By, David Hashagen
NEWARK, NJ — The stories for both of the finalists in the Public Co-op final were the same but also very different. As their respective co-op and tri-op neither Marlboro/Holmdel or KJS United had taken home a state title. However KJS still brought title pedigree from part of their tri-op, with Kinnelon taking home the title in 2008 as a solo school. Whether it was that championship pedigree from years gone by, or a batch of incredibly talented players, it was enough to put United over the top, winning the title 4-3 on Monday at the Prudential Center. But it would not be without plenty of resistance from their opponents in blue and gold.
Marlboro-Holmdel picked up the pressure early, with KJS netminder Brian Sisti equal to the task for the first five minutes. But then the Mustangs were given a golden chance that they wouldn’t let slip away. Just over 5 minutes in, Sacha Saks found himself wide open in the slot off a feed by Philip Revzin which he put home with a powerful snapshot to make it 1-0. Marlboro-Holmdel then controlled the game for the next six minutes, finding chances all over the ice. But it was only a matter of time before the KJS top line would come into play. At the 3:37 mark the whole line would get involved as Eddie Brown laid it off to Brayden Sisco who passed the puck to Michael Pandiscia who wristed one home over the left pad of Silacci to tie it. The sophomore, who was rewarded with the start after driving his team to the final, would look very comfortable for the rest of the frame.
In the second period, Marlboro-Holmdel made a change in net going back to regular starter David Furman, who played 20 games on the season with a .935 save percentage. The junior was under pressure right away as the Sisco line started to cook in the second. But for the most part the Mustang blueliners did a respectable job holding the shots to a minimum, and the co-op would be rewarded just 3 minutes in. Defenseman Zach Price stepped into a shot from the top of the circle, which took a massive deflection into the air before falling into the net behind Sisti. United would respond well again to the gut punch from their opponents, but despite some good chances and a couple looks on the powerplay, they could not find a way past Furman
That would change in the third period.
Less than 5 minutes into the period, Brayden Sisco finally got his moment. After a brilliant move and shot from Brown, the fabulous sophomore followed up the play and polished off the rebound to tie the game at 2-2. Less than 3 minutes later, it would be United’s talisman who would strike again off a feed from Pandiscia which was deposited home by Sisco for his second game of the game and his incredible 50th goal of the season. The next few minutes were a time for the goalies to shine as both Sisti and Furman made some brilliant stops to keep it at 3-2.
KJS would add another goal late in the period from their blue collar second line. After a passing sequence from Cody Sutton and Ryan Saletto, the puck would fall to Cormac Gibbons. The junior’s snapshot would take a massive deflection in front of Furman who helplessly watched it trickle by for what would be the game winning goal. But Marlboro-Holmdel would not go away quietly. Just seven seconds later, Sacha Saks would streak down the ice off the draw and send a laser past Sisti to make it 4-3.
The chances would continue, with just a minute and a half left in the game a goalmouth scramble somehow didn’t cross the line thanks to the incredible work of Sisti. But a penalty by Brown would put United under the pump for the rest of the game. In a head-scratching decision to some, Coach D’Appolonia kept Furman in the net, despite the chance for a 6 on 4. It soon became apparent why though, as Sisco came blazing through the zone on goal, drawing himself a penalty to make it 4 on 4. Despite their best efforts, the Mustangs couldn’t find their way past the KJS netminder again, leading to wild celebrations in the corner where the KJS faithful had gathered.
For each individual school in the tri-op, the victory meant something different. For Kinnelon, it meant a long awaited return to past glory. For Jefferson, it was finally reaching the mountain top after falling at the final hurdle in 2008, ironically to their now teammates. And for Sparta, it meant making history, becoming the first school ever from Sussex County to take home a state hockey title. But for the tri-op as a whole, it was the accumulation of six am practices, a hard fought schedule, and the verification that they had earned the label of state champion.