Here is a look at this week’s Morris-Sussex Hockey Report Top 5 rankings:
1- Delbarton (1-0)
What you should know: The Green Wave finally opened their 2021 campaign on Thursday, as it took down a talented Chatham squad, 3-0. It put 61 shots on goal in the game. It will be tested even more this week as it begins its Gordon Conference schedule with St. Peter’s Prep on Tuesday, followed by a battle with Prep power Princeton Day on Thursday.
2- Morristown-Beard (1-0)
What you should know: Morristown-Beard is as talented and deep of a team as you’ll find in this area, and that was on full display in its season-opening 6-1 win over Morristown on Friday. After a shutdown related to COVID-19, the team had just a couple of practices this past week before taking on Morristown, and was without one of its top forwards in Nick Vantassell due to injury. This team should get even better as it goes along, but it will be tested right away when it faces one of the top teams in the state in Bergen Catholic on Monday.
3- Chatham (2-1)
What you should know: Chatham downed KJS United, 6-2 to open the season on Monday, before suffering a 3-0 defeat to Delbarton on Thursday, despite a 58-save performance by Michael Park. But the very next day, Chatham picked up its signature win of the year, as it scored twice in the final two minutes- including a buzzer-beating goal by Will White- to take a 2-1 win over Morris Knolls-Hills. Park made 26 saves in that one, giving his team a chance despite a 27-12 shot disadvantage. It will take on a strong Rumson-Fair Haven squad on Tuesday, before facing Randolph on Saturday.
4- Morris Knolls-Hills (1-1)
What you should know: It has been an up-and-down first two games for the reigning Public A champions. It started off the year on Monday with an impressive 4-2 win over three-time Public C champion Summit, and appeared on its way to a second-straight win when it held a 1-0 lead over Chatham in the third period on Friday. But it gave up two goals in the final two minutes and lost at the buzzer. It is slated to take on Madison on Sunday night, before facing Morristown on Saturday night.
5- Randolph (0-0)
What you should know: The reigning Public B state champions have yet to take the ice this season as the Randolph school district has gone fully remote through Jan. 29 due to COVID-19. It is still scheduled, as of now, to open its season with Chatham on Saturday.
Honorable mention: Morristown, Madison.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Michael Park, Chatham, Jr. goalie
Park certainly faced his fair share of action this week, helping Chatham to a 2-1 record in its first three games. His 58-save performance against a Non-Public power in Delbarton kept the score to a respectable 3-0, before an impressive 26-save performance just the next day to help his team earn a dramatic 2-1 win over Morris Knolls-Hills. He posted a .941 save percentage in three games.
Coaches: We will be doing a Player of the Week each week. Please feel free to send in any suggestions to michaelgurnis@gmail.com.
The Morris-Sussex Hockey Report 