The ice is suddenly hot

South hockey team enjoys a late burst

By: Ken Weingartner
   For a team that through its first nine games saw just about everything possible go wrong, suddenly all appears to be right.
   Suddenly, the breaks are going the way of the South Brunswick High ice hockey team.
   On Tuesday night, for example, the Vikings won their fourth straight game thanks in part to an improbable goal scored by Richie Stewart.
   With about 4:30 to play against Monsignor Donovan, Stewart lofted a shot from near South Brunswick’s own goal line, then watched as the puck landed, took a hop and skidded past the goalie. The goal gave the Vikings a 4-2 lead and SB held on for a 4-3 triumph.
   "We definitely worked hard," Vikings coach Mark Kmiec said after his team improved to 5-7-1 overall and 4-5-1 in the Southern Conference White Division. "We definitely made some good plays and tried to work hard. Sometimes, that makes all the difference. With a little luck, we were able to hang on."
   Donovan came into the game 10-2-1 and ranked No. 18 in the state. Earlier this season, the Vikings dropped a 6-4 decision to Donovan after blowing a two-goal lead in the third period.
   "We knew we had to beat some of the teams we lost to earlier in the year if we’re going to make the state tournament," Kmiec said. "I’m glad we were able to take care of that. It was good to make up for that mistake from earlier in the year."
   Stewart has scored five goals in South Brunswick’s last three games. Vinnie Fedele scored two goals against Donovan while Mike Bowser added one.
   The Vikings outscored their foes 19-8 during their four-game win streak.
   South Brunswick was scheduled to face non-league foes Johnson (3-8-2) Wednesday and Pennington (2-10) Friday as it attempts to climb to the magical .500 mark. The Vikings finish the regular season with games against Rumson-Fair Haven next Monday, Old Bridge Wednesday and Toms River East Thursday.
   Wins in four of those final five games would secure South Brunswick a spot in the state public school tournament.
   Also providing a lift for South Brunswick against Monsignor Donovan was the return of senior goalie Eric Dawe, who had been ineligible.
   Dawe’s return gives Kmiec options in net. Sophomore Eric Krischer filled in for Dawe during the first 12 games and notched his first career shutout last week as the Vikings blanked Toms River East, 4-0.
   "Eric Dawe made some really good saves," Kmiec said. "It’s a boost to have him back, whether he’s in goal or not. He’s a pretty good leader. This gives us two options in goal, which is great. For us to get that shutout last week was great for our defense and Eric Krischer. They worked hard and deserved it."
   South Brunswick opened the year going 1-7-1, with its defeats coming against teams that are a combined 58-11-2 this season.
   "They didn’t give up," Kmiec said. "They knew they had a tough go of it the first part of the schedule. They knew if they kept plugging away, they could come back. It’s a great thing to see. It’s great they were able to hang on and turn our season around."