A Sussex County ice hockey tradition which dates back to 2006 will continue on Wednesday night on Skylands Ice World, with the semifinals of the 13th annual Sussex Cup set to take place.
The tournament includes all four Sussex County-based public school teams, which are Vernon, Sparta-Jefferson, High Point-Wallkill Valley, and Newton-Lenape Valley.
On Wednesday night, the semifinal matchups will be High Point-Wallkill Valley vs. Newton-Lenape Valley at 6 p.m., followed by Vernon vs. Sparta-Jefferson- a rematch of last year’s final- at 8 p.m.
Vernon comes into the tournament as the two-time defending champion, as it edged Newton-LV in overtime in 2016, before rolling to a 6-2 win over Sparta-Jefferson in last year’s final. It has won three titles overall, as it also won the first-ever tournament back in 2006.
According to NJHockey.org, Sparta won six straight titles from 2007-2012, before Newton-Lenape Valley broke the streak with its first title in 2013. Sparta also won in 2014, giving it a total of seven Sussex Cup titles, Newton-Lenape Valley and Vernon each have two titles, while High Point-Wallkill Valley is the only one of the four teams to never have won the tournament. However, Sparta will look to win for the first time since it began its co-op agreement with Jefferson two seasons ago.
The tournament will conclude on New Year’s Eve, with the third place game slated for 10 a.m., followed by the final at noon. Both games will be played at Skylands Ice World in Stockholm.
The Morris-Sussex Hockey Report will have live updates on Twitter (@MorrisCtyHockey) as well as a full story from Monday’s final!
2018 SUSSEX CUP SCHEDULE
SEMIFINALS
Wednesday, Dec. 26 at Skylands Ice World, Stockholm
Newton-Lenape Valley vs. High Point-Wallkill Valley, 6 p.m.
Vernon vs. Sparta-Jefferson, 8
Monday, Dec. 31 at Skylands Ice World, Stockholm
THIRD PLACE GAME
10 a.m.
FINAL
12 p.m.
The Morris-Sussex Hockey Report 