49TH MENNEN CUP FINAL
1-Randolph (18-0-1) vs. 3-Chatham (14-7)
Thursday, 7:30 p.m. at Mennen Arena
Previous meeetings: Randolph won both meetings this season, as it took home a 5-2 win on Jan. 12, followed by a 7-1 win on Feb. 2.
CUP HISTORY
Randolph
— Randolph has won five Mennen Cup titles in its history, with the last coming in 2018. It is in the final for the second-straight season, after losing to Chatham in last year’s title game.
Chatham
— Chatham snapped a 42-year Mennen Cup drought last winter, as it captured its sixth title and first since 1981 with an overtime win over Randolph last year.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Randolph
Jase Zangara, F, Jr. (30 g., 25 a.), Andrew George, F, Jr. (17 g., 23 a.), Daniel Sharkey, F, So. (13 g., 20 a.), Vincent Crisafulli, F, So. (13 g., 17 a.), Shane Melly, F, So. (14 g., 13 a.), Keegan Melly, F, So. (13 g., 8 a.), Ryan Thomas, F, So. (10 g., 11 a.), Ashton Feinberg, D, Sr. (1 g., 10 a.).
Goalie: John Krynicki, Sr. (.897 sv%)
Chatham
Matt Nacinovich, F, Jr. (18 g., 28 a.), Thomas White, F, Jr. (14 g., 13 a.), Luc D’Costa, F, Sr., (16 g., 17 a.), Isaac Suh, F, Jr., (3 g., 3 a.), Dillon Gagliardi, D, Sr. (8 g., 10 a.), Nate Crowley, D, So. (1 g., 10 a.).
Goalie: Snowden Lange, So. (.888 sv%)
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Randolph
The Rams have just one blemish on their record- a 4-4 tie with St. Joseph of Metuchen on Dec. 27, in which it saw a 4-1 lead evaporate in the third period. Other than that, it has essentially been smooth sailing for a team which has won every game by at least two goals. It has averaged an other-worldly 6.58 goals per game with an extremely talented and deep forward group.
It went a perfect 8-0 in the Mennen Division this season, winning those contests by an average margin of 3.75 goals per game. In the semifinals, it erased an early two-goal deficit to Morris Knolls-Hills with nine unanswered goals to come away with a 9-2 win. This is a team that can score goals in bunches, and can turn a close game into a rout in the blink of an eye.
Chatham
Chatham has overall had a strong season this year, and while the offensive numbers aren’t quite what Randolph has done, make no mistake about it- this is a very talented team that can score. Matt Nacinovich leads a very deep forward group, just like Randolph has. The addition of Isaac Suh to the lineup in mid-January has also provided yet another talented option up front.
The Cougars picked up an impressive win in the semifinals, as it toppled second-seeded Morristown-Beard, 4-2. It erased a 2-1 deficit as Matt Nacinovich tied it in the second period, before Luc D’Costa gave the team the lead early in the third. When this team has all of its players available, like it did in the semifinals, it is a very tough one to beat.
PREDICTION
It’s going to be hard to top the drama of last year’s final, which ended with Matt Nacinovich’s game-winner in overtime for a 2-1 Chatham win to snap a 42-year title drought.
Whenever these teams get together- especially in a postseason game- you know that it’s going to be a raucous atmosphere at Mennen Arena. This will be a much more tightly-contested game than the first two times these teams met. The key for Chatham will be to get on the board early and make Randolph chase the game, something it has not had to do all season, save for the semifinal win over Morris Knolls-Hills.
But this is a Randolph team that has had the feel of one that has been building towards this moment all year. Expect a back-and-forth battle, but in the end, Randolph will find a way to break through for a few goals and win its first title since 2018.
(Also, don’t be surprised if these teams meet for a fourth time in the North, Public sectional final in a couple of weeks- Randolph is the top seed and Chatham is the third seed).
Randolph over Chatham
E-mail Mike Gurnis at michaelgurnis@gmail.com
Morris-Sussex Hockey Report 