Bergen Catholic 4, Delbarton 1
For the second straight year, Delbarton suffered a three-goal loss on opening night- this time to Bergen Catholic- as the Crusaders scored three times in the second period to take control.
Chase Pirtle scored the Green Wave’s lone goal off an assist from Kayetan Berezniak early in the third to cut the deficit to 3-1, but Bergen Catholic sealed it with an empty-netter in the final minute.
Brett Cleaves stopped 26 of the 29 shots he faced as Delbarton was out-shot, 29-18. Things won’t get much easier, as it will travel to face Don Bosco on Sunday at the Ice Vault in Wayne.
Mendham 1, Kinnelon 1
Two teams that figure to be right in the mix for the Halvorsen title got an early look at one another on opening night, and the teams skated to a 1-1 tie.
Kinnelon goalie Brett Lewis turned aside 41 of the 42 shots he faced as Mendham out-shot Kinnelon, 42-18. Joey Arnold’s goal in the first period gave Kinnelon the lead, which held up until the third when Sean Mason tied it up for Mendham in the opening minute.
Gill St. Bernard’s 8, Parsippany Regional 0
Gill St. Bernard’s had a breakout year in making its first-ever state tournament appearance in 2018-19, and it appears to be strong once again as it earned a dominant opening day win.
Brenen Lavoie recorded a hat trick and Eddie McCarthy tallied four points, including two goals and two assists. Christian Mote chipped in with two goals and an assist for the Knights, who will face Oratory on Saturday.
Alex Steinberg turned aside all eight shots he faced to secure the shutout.
Coaches are asked to please e-mail box scores to michaelgurnis@gmail.com after each game.
The Morris-Sussex Hockey Report 