Jackson Liberty High School’s hockey team got more victories than the last two seasons combined with nine on the season in 2012-13, but coach Bob Acropolis feels his team was denied a chance for another one when it fell short of making the Shore Conference Tournament Handchen Cup playoffs.
“We got slighted in the playoff race,” said Acropolis, who had only two seniors on the young team. “Instead of picking four teams from each division, they picked five from one and three from our division and we finished fourth. We didn’t get a fair shake.”
In the past, the top four teams in Shore Conference B North and in B South, where Jackson Liberty plays, were selected. However, the format was changed to a power point system, which allowed Toms River High School North to be the fifth team included in B South.
Although Acropolis said that his team got most of its victories playing outside of B North, where it finished 3-6-1, it was tough because the change in tournament selection was made during the season. Shore Conference hockey tournament director Bill Bruno, the athletic director of Brick Township’s high schools (Brick Memorial and Brick Township), said the decision was made before the season, but he recognized the frustration of Acropolis.
“He’s right,” said Bruno. “But we all knew this before the season. He should play Brick Township or Brick Memorial and get more power points.
“He lost to teams (in his division) who finished ahead of him — Wall, Point [Pleasant] Borough and Monsignor Donovan,” Bruno added. “If you don’t win, you don’t deserve to get in.”
Bruno said the power point system “is more equitable,” going strictly by division finishes, but he said, “he’s (Acropolis) correct. He should be in. But that’s the way it is now. This was done by a committee of Monmouth and Ocean County coaches.” Bruno said the system will be re-evaluated in April and could combine the teams that play in the Dowd Cup for one Shore Conference cup championship. It could also remain the same with two cup tournaments or revert back to last season’s format of division finishes.
For now, Acropolis can look back at his team that was successful from its opening game, when it beat Jackson Memorial High School for the first time, but sputtered at the end, losing three of four games with an assortment of injuries, including three freshmen who played instrumental roles — forward Joe Low, who was leading the team with 34 points until suffering a broken jaw, defenseman Leszek Gronowski with a broken hand, and Nick Uliano with a concussion. Jackson Liberty missed the state tournament by one victory.
Also, senior defenseman Davin Moskal suffered a broken wrist in the first game and remained sidelined for the rest of the season. Junior forward Willie Rappleyea was out for most of the season with a broken knee.
“We had a young team. The sophomores played well and the freshmen contributed,” Acropolis said. “We plan [on] getting deep into the playoffs next year.”
Goalie Anthony Severino is one of the two seniors graduating, but junior Vin Cannavo developed as a backup and is eager for the opportunity to contend for a starting spot next season.
The first line of Lowe, sophomore Cole Moskal and freshman Sean Clarke carried most of the scoring. Junior Mike Braun got his share of points, even though he was a defenseman. Braun, sophomore Connor Moschetti and freshman Tyler Melnick saw much of the action in the undermanned defensive end.
Acropolis said he saw many other players improving during the year.
“We don’t lose much, and we’re getting 12 freshmen next year. We’re getting some hockey players,” Acropolis said.