Don Bosco’s Hunter Garlasco, shown here in last year’s state final against Delbarton, recorded two goals in Monday’s 5-1 win over Gloucester Catholic, as the Ironmen retained the No. 1 spot in this week’s rankings. (MICHAEL KARAS/Staff Photographer)
Two weeks in and it’s time for our first look around North Jersey hockey and get some updated rankings out there. You’ll see at the bottom of the page what I think are some of the biggest games to watch this weekend — some of which will go a long way in determining next week’s rankings, while also sorting out the contenders for division titles. In total, one team dropped out from our preseason Top 15, one has jumped in and one has made a significant rise into the Top 5.Â
1. Don Bosco (2-0) – Preseason rank: 1
As expected, the Ironmen have gotten off to a hot start picking up two wins over state power Gloucester Catholic, 3-1, in their season opener and 5-1 on Monday. Hunter Garlasco put the game out of reach with a pair of third-period goals in the Monday victory and freshman Alexei Masanko (26 saves) earned his first career victory, getting the start in place of Jarred Liscio. No, there’s nothing wrong with Liscio, but speaking to Liscio and coach Greg Toskos on Tuesday, they’re both looking forward to working in a slew of talented freshmen goaltenders this season at different times this year. Liscio said it’s a chance to “mentor†the underclassmen and Toskos said it’s a great way to keep Bosco near the top of the state rankings once Liscio graduates. “That shows you the kind of kid he is,†Toskos said. “I’m not saying he’s ready to hand anything over just yet, but in order for the program to keep going at the level it’s at now, these young guys need starts. That really tells you the kind of kid he is.†Don Bosco will head north to take on Boston College High on Saturday at Walter Brown Arena on Boston University’s campus, where college coaches and recruiters will be abundant.
Ramsey’s Nick Botta (24) is just one of many weapons at coach Bob Toy’s disposal for The Record’s No. 2-ranked squad.
2. Ramsey (2-0) – Preseason rank: 2
The more North Jersey coaches I talk to, the more I keep hearing that Ramsey is the favorite to win the Public B state title this year. Through the first two weeks of the year, the Rams have done nothing but back those claims up, outscoring Lakeland and Mahwah, 12-1, in their opening two wins. On opening night it was the Alex Whelan show, as the dynamic junior struck for three goals and three assists vs. the Lancers, and one week later, it was Connor DiTomaso and Chris Kopack striking for a combined four goals and backup goalie Ryan Faulkner earning the shutout vs. Lakeland. Ramsey should be back at full strength — with Whelan, Nick Botta, Brandon O’Callahan and goalie Tyler Harmon returning from a trip to Chicago with the Hitmen — on Friday when it takes on Indian Hills and Sunday against West Milford.
3. Glen Rock (3-0) – Preseason rank: 4
The ‘Rock moves up a spot, ahead of Kinnelon, after opening the season on a tear with wins over Paramus, Ridgewood and St. Joseph. They’ve outscored their opponents, 20-2, in three games, getting the most production from Matt Roy (5 goals, 4 assists), Peter Tatigian (5 goals, 1 assist) and Mike Buckel (4 goals). Matt Jorgensen has served as one of Rock’s best facilitators, striking for one goal and a team-best five assists through three games. Glen Rock, the reigning Silver Cup champion, appears to once again be the overwhelming favorite in the Big North Silver Division and likely are envisioning a deep run in both the county and state tournaments. I haven’t seen them yet, but Jim McConville did, and he says they’re for real.
4. Kinnelon (1-1) – Preseason rank: 3
For those that don’t know, Kinnelon plays in one of the most competitive public school divisions in the state — the Mennen Division — filled with state-title aspiring teams such as Chatham, Randolph, Morristown-Beard and Morris Knolls. The Colts opened the year with a 5-1 loss to Chatham… not a bad loss, but the margin of defeat was somewhat surprising. They followed that loss with a message-sending 5-1 win over Morristown-Beard and Morristown — a team that went on to tie Chatham earlier this week, 3-3. So, Kinnelon — a state semifinalist a year ago — is a team worth keeping an eye on.
