ICE HOCKEY
By: Tim Falls
A two-man advantage helped Hopewell come from behind against Steinert.
Penalties kept the Spartans shorthanded as the Bulldogs won their last Colonial Valley Conference game, 6-3, on Monday.
Hopewell will take on Dumont in the first round of the NJSIAA postseason at 4:45 p.m. today (Thursday).
Steinert led 3-1 after the second period, until the Bulldogs began exploiting the Spartan penalties.
Coach Rob Siris "told us to keep our heads up," said junior Drew Scannella. "He said ‘it’ wasn’t over,’ obviously it wasn’t."
It didn’t take long to score after Hopewell gained its five-on-three advantage.
"Steinert plays rough," said Scannella. "We used that against them."
Tom Rush, who scored Hopewell’s first goal in the second period, added two more for a hat trick as the Bulldogs exploited an ongoing two-man advantage.
"It’s Tom Rush," said Scannella, "He’s always on fire."
Even Hopewell’s power play goals weren’t enough to even the sides as Steinert continued to draw calls.
"They got called for everything," said Scannella, "Everything they did behind the play, everything. It really helped us out. Obviously with the 6-3 win, it helped."
Paul Martori, Pete Daley and Tom Kawalec all tallied as Hopewell scored five power play goals in the third period.
The Bulldogs were eager to go on that attack in the third period, especially during the third period after they were shutout during a five-on-three in the second period.
"We were really bummed about that," said Scannella. "We didn’t put the puck in at all. We used that (motivation) to our advantage and capitalized in the third."
While goalie Jay Amato had less to worry about with Steinert struggling to stop Hopewell’s third-period attack, the Bulldog’s net-minder had to make several saves to keep the Spartans within reach earlier in the game.
"In the second period, Jay stopped those two-on-ones," said Scannella.
Amato had 11 saves and kept Steinert scoreless in the third period.
"That set us up," said Scannella. "Winning sparked us, got us fired up for the next game."
The 14th-seeded Bulldogs host Dumont, the 51st-seed, with the winner advancing to play the winner of a game between Middletown South (19) and Lakeland (46).
"We’re going to play our game," said Scannella, "work hard, keep moving our feet and score goals."

