Games ending in 2-2 ties proved to be the theme of the evening at Mennen Arena on Thursday.
Morristown and Mount Olive-Hopatcong-Hackettstown battled to an exciting 2-2 tie, while Montville and Bernards-Somerville-Middlesex tied with the same score.
The game between Morristown and Mo-Ho-Ha was as even of a game as you’ll see this year, with Morristown holding a slight 26-25 edge in shots. The third period, specifically, saw an exciting conclusion, with Frank DiLoreto giving Mo-Ho-Ha the lead early on, before Liam Wilson tied it up for Morristown.
Mo-Ho-Ha had an opportunity to win it in the final seconds, but Morristown goalie Thatcher Neville was equal to the task, as he finished with 23 saves.
Nick Gargiulo made 24 saves for Mo-Ho-Ha, which proved it can play with some of Morris County’s best in this one. It moved up to the Halvorsen Division this season after playing in the Haas for several years, and after a pair of decisive wins in the Halvorsen, it tied with a team in the MCSSIHL’s top league.
Morristown, on the other hand, bounced back from a tough 5-2 loss to Chatham on Monday. It will have a quick turnaround as it takes on Madison in another crossover game on Friday at 5:45 p.m.
In the night cap, Montville and BSM battled to a 2-2 tie, highlighted by the goaltending performances of BSM’s Baylyn Shankman and Montville’s Alexis Riley. Riley made 23 saves, while Shankman turned aside 20.
Matt Trifari finished with a goal and an assist, as he continued his hot start to the season. He now has seven goals and three assists to his name through just three games, as Montville has gotten off to a three-game unbeaten streak (2-0-1) after winning just two games last season. It also was able to earn a tie with BSM, who many considered to be the favorite in the Halvorsen Division prior to the year. It will take on Mountain Lakes-Boonton from the Halvorsen on Saturday night.
BSM is now 2-1-1, and will face Old Bridge on Tuesday.
OTHER AREA SCORES
Chatham 8, Mountain Lakes-Boonton 0
Portledge (N.Y.) 8, Morristown-Beard 6
E-mail Mike Gurnis at michaelgurnis@gmail.com
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