THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2025
Delbarton lays claim to top spot in state
An incredible start to the season continued for Delbarton on Thursday, as it took down Christian Brothers- ranked No. 1 in the NJ.com Top 20 and No. 2 in the Big State Sports Power Rankings- 5-4 in overtime at SportsCare Arena.
Egor Andreev buried the game-winner in the final minute of overtime to help Delbarton improve to 7-0-1 overall. It capped off an incredible week for the Green Wave, who took down NJ.com No. 2 and BSS No. 1 Don Bosco, on Tuesday.
Delbarton rallied from a two-goal deficit in this one, beginning with Jack Ross’ goal midway through the second period. Then, Sean O’Gwen tied it on a power play goal with 7:13 left. Thanks to some timely saves from George Cote (24 saves), the Green Wave were able to force OT, and finished it off on Andreev’s snipe with 58 seconds left.
Aidan Pasic had three assists, while Dante Rodriguez contributed two helpers. Ayden Puppe also scored in the win.
Delbarton will next face Lawrenceville next Wednesday, and will presumably be holding the state’s top ranking.
Mendham makes statement in dominant win over rival
Kacper Lesiak had a hat trick to propel Mendham to a 6-0 win over West Morris in Halvorsen Division play at Mennen Arena.
Mendham (7-3) completed the season-sweep of West Morris after a 4-2 win on Dec. 30. There was far less drama in this one, as the Minutemen scored twice in the first period before posting a four-spot in the third to put it away. Cameron Smith, Hayden Bogart, and Ryan Carlberg each found the back of the net, while Brandon Eigner and Ian Aikenhead each had two assists.
Brendon Eigner stopped all 31 shots he faced to lock down his second shutout of the year. Mendham now has sole possession of first place in the Halvorsen Division, with 11 points to West Morris’ 10 with Mendham having played one less game. It was also the sixth win in a row for Mendham.
It was the second-straight loss for West Morris, which fell to 7-5-1. West Morris will face Montville on Saturday, while Mendham will take on Mount Olive-Hopatcong-Hackettstown that same day.
Balanced effort sends Morristown-Beard past Morris Knolls-Hills
Morristown-Beard kept its unbeaten run going with a 4-0 win over Morris Knolls-Hills in Mennen Division play at Mennen Arena.
John Gonnella had a goal and an assist, while Shane Posner, Nate Cortell, and Marcus Cassidy each scored for the Crimson. Mason Hriczov stopped 19 shots for his first shutout of the year and third of his career.
Morristown-Beard is now 9-0-1 overall with a 6-0-1 record in the Mennen Division, as it holds sole possession of first place with a two point edge on KJS United. It will take on St. Joseph of Montvale on Monday.
Nick Trento made 30 saves for Morris Knolls-Hills, which fell to 3-8 overall and is now 2-4 in the division. It will be back in action on Tuesday when it faces Bernards-Somerville-Middlesex.
Morristown-Beard girls topple Oak Knoll for second-straight win
Sylie Sawale scored two goals to lead Morristown-Beard to a 4-2 win over Oak Knoll at Twin Oaks Ice Rink.
Emma Fuchs and Reid Snyder each found the back of the net for the Crimson, who won their second-straight game to improve to 2-3-1. Keira Walsifer dished out two assists, while Hannah Mortazavi made 31 saves in the win.
It was the first divisional win for Morristown-Beard (1-2-1), which will next face Princeton Day on Tuesday.
Sonvico the hero in High Point-Wallkill Valley-Kittatinny’s OT win
Alex Sonvico scored the game-winning goal in overtime to lead High Point-Wallkill Valley-Kittatinny to a 6-5 win over Morris Catholic-St. Elizabeth-Newark Academy in Haas-Charette Division play at Mennen Arena.
The win for High Point-Wallkill Valley-Kittatinny came despite a five-goal effort from Morris Catholic’s Mercer Acuna.
Sonvico finished with a goal and three assists for the High Point tri-op, which is now 5-5 overall with a 4-1 record in the division. It will next face Mountain Lakes-Boonton on Saturday.
Morris Catholic’s tri-op fell to 2-6 on the season, and holds a 2-3-0-1 record in the division. It will take on Bayonne on Friday.
Vernon falls short in quest for first win
Despite a five-goal effort from Jake Chromcik, Vernon lost, 6-5, to Newark East Side at the Ironbound Recreation Center.
Klaus Harthaus made 52 saves for the Vikings, who dropped to 0-10 on the year. It will face Newton-Lenape Valley on Saturday.
E-mail Mike Gurnis at michaelgurnis@gmail.com
Morris-Sussex Hockey Report 