The Randolph Boys Ice Hockey team faced a pivotal week from Jan. 5-9, playing key divisional games that would help determine the Mennen Cup tournament seeding.

The schedule featured rematches against Kinnelon and Morris Knolls, along with a major out-of-conference matchup against state powerhouse No. 13 Northern Highlands. 

Jan 5: Randolph ties Kinnelon 3-3 in overtime

A Mennen Division matchup occurred on Monday, Jan. 5 at Mennen Arena, when Randolph battled KJS United to a 3–3 tie at 4:30 p.m.

The Rams came out flying, jumping to an early 2–0 lead in the first period. Senior co-captain Shane Melly opened the scoring with a bar-down finish, and fellow senior co-captain Vinny Crisafulli followed by burying a shot in the back of the net. 

But the momentum shifted in the second and third periods as KJS United responded with three unanswered goals to take control.

Refusing to back down, Randolph answered late when senior Keegan Melly found senior Ryan Thomas across the ice, and Thomas buried the equalizer to knot the game at 3–3. 

With the score deadlocked, both defenses tightened, and neither side could break through, as the game ended in a hard-fought tie. 

“Getting out to an early lead was huge, but what matters is how we responded when things didn’t go our way,” senior Peter Psaras said. “We stayed together, and that’s why we were able to come back, but it would’ve been nice to secure the win.” 

Jan. 7: Randolph upsets No. 13 ranked Northern Highlands 7-5

Randolph jumped out early and never looked back, riding a fast start and a dominant third period to a 7–5 win over Northern Highlands on Wednesday Jan 7 at Mennen Arena. Melly opened the scoring on the power play and added four assists, setting the tone all night. Crisafulli followed with two goals, while Melly and Thomas chipped in to keep Randolph in control through two periods. 

The Rams blew it open in the third, scoring three times in the first three minutes as Thomas and freshman Caden Milano pushed the lead to 7–2. Senior Jack Murphy and junior Bryson Findling added assists, and despite a late push from Northern Highlands, Randolph held firm behind sophomore Zack Levesque in net.  

“We just stuck to our system and kept pushing the pace,” S. Melly said. “When we kept playing the Randolph way and the results showed.” 

Jan. 9: Randolph dominates rival Morris Knolls 6-1 

After a scoreless first period, Randolph took over in the second and never gave up, rolling to a 6–1 win over rival Morris Knolls on Friday, Jan. 9. S. Melly ignited the offense with a powerplay goal to tie the game, then added two more before the period ended to give the Rams a commanding lead. 

Seniors Tanner Beaudin and Michael Cozza also found the back of the net, with Thomas, junior Josh Beasley, and Milano contributing key assists. 

Melly capped off his four-goal night early in the third, and Cozza added one more to seal it. Sophomore Quincy Mitchell was sharp in goal, turning aside 16 shots, as Randolph controlled play from start to finish. The Rams went 2-0-1 in a competitive and important week of play to bring their season record to 6-4-2. 

“We’re happy with going 2-0-1,” Cozza said. “It shows the guys and I are competing every night and taking steps in the right direction.” 

 The Rams take on Hunterdon Central next, on Wednesday, Jan 14.