Caseys dominate ice in season-opener vs. Lions
FARRAH MAFFAI Rutgers University’s Sean Axani blocks the shot of Stoneybrook’s Jarius McCollum during the Scarlet Knights’ 76-37 home win on Nov. 28. Axani, a Red Bank Regional graduate, is seeing significant playing time at Rutgers this year, and figures to be a prominent part of the program’s rebuilding process.
RBC hockey team appears ready for
another stellar season
By chris kelly
Staff Writer
You never know what to expect in the first game of the season — especially when you have a lot of new faces in the lineup.
With the loss of nine seniors who graduated, Red Bank Catholic didn’t know how their season-opener against Middletown North was going to end, but were relieved once they had earned a 7-1 victory.
"This was a good test for us, a great way for us to get our feet wet," said RBC head coach Wayne Anderson. "It’s always good to start the year off with a win.
"A large number of these kids are freshmen and players who are competing for the first time wearing a varsity sweater. It took a little time, but once the butterflies were gone, the kids played a good game," he said.
Even though the Caseys dominated throughout the first period, controlling the puck and allowing North only several chances at their net, they only managed a 1-goal lead.
Pat Lynch took a pass before the blue line, skated into the Lions’ zone to beat Billy Funic, with 2:59 left in the period.
Eighteen minutes later, RBC had turned up the heat in the second period, shooting their way to a 5-1 lead.
According to Anderson, it seemed like the Caseys became more comfortable on the ice, and turned their game up to the next level.
"The kids started to adjust themselves after the first period," Anderson said. "We have a game plan; they know what it is, and it’s up to them to execute. The problem we’re having right now is a lot of these players are new, and not familiar playing the game on the ice with each other. It took them a period to get used to each other in a game situation."
Nick Paul opened up the second period scoring with back-to-back goals. His first came at 5:06. Almost six minutes later, he found himself in the same position, scoring off a double-assisted puck.
Middletown, in only their second year as a varsity team, prevented their hosts from shutting them out of the game with a 14:11 goal by center Paul McDonnell. Assisting the goal were Mike Sisto and Rob Noll.
The Caseys padded their lead in the third period with a pair of goals. Despite RBC’s domination over the game, the Lions found themselves with several excellent scoring opportunities.
"We didn’t play too well today," said Lions’ head coach Don St. Jean, "but I’m sure the team will come around. The kids played a tough game."
The Caseys peppered Funic with 39 shots, with the Lion making 29 saves.
RBC returns to action later today when they face St. Augustine Prep in Richland. From there, they will host Montgomery on Sunday, before traveling to South Brunswick on Monday.