5. Bergen Catholic (2-1) – Preseason rank: 5
The Crusaders started the year in the No. 10 spot, because as I’ve written before, no one knew much about them heading into the year. Well, two weeks in and I think it’s time to coin Bergen Catholic as a legitimate contender. BC opened the year with a 3-2 win over a strong Morris Knolls team, led six-time reigning state champion Delbarton, 1-0, before falling 2-1, then most recently, handed previously-undefeated CBA its first loss of the year, 2-1. Prior to the loss, CBA had outscored its opponents, 41-2 (yes, 41-2), in four games. Gennaro Anzevino has to get a lot of the credit, as the senior net minder made 35 saves in the win over CBA, and in his two starts (vs. MK and CBA), Anzevino has stopped 62 of 65 shots (95.3%). Tyler Antonucci scored the game-tying goal in the second on Wednesday and Brian Ayers scored the game-winner early in the third to move the Crusaders to 2-1. BC will take on Seton Hall Prep on Saturday at the Ice House, and I think I’ll be there to see it.
6. Paramus Catholic (4-0) – Preseason rank: 5
I wasn’t around last year during Paramus Catholic’s historic 27-2 season, but I can already see how the Paladins struggled to earn the “respect†of the state tournament committee, who gave them a No. 12 seed despite their eye-popping win total. Yes, PC is 4-0 right now, but once again, the competition it plays is already coming into question. Now look, I saw PC play, and they looked good, especially during a second-period scoring outburst against Fair Lawn. Brian D’Erario and Kevin Booth look well on their way to earning some type of All-County honors and they both spoke so highly of what sophomore goalie John Pitera has done already. And Matt Rainey is among North Jersey’s leaders in assists with 5 and Matt Lepinski and Derek Sabato have both struck for four goals each in four games. There’s obviously plenty of talent in Paramus. But the fact is, the four teams Paramus Catholic has beaten (St. Joes, Fair Lawn, Passaic Valley, Clifton) have a combined record of 2-9-3, and that’s ultimately why they drop a spot. A great test will come on Saturday against Ridgewood — that’s a big, big game for PC. If the Paladins win that, I don’t think they’re going to lose until we get deep into the county tournament in mid-to-late January.
In two games, Wayne Hills’ Danny Reidel has four goals and a pair of assists for the seventh-ranked and undefeated Patriots.
7. Wayne Hills (3-0) – Preseason rank: 8
The defending Passaic County champions are the first Passaic team to appear in the Top 15 and look to be the big favorite to repeat as county champion. The Patriots have already taken care of Mahwah, Lakeland and Indian Hills, outscoring those three by a combined score of 19-8. Peter Beckwermert is tied for second in North Jersey in goals scored with seven, including a pair of back-to-back hat tricks to begin the year, and alone in third among the points leaders with 12. Danny Reidel has picked up right where he left off last season when he earned first team All-Passaic honors with four goals and two assists in two games played, and Sean Coleman has notched two goals and four assists in three games. Really good test for Hills on Friday when it takes on undefeated Ramapo. Winner of that will secure its status as second-best team in the Big North Green, behind Ramsey.
8. Ridgewood (2-1) – Preseason rank: 7
The Maroons drop a spot from their preseason ranking, but that’s mostly because of Bergen Catholic’s impressive start and jump into the Top 5. Make no mistake though, Ridgewood is a quality team and likely have that matchup with Paramus Catholic on Saturday circled on the calendar in what will be a battle for Big North Gold early-season supremacy. The Wood’s lone loss came courtesy of Glen Rock, 4-1, on Dec. 1. Mickey Legg is stopping nearly 90 percent of the shots he faces and Ridgewood has some scoring threats with Alex Linton, Patrick Anzano and Matt Cafarella.
9. Ramapo (3-0) – Preseason rank: 9
The only reason Ramapo hasn’t ascended up the rankings just yet is the strength of schedule so far. The Raiders have lopsided wins over DePaul, 10-4, and Wayne Valley twice, 6-0 then 4-1. As previously mentioned, Ramapo’s matchup with Wayne Hills will be huge. It’s one of the first truly big league games of the year in a battle of unbeatens. Jason Ruggiero has been the early-season offensive star for Ramapo, striking for seven goals and two assists for a team-leading nine points, while Sean Johnson has proven to be a quality playmaker with a team-high six assists. Graham Key has added four goals on the year, and Stephen Schwab and Sean Soderlund have given Ramapo a balanced attack, each recording three goals and three assists through three games.
10. Indian Hills (1-2-1) – Preseason rank: 6
The Braves drop from No. 6 to No. 10 after starting the year slower than expected. It should be noted both their losses came without starting goalie Josh Welte, who was away for the weekend with the Hitmen. A few coaches around the area have been surprised by Indian Hills’ sluggish start, but still believe they should be considered among Bergen County’s top teams. Alex Linquito has been doing his part with four goals through three games, one year after leading North Jersey in goals scored with 42, and teammate Mike Mauer has been a dangerous offensive threat as well, with three goals and five assists in four games. Keep in mind, in Indian Hills’ 5-2 loss to Wayne Hills last week, it was a one-goal game with five minutes left. Don’t count out the Braves just yet.
