Late goal ends fabulous season for Raiders
By: Rudy Brandl
Hillsborough High’s electrifying run in the NJSIAA Public Schools ice hockey tournament ended Saturday night at Codey Arena in West Orange.
The Raiders (17-6-3) were eliminated in the state quarterfinals by Somerset County rival Bridgewater-Raritan in a 3-1 thriller. James Fernandez netted the game-winner with 4:51 remaining in regulation on a shot that deflected off HHS goaltender Eric Visnovsky’s mask. The puck trickled over Visnovsky’s shoulder and barely crossed the goal line. The Panthers tacked on an empty net goal for the final margin.
Matt Janos had tied the game for Hillsborough with a power play goal late in the second period. Eric Psihoules and Joe Kubrak notched assists on the Janos goal, which came with 3:31 remaining in the second period.
Visnovsky and B-R goaltender Gary Biggs put on a great show in a battle of two of the state’s best. HHS held a 31-23 edge in shots on goal, so Biggs made 30 saves in the victory. The Panthers advanced to next weekend’s final four at the Continental Airlines Arena, while the Raiders saw their 13-game unbeaten streak end in a gut-wrenching defeat.
For complete coverage of all the HHS athletes and teams in the state playoffs, see Thursday’s Hillsborough Beacon.