Hockey: Week 1 Review — North Jersey’s Best and Notes From Around the State

It was good to be back at my secondary office last weekend — the Ice Vault — which is where I’ll be again tonight. What we saw last week was a lot of the same things and similar storylines, as we saw last year — Don Bosco and Ramsey looking like the teams to beat again — but I think the quality of the teams behind them this year is improved all throughout North Jersey, which should make for a fun regular season, especially come Cup playoff time.

Here’s a breakdown of what went down in North Jersey’s opening week — a different format than I used last year, though things could change as we get deeper into the year. We’re going with Team of the Week, some Players of the Week, Games of the Week, additional Shoutouts, a NEW TOP 15 (with teams on the bubble), and some additional observations from key teams around the state outside our coverage area. I’ll attempt to keep tabs on them all season long (the Chathams, Randolphs, Delbartons and CBAs, etc.) because they’re all likely going to be in the mix for state titles later this season.

On to the Week 1 Review…

WEEK 1
(Nov. 29 to Dec. 4)

TEAM OF THE WEEK
Ramsey (2-0)
How’s this for balance from the Rams’ offensive attack… in two wins over West Milford and Ridgewood (two teams that could potentially be champions this season; West Milford in Passaic County and Ridgewood in the Big North Patriot), Ramsey scored 13 goals coming from eight different players — and that list doesn’t even include Nick Botta yet (23 goals, 20 assists last year), though his goals will surely be coming. Senior Alex Whelan, already a two-time Record Player of the Year, appears he’ll be among the worthy candidates again this season, delivering three goals and five assists through two games to lead the balanced offense. In total, 12 players have already recorded a point, including Whelan (8), Garrett Mast (4), Chris Kopack (4), Kyle DeBel (4), Chris Scott (3), Botta (2) and Brandon O’Callahan (2). Ramsey might not be truly tested until the Ice Vault Tournament when they take on Randolph on Dec. 23.
Honorable Mention: Ramapo (2-0) and Don Bosco (2-0) — more on both teams in a bit.

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PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Hunter Garlasco and Chris Mazzella, Don Bosco: The pair of forwards got off to a fast start for the Ironmen, picking up two quick wins over Pope John and St. Peter’s Prep while accumulating a total of 15 points together. Both players scored four goals, with Garlasco providing four assists and Mazzella adding three. The linemates led Don Bosco’s third-period charge opening night in the Ironmen’s 5-1 win over Pope John, each supplying four points in the final 15 minutes. Garlasco and Mazzella will look to continue their fast starts in upcoming games against Bishop Eustace (Sunday) and Gloucester Catholic (Monday) before heading north to take on BC High in Boston on Dec. 13.

Stephen Schwab, Graham Key and Maxx Trabbatoni, Ramapo: Of Ramapo’s 19 total points in its first two games — wins over Wayne Valley and Mahwah — this trio has accounted for 15 of them. Schwab, who you all should remember for his Big North Green Cup semifinal shootout heroics last season, has led Ramapo to the quick 2-0 start with three goals and two assists, while Key has supplied two goals and assists and Trabbatoni has scored once — the game-winner vs. Mahwah — and added four assists in two games. Two interesting matchups coming up for the Raiders this weekend when they take on West Milford on Friday and Lakeland on Sunday.

Danny Reidel, Wayne Hills: Reidel was the catalyst sparking the Patriots’ comeback from down 3-0, as the senior forward picked up a hat trick in Wayne Hills’ season opener to get the Pats off on the right foot. He added an assist in the 7-3 victory, as Wayne Hills struck for seven goals in the final two periods.

Joey Fenui, West Milford: After being shutout in an opening night loss to Ramsey, Fenui reached the 100-point milestone in the Highlanders’ 7-3 win over Wayne Valley on Sunday with his one-goal, two-assist performance. Fenui was instrumental to West Milford’s Passaic County title run late last season and should have the Highlanders in the mix once again this winter.

Greg Rassam, River Dell/Westwood: One of just two seniors on the roster, Rassam willed River Dell/Westwood to an opening night win over Fair Lawn with a hat trick — all in the second period — in the 4-3 win.

