Newark, NJ —

Another year, another instant classic is set up for us to kick off the New Jersey Ice Hockey State Championships at Prudential Center. The last time these two teams met in the playoffs, the St. Augustine Hermits took down the Don Bosco Ironmen in a 2-1 overtime thriller in the penultimate game of an improbable run for the Hermits to capture their second state title. This time, even as the lower seed, everyone knows what the Hermits are capable of. These two teams met twice in the regular season with the Ironmen winning both matchups, but as the cliche says, when the lights are the brightest, the records go out the window (or something like that). You don’t need me to tell you how great this game is going to be, but read below to learn more about these two powerhouse programs.

Don Bosco Prep Ironmen (24-2-1, +80 Goal Differential)

How They Got Here:

Greg Toskos has led the Ironmen to one of their best seasons in program history, losing just twice and leading the entire state with 24 victories. Aside from a couple of hiccups, including a loss in the Bergen County Championship, Don Bosco has rolled through the majority of 2023-24, going on an 8-1-1 romp in the esteemed Gordon Division, and winning all three of their playoff games by a combined score of 13-3. They’ve already taken home some hardware with this group, hoisting the Gordon Cup, and now they’ll look to finish the job and capture their second state title, and their first since 2019.

Offense:

The Don Bosco offense is one of balance and team execution. Averaging 4.1 goals per game, they don’t have the litany of scorers that some other teams may have, but what they lack in one or two superstars, they have in spades in terms of depth. Senior Dean Toskos (21G, 15A, 36Pts) has led the charge, along with junior duo Frantisik Netusil (15G, 14A, 29Pts), and Matthew Shpungin (6G, 20A, 26Pts). They’ve also gotten excellent contributions from senior defensemen Kenny Kalman (2G, 24A, 26Pts), and Daniel Kelly (11G, 11A, 22Pts) as a part of their 186 team assists. Overall, the Ironmen have a dozen players with 10+ points making them very difficult to defend. Don’t be surprised if their scoring in the state championship game comes from a name not featured in this article.

Defense:

This aspect of their game is really when Don Bosco earns their Ironmen moniker. In 27 games, they let up just 40 goals for a staggering 1.48 GAA as a team. This is largely in part thanks to senior goaltender James Tarabocchia who has stood on his head all season long, on his way to a 1.35 GAA, a .946 save percentage, and five shutouts. Fifteen of their games have involved Bosco surrendering no more than a single goal, including letting up just one per game in the state playoffs. It’s hard to lose when you shut down your opponents, and that’s what this team is best at.

X-Factor:

Confidence. It’s hard to argue that the Ironmen have been the best team in that state this season. They responded to their first loss of the season with a 16-0-1 run and their Bergen County Championship loss with a clean sweep of the Gordon Cup playoffs and the current state playoffs, featuring some of the top competition in all of New Jersey. Yes, they’re facing off against the defending state champs, but they’ve disposed of them rather handily, winning their matchups 3-1 and 7-2. Those wins won’t have Don Bosco underestimating St. Augustine, but they certainly have to like their chances to beat them a third time.

St. Augustine Hermits (14-5-1, +34 Goal Differential)

How They Got Here:

Transitioning from a happily ever after Cinderella story in their title run last year, to the number three seed in this year’s tournament was not an easy feat to accomplish, but head coach Roman Ammirato was able to build off last year’s success to put his team in a position to win in all again. Moving up to the American Division of the Gordon Conference seemed to only make this team stronger, as they matched their win total from last season despite the tougher competition, and while playing fewer games. On their way to the finals this year, they exacted revenge on a red-hot Delbarton squad that gave them an early exit from the Gordon Cup playoffs, so expect this team to be battle-tested.

Offense:

Scoring has been difficult in the Gordon-American Division, especially with the Ironmen running around letting up just 40 goals, but despite that, the Hermits still managed to compile a solid mark of 4.2 goals per game. Much like their opponents, the individual stat line of some of their players may not jump off the page, but you’d be kidding yourself if you think this team has a lack of firepower. Juniors Kalib (5G, 13A, 18Pts) and Riley Capecci (7G, 7A, 14Pts) can really skate, with the former cashing in two game-winning goals this season as a blue liner. Ty Simonet (10G, 12A, 22Pts), Robert Romarino (11G, 10A, 21Pts), and Cameron DeLeo (8G, 12A, 20Pts) round out the 20+ point club, while Anthony Yeager (3G, 12A, 15Pts) dished a dozen assists from the point. St. Augustine’s well-rounded approach to scoring might be just what they need to crack the code of the Don Bosco defense. Their magic number as a team is four goals. When they reach that mark, the Hermits are 11-0-0.

Defense:

Senior Bobby Kennedy has had a sensational run through the playoffs reminiscent of his performance last year. Against Notre Dame, Princeton Day, and Delbarton, he’s posted marks of a 1.33 GAA, and a .928 save percentage including a shutout. This isn’t much of a shock given his 1.82 GAA and .900 save percentage during the year as a whole, but it’s still impressive how he seems to play his best hockey when his team needs him most. The best micro matchup in this state title game just might be between the two goaltenders

X-Factor:

Playoff experience. Nothing quite prepares you for winning a championship like having already been there. Last season it seemed as if the Hermits defied all odds to get to the Rock, while this time around they seemed like seasoned Kings of the Hill daring opponents to give them their best shot. History may also be on their side as well as the Non-Public bracket is notorious for producing repeat champions. Christian Brothers (2020-22, 2014-15) and, Delbarton (2016-18, 2008-13) have made a habit out of it since the non-public schools got their very own title match in 2005.

The Non-Public State Final will take place at Prudential Center on Monday, March 4th, with puck drop at 1:00 PM.