Bulldogs Advance

ICE HOCKEY

By: Tim Falls
   Hopewell Valley Central High School senior Tom Kawalec scored in each of the Bulldog’s past two state playoff games.
   He was hoping do so again last night (Wednesday) as Hopewell, the 14th seed, took on third-seeded Bridgewater-Raritan at the Rock Ice Pavilion in Dunellen for a chance to move on to the elite eight.
   "We’ve been playing really well lately," said Kawalec. "We’ve stepped it up since the loss to Princeton (in the Mercer County Tournament). We’ve been coming out fast and finishing strong."
   Hopewell Valley advanced to the round of 16 with a 3-2 victory over Middletown South at Ice Land Monday Night.
   Hopewell handled the 19th seed despite allowing Middletown South to rally by scoring on a power play goal late in the third-period to make it a one-goal game.
   "That last goal we got caught down in the zone," said Kawalec. "That kind of hurt us, but overall I thought it was a tight game. They’re a good team too, we just outplayed them."
   Kawalec said Hopewell needs more of the same when they try to upset Bridgewate-Raritan.
   "We’re looking forward to playing them," said Kawalec. "I’m really looking forward to it. I think they’re definitely beat-able. We played our hearts out against Middletown South. If we play like that it should be an interesting game."
   Kawalec, sophomore Pat Haig and senior Eric Doran tallied for the Bulldogs, while junior Paul Martori, junior Drew Scannella, sophomore Pete Daley sophomore Chris Beyer and junior Tom Rush had assists.
   Hopewell had the advantage in shots, 24-22
   Kawalec added a goal as Hopewell defeated Dumont, 6-1, in the opening round.
   "Both were on the power play and both were off rebounds," said Kawalec. "They were pretty identical."
   Along with tallies in two postseason games, Kawalec, in fact, has scored in each of Hopewell’s last three games. Kawalec had a goal in the Bulldog’s 6-3 victory over Steinert of Feb. 26.
   "I was injured for probably a month before that," said Kawalec, "so it feels good to come back and help my team."
   Martori, senior Bobby Davis, Daley, senior Brian DeAngelis and Rush all scored once in Hopewell’s win over Dumont.
   "We’re working," said Kawalec. "We want to win. We’re hating to lose right now. That’s the big thing."
   Kawalec credited the defense as an important factor in the team’s success.
   "The team strength, I’d have to say is our defense," said Kawalec. "We play quite well as a collective unit, not just select individuals. As a whole, we’re playing really well and that’s helping our offense. When our defense does well our offense does well."
   Leading Hopewell’s offense is Rush, who was recently named the New Jersey Devils Player of the Month for February. Other players are also raising their game to ensure Hopewell moves on in the tournament.
   "Drew Scannella has been stepping out all season," said Kawalec, "and of course there’s Tom Rush, Pete Daley and Eric Doran. They’re the foursome driving our offense."
   Even though they are the underdogs, the Bulldogs had confident going into their game against Bridgewater-Raritan, especially after being in control for the past three games.
   "We’re confident," said Kawalec. "We’ve played good teams. We played Hillsborough (the 6th seed) in he middle of the year and Montgomery (the 10th seed). We lost to Hillsborough, but we could have easily won that game and we beat Montgomery. They’re both high seeds."
   Kawalec said Hopewell would go into the game prepared to handle to skilled Bridgewater-Raritan skaters.
   "They have speedy forwards," said Kawalec, "so hitting will be necessary. We’re going to come out physical and that will help us. A strong start should put them down and help us out. If we play as a unit, we should be fine."