On Friday, January 24, Woodbridge Township hockey versus St. Joseph Metuchen at 3:15 pm. The game was tough, every player was determined to win. Each team coach had a divine structure for the team’s layout and the movements a player followed.
Period 1
During the first period, both teams started strong. Each period follows a 15-minute downtown including penalties, goals, interferences, and the sound of the whistle for the play to stop and continue again after.
With 8:11 in the first period, the first goal was shot by Connor Emmich (#8) on St. Joseph Metuchen. His goal was assisted by Hunter Mabee (#9) and AJ Shearer (#3). Emmich’s goal was an even play since no one was on a power play.
After more intense playing, not far after, a goal was scored by player, Nick Milone (#23) with an assist from Joseph Berzolla (#2) and Anthony Marrone (#20). Milone scored the only goal with 7:28 remaining in the first period.
Aiming towards penalties, Alex Naurmov sees the first penalty of Roughing as a minor penalty for two minutes. The cause of this was that Hunter Maybee scored with 2:19 left in the first period.
Period 2
During period 2, St. Joe scored 3 points allowing them to remain in the lead leaving Woodbridge behind. Woodbridge players were fighting to stay defensive, but it wasn’t enough. Goaltender Cristian Karas let in a goal that was scored by Brendan Crowley (#19) with 10:54 left on the clock. Not long after Mabee scores his second goal (Third point) and Alfonso Giaquinto scores right after. These goals lead their team with a 4-point lead.
In period 2, St. Joe’s also gained the most penalties in the entire game. four penalties, two for roughing, one for interference, and the last one for cross-checking. All of these were minor penalties for two minutes.
Period 3
There wasn’t much to do in the last period. Woodbridge is still down with no more points in this period, St Joe’s decided to score one more goal only three minutes into the game. AJ Shearer finalized the score of St Joe’s winning 6-1 Woodbridge.
Goaltending
Karas, Woodbridge’s goalie, took 43 shots on the net. He saved 37 which determined the opponent’s chance to score 6 goals. First period he had 18 shots on net, in the second period he had 11, and third he had 14 shots on net. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the best game for him as he had better past games saving over 60 shots per game.
Brady Sansone, goalie on the opposing team, was shot at on goal 36 times saving 35 of the goals allowing him to have a high save percentage during this game.
Opinions regarding the game
As a Woodbridge Township hockey statistics girl, this game was a bit rough compared to various other games. The players worked hard per usual, but there should have been more energy on the ice. The chemistry needs to come together and build for future games with the players. Upcoming games are Woodbridge senior night on January 29 against Edison.
A senior at Colonia High School Jacob Vargas, has opinions towards the game. “I think that this game was even. Even if the score depicts it. We always play the best we can and we don’t give up. I was confident we were going to win, but unfortunately, the shoes weren’t in our hands. Following senior night, I hope we win since the games are getting tight and we don’t have much time left as a senior.” I then asked how he felt about his senior year and what he could have done better to be a better player. “I truly wish that our team had more chemistry. I think we could have played better if we understood each other more. Senior year went by way to fast and I’m sad to let go.”