Tyler Harmon, Ramsey; Sean Komjian, Lakeland; Mickey Legg, Ridgewood; Garret Baldacci, Fair Lawn: The only four North Jersey goalies to post shutouts in the opening week. Baldacci’s shutout came in a  3-0 win over Bayonne while making 23 saves, Komjian’s came in a 3-0 win over Indian Hills while making 20 saves, Legg made 12 saves in Ridgewood’s 8-0 win over Passaic Valley and Harmon needed just six saves for the shutout in Ramsey’s 8-0 win over West Milford.

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GAME OF THE WEEK I
Paramus Catholic 1, St. Joseph 1 — Paladins and Green Knights tie on Opening Night
In an opening night matchup featuring two teams in The Record’s preseason Top 10, No. 4 St. Joseph and No. 8 Paramus Catholic played to a 1-1 tie. St. Joseph’s Pete Lombardi put the Green Knights ahead 1-0 early in the second period off an assist from Edward Klein, but Paramus Catholic’s Matt Rainey tied it up just over a minute later off assists from Derek Sabato and Steven Posterino. From there, both goaltenders — PC’s John Pitera (18 saves) and SJR’s Pat Lynch (20 saves) — denied all other scoring opportunities. These two teams will meet again on Saturday night at Sport-O-Rama in Monsey, N.Y at 7 p.m. I think I’ll be there for the rematch.

GAME OF THE WEEK II
River Dell/Westwood 4, Fair Lawn 3 — Rassam’s hat trick propels RD/WW past Cutters
Tied at 1 after the first period, River Dell/Westwood took control in the second, outscoring the Cutters, 3-1 — all three goals coming courtesy of senior Greg Rassam — en route to the 4-3 win. Rassam’s opening night trick, along with one goal from sophomore Joey Ragno (someone to keep an eye on this year as he has moved from defenseman to forward), propelled No. 12 River Dell/Westwood edged No. 12 Fair Lawn. Fair Lawn’s Brian Galvin scored midway through the third to make things interesting, though the Cutters couldn’t score the equalizer.

GAME OF THE WEEK III
Wayne Hills 7, Lakeland 5 — Pats overcome three-goal deficit fueled by Reidel hat trick
This one sure had plenty of offense, with both teams racking up 76 shots (39 for Lakeland; 37 for Wayne Hills) and 12 goals total. Lakeland was coming off a 3-0 shutout win over Indian Hills one night earlier, while Wayne Hills was playing in its season opener. The Lancers jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first, on goals from Chris Wands, Cam Bradley and Shane Davidson, but the Pats stormed back with seven goals over the final two periods, including a hat trick (and two assists) from Danny Reidel. Zach Brogna added two goals, two assists, Michael Brosnick and Sean Coleman each supplied one goal and one assist and Daniel Mirman provided two assists, while goalie Peter Petrozza finished with 34 saves. After falling behind, 3-0, Wayne Hills broke out for four goals in the second and entered the third tied at 4 before pulling away with three scores in the final 15 minutes. Wayne Hills will take on Indian Hills on Friday and Mahwah on Sunday.

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SHOUTOUTS TO…
– Wayne Valley sophomore Braden Ploehn for recording a hat trick in the Indians’ 7-3 loss to West Milford on Sunday. Though 0-2, Wayne Valley already looks vastly improved from a year ago under first-year coach Justin Liscio.
– Clifton’s Matt Kolodjieczyk for recording a three-point night (2 G, 1 A) in the Mustangs’ opening night 5-2 win over Northern Valley.
– Northern Highlands for getting in the win column Wednesday night after suffering an opening night loss to St. Joes. Matt Luing and David Dachille each scored for the Highlanders.
– Ridgewood Hockey… Staying with Ramsey into the third period? Impressive. Cooper Telesco gave the Maroons a quick 1-0 lead less than a minute in and JP Kelly tied it up midway through the second.
– Higher-ranked teams… There was zero upsets according to The Record Top 15 in the opening week, with the higher-ranked teams all prevailing. The closest we had to an upset was Paramus Catholic’s tie against St. Joes.

