South Brunswick High School is not just 6-1 in ice hockey this winter. It has also shown an ability to win in different ways.
The Vikings scored 10 goals in each of their first three victories, beating Ocean Township High School, 10-2, on Nov. 28, Edison High School, 10-1, on Dec. 7 and Colonia High School, 10-0, on Dec. 12.
Then, on Dec. 14, South Brunswick topped Old Bridge High School, 1-0, in a low scoring game. On Jan. 4 at the Jersey Shore Arena, the Vikings played a solid all around contest, defeating Monroe Township High School, 4-2.
Justin Guelph scored three goals in that victory. Clayton Romanok made 27 saves.
“It was definitely a team effort,” Guelph said.
“All the boys did really well in front of me. I’m very happy with our defense,” Romanok said. “The defense shut down a lot of great opportunities for the Falcons. But overall I think we played well.”
South Brunswick has been playing well, and Guelph and Romanok have been leading that effort. Guelph has 14 goals and seven assists this winter. Romanok has 171 saves and a 0.966 save percentage.
But a lot of other players have been contributing also. Michael Castiello has eight goals and eight assists. Eleven other Vikings players have gotten on the score sheet at least once.
The possibilities are limitless for the Vikings this year. And the victory over Monroe Township gave them a lot of confidence.
South Brunswick came out of that game in first place in the GMC at 4-0 in conference play. Monroe is now 4-1.
“That really boosts our confidence,” Romanok said. “It gave us a lot of momentum to be at the top of the GMC standings.”
“Moving forward this will definitely help us throughout the GMC playoffs,” Guelph said.
The Vikings enjoyed a deep postseason run last winter, reaching the Greater Middlesex Conference Cup semifinals and the NJSIAA Public A tournament quarterfinals. But they lost to Colonia High School, 5-2, in the GMC Cup semis and to Marlboro High School, 6-3, in the state quarterfinals.
South Brunswick thinks it can go further this winter.
“We are definitely picking it up this year. Everyone is just bigger and stronger,” Guelph said. “It’s overall a team effort. We should be able to move forward really well this year.”
“We’ve been playing really well this year. I’m very happy with our performance,” Romanok said. “In every game we’re giving our hardest, against very good teams and against teams we should be beating. That’s all I can really ask for of the boys.”
“We’re very well rounded,” Romanok added.
South Brunswick will try to keep it going on Jan. 9 at home versus Jackson Memorial High School. The opening face off will be at 3:30 p.m. at ProSkate Ice Arena in Monmouth Junction.
The Vikings have 10 regular season games left overall. They believe they can get through the regular season grind with a deep, balanced roster.
“Two solid lines on defense, three forward lines and each line is putting in their all,” Romanok said.
“Not just one person is doing everything out there,” Guelph said. “You can’t do it without your teammates, without the passing and the assists. It all comes down to teamwork.”