Fresh off MCT title, Tigers ready for state tournament
Coming off the Mercer County Tournament championship, the Princeton High ice hockey team is ready to take it a step further.
The Tigers (14-6-1), who are seeded 10th will take the ice against No. 7 Passaic Tech (12-9-3) on Thursday at 8 p.m. in the Ice Vault in Wayne.
Princeton has won five straight and is playing some of its best hockey.
First-year coach Rik Johnson might not have been completely happy, but he enjoyed the outcome.
“The smiles on their faces, makes my day,” said Johnson. “They really wanted this one.”
No doubt Passaic is another one the Tigers would like to put in the win column.
Passaic plays in the Big North and has split the last four games.
The Tigers have seen Cooper Zullo, one of the state’s premier players, score 30 goals and add 17 assists.
Ethan Garlock, who had the overtime game-winner in the MCT final against Hopewell Valley/Montgomery, has 16 goals and 26 assists and Brendan Beatty has nine and 20.
TT Zhao has 10 goals and 18 assists and Noah Vitulli has 351 saves.
Johnson was waited to read the team in the final practice before getting a sense of just how focused they are for the game.
“I expect the room to be focused come game time,” stated Johnson.
Passaic Tech is led by John Kensicki with 13 goals and 19 assists, Brian Gaboda has 12 and 13 and Joseph Kwiecinski has 22 assists.
Mason Katz and Jack Bernice split time between the pipes.
“The key will remain the same as it has all season,” said Johnson. “Minimize mistakes, execute and have fun. If we play our game, will be just fine.”