Randolph Boys Ice Hockey will take on Ridgewood tonight, Thursday, March 6, at the NJSIAA sectional finals after beating the Livingston Lancers 10-3 in the semis on Monday March 3, at Codey Arena. Tonight’s game starts at 7 p.m., also at Codey Arena.
At the Livingston game, the Rams hit the ice with intensity in the first period, setting the tone early with aggression and execution. Livingston got an early goal to take the lead.
This did not set back the Rams, however, as junior Vincent Crisafulli was soon able to put one into the back of the net. Livingston did not hold back either, and the Lancers shifted the momentum by putting another two on the board, ending the period 3-1.
The second period started out slowly for the Rams, allowing Livingston to take advantage and add two more goals to their lead. The team decided to make a goalie switch, and the Rams finally found their momentum as a team.
Randolph applied crucial pressure and had aggressive forechecking, which junior Shane Melly took advantage of, scoring two goals. The crowd was ecstatic, and the Rams found their rhythm again as senior co-captain Jase Zangara put another one in the back of the net. As the clock ran down, Crisafulli delivered a crucial tying goal, which electrified the team, ending the second period 5-5.
“Despite being down four goals, we did not let that stop us,” senior Jacob Cambell said. “We focused on keeping Livingston off the board, while trying to score as many goals as possible.”
The Rams entered the third period with relentless energy and effort fueled by their comeback from the second period. The team quickly earned two goals early on with Melly and Cambell, making the score 7-5.
This game was nowhere near over, as Livingston refused to back down. The Lancers answered with two goals of their own, tying the game again at 7-7.
With tensions rising and both teams giving their all, the game was getting heated fast as the clock ran down.
After his penalty, Crisafulli went down the ice and scored another goal, giving himself a hat trick for the night. Zangara also took advantage of the 6-5 game as Livingston made the risky decision to take out its goalie, allowing another two points in the empty net.
The game ended 10-3, and the boys and crowd celebrated the well-deserved win. “Our determination to win the state championship carried us to win this game,” Cambell said.
It was also a special night for Zangara, as he achieved his record of 200 career points. “While hitting 200 points is cool, winning is even better with the team I have,” he said.
Come cheer on the Rams against Ridgewood, tonight, March 6, at Codey Arena at 7 p.m.
