in Hackettstown, No. 3 Pope John kept things tight at the top with a 3-3 tie against No. 1 Seton Hall Prep. If Delbarton and Seton Hall Prep tie January 6, us rankings guys will really be in trouble. Finally, No. 6 St. John Vianney and No. 7 CBA battled to a 2-2 tie at Wall Sports Arena in a game that could leave the Shore A Division deadlocked.
Elsewhere in South Jersey, No. 9 St. Augustine Prep recorded perhaps the most impressive win of the day with a 7-0 shellacking of No. 15 Red Bank Catholic. Paper tigers or not, that’s a good scoreline, and in news mostly under the radar, the Hermits, traditionally so devoted to their name, have picked up a February game against No. 2 Delbarton. No. 10 Toms River North maintained its public bragging rights downstate with a 4-2 win over Brick Township, and first-year program Gloucester Catholic hammered struggling Brick Memorial 9-0. Finally, second-year team Southern Regional battled White Division contender Wall to a 3-3 tie in Shore C action. The Wall-Red Bank Regional game January 31 should now decide the Shore C title.
In the Northern Red, Tenafly got two third-period goals from Mike Kronfeld to tie No. 19 St. Joseph Montvale 3-3 at Mackay Rink. Vernon beat Bayonne 6-2. In the White Division, West Milford beat Lakeland 6-4 to win the regular-season series 1-0-1. But the Highlanders and Lancers, Northern Hills Conference rivals in most sports, could meet up to five times this season and are scheduled to meet Wednesday in the PCT semifinals if both win their opening games.
Finally, the first round of the SCIAA Tournament went pretty much as expected. Emerging first-year program Hillsborough (7-0) remained one of just six unbeaten, untied teams in the state with a 5-1 win over Pingry and advances to face defending champion and 13th-ranked Bridgewater-Raritan (6-0) in one of Tuesday’s semifinals. If you can name the other four unbeaten, untied teams off the top of your head, you need to start working either for Mike or for me. Montgomery and Ridge advanced to the other semifinal with 7-2 and 12-2 wins, respectively.
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Early in the season, just hope you had a Merry Chrsitmas and wanted you know that I appreciate your updates!
Comment by Glenn Shepherd — 25 December 2005 #
I just feel that RBC is getting a little underestimated because of that loss. They weren’t really putting it together and there’s no doubt that St. Augustine is the better team, but everyone can have a day off can’t they, especially after getting revenge on TRN last night
Comment by Steve — 7 January 2006 #