HHS blanks MKA, set for state playoffs
By: John Beisser
WEST ORANGE The adage says one of the most difficult things to do in sports is to beat the same team three times in a season. Last Saturday, the Hillsborough High ice hockey team debunked that notion by dominating Montclair Kimberly 7-0 to claim the Van Cott Cup NJIHL White Division Title at the Richard E. Codey Arena in West Orange.
Last season, the Raiders ran roughshod through the Blue Division, easily winning the championship which earned them a promotion to the White Division. While there was some tough sledding early in the season, the Raiders managed to post an 11-2-1 division mark. Next year, Hillsborough will look to step up in class again when it moves to the ultra-competitive Red Division.
Buoyed by senior forward Matt Janos’ decision to play with the Raiders instead of his AAU club team, Hillsborough (15-5-3) controlled the championship game from the outset. At the 11:57 mark of the first period, Janos picked up a loose puck and scored on a breakaway to give the Raiders the early lead and momentum.
"Right off the bat when I scored, that gave us a real high and picked up everyone’s intensity and everyone was kind of feeding off of that," Janos said. "Defensively, we played physical all game and had some big hits. Everyone on offense really stood their ground and we never really gave them a chance to get in the game. We were kind of all over them from the start."
Corey DeFranco made it 2-0 at the 8:41 juncture of the first period on assists from Janos and Joe Kubrak. With 4:10 left in the opening period, the Raiders made it 3-0 on a power play goal by Kubrak off assists by Janos and DeFranco and Hillsborough never looked back.
On the season, Montclair Kimberly went undefeated against the rest of the White Division but the Cougars have been stonewalled in all three meetings vs. Hillsborough.
"Maybe it’s matchups but for whatever reason when we play them it just works out for us," Hillsborough head coach Pat Verney said. "They have a lot of team speed and we wanted to try to catch them in transition and obviously it worked out well today."
"The kids have done a tremendous job executing and they’ve been coachable from day one," Verney added. "They deserve a lot of credit. It’s really coming together. It took awhile but the kids have done a great job. When we execute the systems we have in place, we’re a tough team to beat. That’s just the reality. We’re not a great hockey team but when we execute, we’re a tough team to play against. I felt that was the key early."
The Raiders’ pin-point accuracy continued just 39 seconds into the second period as DeFranco got ahead of the field and buried home a goal on a fast break. Trevor Bierwirth then notched a pair of goals, the latter off an assist from Alex Merry, to stake the Raiders to a comfortable 6-0 cushion after two periods. Joe Kubrak rounded out the scoring with an unassisted goal in the third period.
"We had a very balanced effort," Verney said. "Matt Janos (one goal, two assists), Trevor Bierwirth (two goals), Joe Kubrak (two goals, two assists), Corey DeFranco (two goals, one assist) and Alex Merry (one assist) they were all terrific. It’s a good vibe we have right now in the locker room. It’s a group of unselfish kids."
Verney also singled out his quartet of defensemen Sean Burke, Chris MacPhee, John Cohn and Chris Korenczuk for their continued outstanding play. Eric Visnovsky was once again sensational in goal for the Raiders.
"When you have one of the best goaltenders in the state, you obviously don’t want to put him in a position where we’re giving up odd man rushes," Verney said. "Those four defensemen have been so stellar, so solid and a big key to this run. When you add that smart, intelligent defensive play to the fact you have one of the better goaltenders around, it’s a good combination."
In a statistical oddity, MKA out-shot Hillsborough 27-24 but Visnovsky turned away all 27 shots he faced, including a couple of beauties in the latter stages of the game when it was obvious he was determined to preserve the shutout. Visnovsky termed it one of Hillsborough’s most complete performances.
"Team-wise we accomplished everything we wanted to do," Visnovsky said. "It was probably one of our better games of the season. I felt I played pretty good. I got a little sloppy out there but then I picked it up at the end when I was facing more shots. I got a little cold out there after not facing many shots for awhile."
In Hillsborough’s current six-game winning streak, Visnovsky has posted three shutouts and allowed just three goals. Verney says his team derives much of its composure from its unflappable junior goalie.
"He’s big, athletically gifted and he plays his angles so well. When you’re athletic and big and know how to play the position like he does, it’s great," Verney said. "I still think his strongest point as a goaltender is his demeanor, his mental approach to the game. He’s very calm. He’s got a quiet focus about him for each and every game. Eric makes everyone in the locker room so relaxed."
Hillsborough advanced to the championship game with a 4-1 win over Watchung Hills in the semifinals. DeFranco and Bierwirth had two goals apiece while Visnovsky had 31 saves.
The Raiders will meet Ramsey in the first round of the NJSIAA Playoffs tomorrow night at the Aspen Ice Arena in Flemington.