11. Mahwah (2-2) – Preseason rank: 12
This is where the rankings start to get a little tricky, mostly because of how few of games have been played. The Thunderbirds jump up a spot despite sitting at .500, but their two losses have been to No. 2 Ramsey and No. 7 Wayne Hills. Tyler Gutierrez and Michael Matos have both gotten off to great starts and are both among North Jersey’s leaders in points scored with 8 a piece. Gutierrez has five goals, three assists; Matos has three goals, five assists. And teammate Marty Kapoian has been active on the offensive end as well, registering four assists in four games. Mahwah’s got a pair of Passaic County teams next: West Milford on Friday and Lakeland on Saturday.
12. St. Joseph (0-3) – Preseason rank: 11
Yes, St. Joseph is 0-3, but check its schedule — losses to No. 5 Paramus Catholic, No. 8 Ridgewood and No. 3 Glen Rock. The Green Knights drop a spot in this week’s rankings, but they could still be a contender for the Big North Silver Cup. They did give Ridgewood a good game in a 5-3 loss — it was 3-3 until Ridgewood’s Chris Cornwell scored the go-ahead goal with 2:30 left. SJR has only generated five goals in three games, though, with Matthew McNamara involved in three of them (1 G, 2 A). Goalie Phil Babb has stopped just under 90 percent of the shots he’s faced.
13. Tenafly (2-0) – Preseason rank: 14
Andy Escala‘s squad has gotten off to a nice 2-0 start led by an offense that is generating 6.5 goals per game. Four players have already notched two-goal games — Will Torsigleri and Max Harper in the season-opening 6-2 win over Vernon, and Jason Vanderlinden and Eric L’Heureux (also has 4 assists this year) in the 7-2 victory over Paramus last week. The Tigers will look to remain unbeaten through the weekend with Northern Highlands and Pascack Valley on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
14. River Dell/Westwood (2-0-1) – Preseason rank: 15
The co-op program led by Brian Sharkey got through the first two weeks unbeaten, with wins over Passaic Valley and Fair Lawn and a tie against Clifton. Goalie Chris DeTitta is among North Jersey’s leaders with a 90.9 save percentage, while Greg Rassam is the team leader in goals scored with four. They’ll look to remain unbeaten on Friday when they travel to Bayonne.
15. Lakeland (2-2) – Preseason rank: Not ranked
The Lancers are the lone newcomer to the rankings this week after taking care of West Milford and Indian Hills in back-to-back nights last weekend. Could they be a little higher after that win vs. Indian Hills? Sure, but we’ll wait for a few more wins to slide them up a few notches in the rankings. After a rough two-game stretch facing No. 2 Ramsey and No. 7 Wayne Hills (both losses), Danny Mullin and Luke Broderick paved the way to Nick Crouch‘s first career win as Lancers’ coach in a 2-1 win over West Milford, followed by a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Indian Hills the following night, thanks to goals from Shane Davison, Cameron Bradley and Nick Brown. Sopomore goalie Sean Komjian has been stellar in Lakeland’s two wins, making 57 saves in 60 attempts (95%).
Biggest jump: Bergen Catholic (No. 10 to No. 5)
Biggest drop: Indian Hills (No. 6 to No. 10)
Dropped out: Fair Lawn (Previously No. 13)
Newcomers: Lakeland (2-2)
On the radar: Pascack Valley (2-1), Clifton (1-2-2)
Best Games This Weekend
No. 2 Ramsey vs. No. 10 Indian Hills, Friday, at the Ice Vault — A rematch of last year’s Big North Green Cup, won by Ramsey, 1-0, on an Alex Whelan goal.
No. 7 Wayne Hills vs. No. 9 Ramapo, Friday, at the Ice Vault — Who’s the second-best team right now behind Ramsey? We’ll find out in a battle of unbeatens on Friday.
No. 3 Glen Rock vs. St. John Vianney, Friday, at the Ice House — A big out-of-league matchup for Rock against a team that won 19 games last season and are off to a 2-0 start this year.
No. 6 Paramus Catholic vs. No. 8 Ridgewood, Saturday, at the Ice House — An early-season showdown for Big North Gold supremacy.
No. 11 Mahwah vs. No. 15 Lakeland, Saturday, at the Ice Vault — After earning their way into this week’s rankings, a win over higher-ranked Mahwah will only further solidify the Lancers belong among North Jersey’s best.