By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
Finally starting to return to full strength, the Robbinsville High School ice hockey team can start to focus on improving together in a promising season.
The Ravens took a step in that direction with a 6-0 win over Hightstown on Friday behind 15 saves from Aaron Sherman and two goals apiece from Rich Salava and Anthony Rosetta. The win was their third in a row and fifth in their last six games going into Tuesday’s scheduled showdown with Notre Dame.
”We’ve been short four or five players due to injuries, including a couple of top flight players,” said Robbinsville head coach Dan Bergan after his team improved to 7-2-2. “We’ve been kind of trying to hold it together with bubble gum and glue until we get all our reinforcements back.”
Included in the recent run were some solid wins at the Codey Arena Winter Classic last week. Connor Given’s goal with 7:45 left gave them a 2-1 win over Livingston in their tournament opener. Salava provided the other tally, while Kellen Anker made 23 saves.
”Kellen Anker has done outstanding in goal for us,” Bergan said. “He’s been a big key for us. And even backup Aaron Sherman has three wins under his belt.”
The Ravens recovered from a loss to Verona with a 6-4 win over Nutley to finish off the Codey tournament. Robbinsville scored four goals in the third period to pull out the comeback. Robbie Colton had two of the goals and an assist. Salava had the game-winner with 1:13 to play and the insurance goal.
”We had a good showing there, winning two out of three games against some good North Jersey competition,” Bergan said. “We had nice wins against Livingston and Nutley.”
The Ravens have also seen where they need to improve. Despite winning their last three, Robbinsville realizes that it could be even better.
”We have a pretty high powered offense for sure,” Bergan said. “Sometimes to the detriment of our defensive play.
”Part of the game is the mental aspect, mental toughness. It’s an area that needs development for us. We have to learn how to finish.”
Robbinsville wasn’t burned by it, but after posting a 6-0 lead through two periods against Hamilton, they saw the Hornets bury five goals in the third period to make it a squeaker. The Ravens held a 2-1 lead over West Windsor-Plainsboro South earlier in the year only to see the Pirates tied it. They led, WW-P North, 3-0, but the Knights fought back to tie the Ravens. They were tied, 3-3, but Princeton found the game-winner.
”The theme of the Hightstown game was to finish it,” Bergan said. “I think it’s mental. If you take 10 percent off the gas and the other team steps it up 10 percent, there’s not a 20 percent difference between most of the teams in the CVC.”
Getting back some of their injured players should help make the Ravens deeper and help them stay stronger in the third period of games. Senior defenseman Ryan Boyne and talented freshman forward Eric Hildebrand were due back Tuesday. The defense already got back junior Ryan Hornberger. In the meantime, the Ravens have been finding what they can build on going forward.
”Rich Salava has been a goal-scoring machine,” Bergan said. “Tyler Glassman and Anthony Rosetta have provided a lot of grit and stability for us. Shaun Cox has held together our second line due to some of our injuries. That’s been as important as anything anyone else has done for us. Robbie Colton has been a big contributor on offense, while Zack Bryan has done a great job of filling for the injured Ryan Boyne on defense.
”Jared Eckert has stepped up, as have a couple freshmen in Rich Francis and Danny Cox. Connor Given and Chris Deck have helped. Once the injuries hit, all the secondary guys have to jump and be the glue and hold you together and they’ve done that. They’ve all contributed.”
The Ravens are still focused on improving every game, always mindful of the ultimate goal for the still young program.
”The goal is to win a state game,” Bergan said. “For three years we’ve made it, but our seeds have been so low it’s been tough. This year, we’re ranked 14th in Group B right now. If we can get in around 10 or 12, we should get a reasonable matchup.”
The goal is in front of them, and the Ravens will have every opportunity to show they can finish games and finish the season the way they want to.
”I think if we stay healthy, the second half will be better,” Bergan said. “We have a chance to go on a real run, but we’ve loaded up our schedule with some tough teams. Chatham, they’re ranked No. 1 in Group B. Cranford and Glen Rock are traditional good North Jersey teams. We’ll play a Monroe team that is 7-3 and has stepped up considerably. We finish with Princeton and West Windsor South. That’ll probably decide the Valley division title in the last week of the season.”