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THE NEW TOP 15 entering Dec. 5

1. Don Bosco (2-0) – LW: 1
The Ironmen’s first line of Hunter Garlasco, Chris Mazzella and Ryan McClinsky appear to be in midseason form.
2. Ramsey (2-0) — LW: 2
Led by Whelan, the Rams are believed by many to be the preseason favorite in Public B. If more than than just Whelan keep producing at this rate and the new-look defense rounds into form, watch out.
3. St. Joseph (1-0-1) — LW: 4
Several coaches throughout North Jersey were very high on SJR entering the season and the Knights may just have the best defense in North Jersey.
4. Paramus Catholic (0-0-1) — LW: 8
Though the Paladins surely wanted the win, it was a strong performance getting the tie vs. SJR on opening night to earn a quick rise in the ranks. They’ll get another crack at Joes on Saturday.
5. Ridgewood (1-1) — LW: 7
The loss to Ramsey, a game in which was 2-2 late into the second and 3-2 Rams entering the third, opened some eyes. Just like last year, it looks like PC and Ridgewood will battle at the top, though RD/WW, Fair Lawn and even Clifton looked improved.

6. Bergen Catholic (0-1) — LW: 3
No shame in losing to Delbarton, but the margin of defeat, 7-0, drops the Crusaders. Goaltending is still a question mark.
7. Glen Rock (1-0) – LW: 6
Only game last week was an 11-3 win over Paramus/Lyndhurst/Hackensack, but we’ll find out more about the Panthers when they take on Morristown on Sunday.
8. Kinnelon (0-2) — LW: 5
Similar start to last year playing in the competitive Mennen Division with two losses to Randolph and Chatham. Do the Colts have the offensive firepower to hang with the top teams in New Jersey?
9. West Milford (1-1) – LW: 9
The Highlanders remain at 9 after being shutout by Ramsey and defeating Wayne Valley. Big game vs. Ramapo tonight.
10. Wayne Hills (1-0) — LW: 10
Big comeback win over Lakeland, fueled by Danny Reidel’s hat trick, to keep the Pats in the 10 spot. Reidel may be in store for a huge offensive year.

11. Ramapo (2-0) — LW: 11
After two wins to open the year, Ramapo could make a case to move up, but we’ll hold off until we get a larger sample size. They’ll have chance to rise in the ranks tonight when they take on West Milford.
12. River Dell/Westwood (1-0) — LW: 12
The CardinalHawks avoided a drop in the ranks with their gritty 4-3 win over Fair Lawn on opening night. Another big game and chance to rise tonight when they take on Ridgewood.
13. Fair Lawn (0-1) — LW: 13
Had the chance to make a small jump in the rankings had they defeated River Dell/Westwood, but for now the Cutters remain one spot behind at 13.
14. Lakeland (1-1) — LW: 15
One night after shutting out Indian Hills, Lakeland had Wayne Hills on the ropes with a 3-0 lead after one period, but the Lancers let it slip away. Was a back-to-back for them. Keep an eye on this team.
15. Mahwah (0-1) — LW: 14
Showed some fight against Ramapo in a 5-3 loss and the T-Birds are young. Have the potential to improve as the season progresses.

On the bubble: Tenafly (0-0), Clifton (1-0), Indian Hills (0-1)

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NOTABLE NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
– Delbarton over Bergen Catholic, 7-0 – Think the Green Wave wanted to send a message?
– Chatham over Kinnelon, 2-0 – Chatham is on Ramsey’s level in Public B and searching for another state title after winning it all in 2011 and 2013, but falling to Morristown in last year’s Public B semifinals.
– Morristown-Beard over Morristown, 7-2 – Last year’s superstar goalie Shane Brown, who stood on his head to defeat Ramsey in last year’s Public B final, 1-0 (and all playoffs, really) is no longer with Morristown even though is still only a senior. He instead has chosen to focus on his junior hockey career with the North Jersey Junior Avalance.
– Randolph over Kinnelon, 5-1, and Morris Knolls, 2-1 – Randolph will be a contender, perhaps the favorite, once again in Public A. Randolph will take on Ramsey on Dec. 23 and was one of just three teams to beat Ramsey last year.

Got any Player of the Week or Game of the Week suggestions? Tweet us @VarsityAces — or e-mail me at conrad@northjersey.com — preferably on Wednesdays or Thursdays throughout the season.

See you at the rinks.