Each week of the 2021-22 season, The Morris-Sussex Hockey Report will honor its Three Stars of the Week. We will also have our rankings of the Top 5 teams in the area. You can find out who made the cut this week below.
This edition of three stars of the week includes games over a two-week span from Dec. 20-Jan. 2 due to multiple days without games due to the holidays.
THREE STARS OF THE WEEK (Dec. 20-Jan. 2)
Nick Gargiulo, Mount Olive-Hopatcong-Hackettstown, G, Jr.
Gargiulo had a big week for Mount Olive-Hopatcong-Hackettstown in the Ice Vault Classic, highlighted by a 25-save shutout over a perennial state power in Ramsey. He also stopped 20 shots in a 4-2 win over Passaic Tech, and has posted an impressive .949 save percentage this season.
E.J. Gleie, Mendham, F, Jr.
Gleie put together an impressive four-goal performance in his team’s 7-4 win over Chatham in the Essex Holiday Tournament. Mendham won both of its games in the Essex Tournament over Verona-Glen Ridge and Mendham, by a combined score of 14-7, and also earned a big 4-2 win over Mountain Lakes-Boonton in Halvorsen play.
Trip Pendy, Delbarton, F, Jr.
Pendy scored both goals in his team’s 2-0 win over St. Augustine on Dec. 21, before tallying three points (1 goal, 2 assists) in a 6-1 win over Fairfield Prep of Connecticut. He has been Delbarton’s leading scorer during its 8-1-1 start, posting five goals and eight assists for a total of 13 points.
Players cannot make this list two weeks in a row.
To nominate players for the Three Stars of the Week, coaches are asked to e-mail Mike Gurnis at michaelgurnis@gmail.com by 12 p.m. each Saturday.
TOP 5 RANKINGS
1-Delbarton (8-1-1)
Last week: 1
Delbarton picked up a pair of impressive out-of-state wins over Connecticut power Fairfield Prep and Pennsylvania’s LaSalle College Prep, by a combined score of 10-2. The Green Wave are back in action on Tuesday when it takes on Gloucester Catholic in a big Gordon Conference game.
2-Morris Knolls-Hills (7-3-1)
Last week: 2
After an impressive 7-0 start to the season, Morris Knolls-Hills is suddenly winless in its last four games. It began with a 3-3 tie against Randolph, before it was out-scored by a combined score of 19-1 in three Ice Vault Holiday Classic losses to statewide Top 20 teams in Middletown South, Livingston, and Seton Hall Prep. It will look to get back on track against Roxbury on Wednesday.
3-Pope John (3-2-5)
Last week: 3
The Lions opened the Protec Ponds Holiday Tournament with an impressive 12-3 win over Pingry, before earning a pair of 3-3 ties with Monsignor Farrell (N.Y.) and public school power Ridge. It is back in action with a big Gordon tilt against Princeton Day on Monday, before facing a strong Glen Rock squad on Wednesday.
4-Morristown (6-2-2)
Last week: 4
Morristown fell, 3-1 to a strong Middletown North team, before shutting out Passaic Tech the next day in the Ice Vault Holiday Classic. It will face Mountain Lakes-Boonton in a key Halvorsen game on Thursday.
5-Morristown-Beard (5-3)
Last week: 5
The Crimson have been off since Dec. 17 due to COVID-19-related issues. It is currently scheduled to face one of the top public schools in the state in Northern Highlands on Tuesday.
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