The Big North finals are tonight at Ice Vault. Who do you think will win? Click below for game previews, and to make your pick…
Big North Gold Final, 7 p.m. at Ice Vault
No. 1 Paramus Catholic (23-1) vs. No. 2 Ridgewood (16-7-1)
Story line: Paramus Catholic is putting together one of the finest seasons in program history and looking to win its first Cup title since 2008, when it won the Earl Hoerner Cup (Northern Conference Red Division) for the second straight season. … Ridgewood lost a lot of talent to graduation, but has a chance to win its third consecutive Big North Gold Cup tonight. The Maroons proved how formidable they can be already, out-scoring their first two opponents by a combined 15-2 margin to get to the final. … Paramus Catholic has the most wins in New Jersey at 23, and was the first New Jersey team to reach the 20-win mark this season. … Ridgewood’s two leading scorers Zach Kinkella and Alex Linton have been hampered by injury. Each has a high ankle sprain, and both will be game-time decisions tonight.
Key Players
Paramus Catholic: Sr. F Alex Fleischman (26 goals, 34 assists), Sr. F Matt Cofrancesco (25 goals, 24 assists), Sr. F Dan Sowinski (24 goals, 18 assists), Sr. D Bryan Nagy (13 goals, 12 assists), Sr. G Thomas Pyrka (92.5 save percentage, 1.20 goals against).
Ridgewood: Sr. F Zach Kinkella (24 goals, 13 assists), Jr. F Alex Linton (22 goals, 11 assists), Fr. F Cooper Telesco (12 goals, 10 assists), Jr. F Andrew Seiter (9 goals, 13 assists), Sr. G Sean Treppedi (90.6 save percentage, 2.05 goals against)
Previous meetings
Jan. 4 at Paramus Catholic: PC won 5-2
Jan. 2 at Ridgewood: PC won 3-0
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Big North Green Final, 8 p.m. at Ice Vault
No. 1 Ramsey (20-2-3) vs. No. 2 Indian Hills (16-5-2)
Story line: Ramsey has built itself into North Jersey’s premiere public program — and is the top seed in the upcoming Public B state tournament. But even for the Rams, Cup championships have been hard to come by. The Rams are searching for their first Cup title since 2010, when they won the final NBIL Division 1 Cup (Ramsey lost to Mahwah in the final the last two years). … Indian Hills is enjoying its finest season in years, back in a Cup final for the first time since 2006 when the Braves secured the second leg of back-to-back NBIL Division 2 Cup crowns. … Indian Hills doesn’t generate a ton of opportunities, and will likely be out-shot. But their chances are quality ones. … Two of the best forwards in North Jersey are named Alex and they’ll battle it out tonight: Ramsey sophomore Alex Whelan (a big physical forward who can finish better than anyone in North Jersey) vs. Indian Hills junior Alex Linquito (his game is built on speed, finesse and a nose for the net).
Key Players
Ramsey: So. F Alex Whelan (34 goals, 30 assists), Jr. F Connor DiTomaso (21 goals, 22 assists), So. F Nick Botta (17 goals, 23 assists), Sr. G Justin Larkin (92.7 save percentage, 1.15 goals against).
Indian Hills: Jr. F Alex Linquito (41 goals, 23 assists), Sr. F T.J. Thaler (18 goals, 24 assists), Fr. F Jon Hoogendoorn (7 goals, 18 assists), So. G Josh Welte (91.8 save percentage, 2.3 goals against).
Previous meetings
Dec. 14 at Indian Hills: 2-2 tie
Feb. 9 at Ramsey: Ramsey won 6-2
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Big North Silver Final, 9 p.m. at Ice Vault
No. 1 Glen Rock (17-5-1) vs. No. 2 St. Joseph (13-6-2)
Story line: Glen Rock is seeking its first Cup championship since 2009 when it won the Earl Hoerner Cup (Northern Conference Red Division)… St. Joseph has been to a Cup final in each of the last three years, but is seeking its first Cup championship since before 2001, according to NJhockey.org … Glen Rock has quietly put together eight straight winning seasons … St. Joseph has been a different team since early January and the addition of several transfers — after starting the season 3-3, St. Joe’s has posted a 10-3-2 record in its last 15 games … Glen Rock’s leading scorer Brendan Rosario has missed the last two games with a concussion and is unlikely to play tonight.
Key players
Glen Rock: Jr. F Matt Roy (21 goals, 14 assists), Sr. F Jesse Kinney (16 goals, 18 assists), Jr. D Matt Jorgensen (7 goals, 14 assists), Sr. G Harris Nebbia (90.7 save percentage, 2.38 goals against).
St. Joseph: Sr. F Jake Healey (27 goals, 19 assists), Sr. F Zef Krasniqi (23 goals, 20 assists), Sr. F Devin Moran (17 goals, 19 assists), Jr. G Philip Babb (89.1 save percentage, 2.83 goals against).
Previous meetings
Dec. 9 at Glen Rock: Glen Rock won 6-3
Feb. 11 at St. Joseph: 3-3 tie
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