Logan Winslow and KJS United celebrate scoring a goal against MOHOHA.

PUBLIC PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND

#16 Millburn @ #1 Randolph

The Millers really showed up with a statement 6–1 victory over West Orange with Bobby Hansen’s hat trick. As tough as that matchup against the Mountaineers was however, they know the mountain has gotten astronomically steeper. The playoffs have finally arrived for undefeated Randolph. The Rams also know that they are five wins away from legendary status in the state. We will have to see how Crisafulli and Sharkey play, but I am picking Randolph to win their 20th game in a row.

Peter’s Pick-Randolph 9-1

#9 Livingston @ #8 Summit

In this matchup, you have two teams coming at each other with offenses, but from different trajectories. Summit did not start out as well as they would have liked, but they got to their cup final with a couple of upsets, and they are flying high. Early in the season, Livingston seemed like they could do no wrong, and had a huge overtime victory, the first in Cody Arena regular season history over Verona-Glen Ridge. Since then they have cooled off, but they still have the goaltending and those top two lines are fearsome. history, transcribes that you go with the hot team. I am going to ignore history. I really like what this Livingston team has in store offensively.

Peter’s Pick- Livingston 4-3

#12 West Morris Central @ #5 Ramapo

This is the time of year, where we are really going to figure out what this Raiders team can accomplish. Pat Hogan has lead Ramapo in goals and this team is structured with a team unit in mind, not in any way where one player is the whole team, but where everyone combines as a cohesive unit and it has propelled Ramapo in a very tough schedule to be at the position they are at, and they were always in games against large programs like Saint Joseph Montvale and northern Highlands. On the other side of things you’ve got a very young West Morris Central team, but they can score goals. Ben Barnhill as well as Tommy Togno, can fill up the net like confetti, Togno is a point away from a 50 point season, and the Wolfpack is one of those teams that you are always going to have to deal with their goal scoring. I am still going with this Ramapo team due to all of the tough hockey teams they have played, but do not sleep on West Morris.

Peter’s Pick- Ramapo 5-3

#13 Mendham @ #4 Ridgewood 

Mendum has defined toughness and resilience throughout this season, having to deal with injuries and bad brakes, but there is a sense of calm now that they have found themselves into the playoffs. Ian Aikenhead is going to be relied on to be a big goalscorer for Mendham. On the other side, Ridgewood relies on physicality and speed and have improved from last season and they are going to be favored in this game. AJ LoSauro has also been prolific, and I will take Ridgewood.

Peter’s Pick- Ridgewood 6-1

#14 Madison @ #3 Chatham

There was a lot of growth shown in the Dodgers playoff win against Mahwah. Once again, the Gero cousins were quite good and tested Mahwah goaltending. But they run into another beast in their provincial rival Chatham after the Cougars emotional loss in the Mennen final, it’s going to be up to Thomas White and Matt Nacinovich to start another lancing playoff run. I believe it will start against Madison.

Peter’s Pick-Chatham 7-3

#11 Montclair @ #6 Glen Rock

Montclair has found themselves in a bit of a underdog position. Over the years this has been unfamiliar territory for the mountains, but it will have to pass. Sam Rotella scored 50 points this season and was big-time in their statement victories. Glen Rock also has been very consistent, but I think the size of Montclair will be the difference in this one.

Peter’s Pick- Montclair 4-3

#10 Morristown @ #7 Passaic County Technical Institute

This match up is so fitting for both of these teams. Both of these teams like to play. Physically, they like to hit and they have great goaltending. I’m going to give Morristown the edge here because their goaltending is superb, it is a level higher than PCTI’s.

Peter’s Pick- Morristown 3-2

#18 Roxbury @ #2 Northern Highlands 

Winner advances to #2 Northern Highlands 

Well, it’s an understatement to say that this Roxbury team is playing as hot as a firecracker right now. Ryan VanZile really helped the Gaels stun Montville. At the same time this Northern Highlands team is a different beast, therefore are as good as any in the state, and this will be a good test for them, I still have to go with the Highlanders.

Peter’s Pick- Northern Highlands 7-1

CO-OP 1ST ROUND

#16 Newton Lenape Valley @ #1 Tenafly-Cresskill Tigers

I would definitely say that MLV passed their test. Their offense was in great form against Clifton United and Brayden Dabrowski played better than well. Now we get to see this vaunted defense from Tenafly – Cresskill, the Knause brothers, and especially Won He-Cho will be the top guys anchoring the blue line for the Tigers and key players for NLV to stop, I don’t believe these guys are going to be stopped.

Peter’s Pick-Tenafly-Cresskill 5-1 

#9 Wayne Hills Wayne Valley @ # 8 River Dell-Westwood

River Dell –Westwood have improved their depth, and they have improved their goals scoring, one of the reasons why they are top eight in North Jersey co-ops. However, the  speed level the Wayne co-op seems to improve in the last couple of days and games and I see them as one of the teams in the state that are getting hot at the right time, and I am going to go with the Wayne co-op. 

Peter’s Pick- Wayne Hills Wayne Valley 6-2

#12 Nutley – Bloomfield @ #5 West Milford – Pequannock – Pompton Lakes

These two teams definitely understand how physicality can mesh with speed. WMPQ lives off of wingers that make a hit and then make a play, both of these teams definitely feel that they should be in a better spot, but that frustration will be vented in this matchup. There’s too much experience in size on the side of WMPQ to not go with them.

Peter’s Pick – West Milford – Pequannock – Pompton Lakes 4-1

#13 Fair Lawn-Dumont-Bergenfield Cutters @  #4 Verona-Glen Ridge

I think you’ve got a lot of confidence when you look at the cutters and you see how well offensively that they were able to play against the Carney co-op. VGR is coming off and emotional victory as well. There are five overtime cup win. offense is the name of the game, and I’m going to favor the top seat

Peter’s Pick- Verona Glen-Ridge 5-2

#14 Park Regional @ #3 Pascack Valley Pascack Hills 

Austin and Zack Groves have led Pascack to a dominant record and their shocking upset of Northern Highlands. Park Regional comes into this game on a short period of rest, but full of physical play, they can take this game the distance but it is hard to go against the Groves and Pascack.

Peter’s Pick- Pascack Valley Pascack Hills 5-1

#11 Lakeland-Hawthorne-Waldwick Lancers @ #6 Morris Knolls Morris Hills Golden Eagles

MKMH has been awaiting the playoffs for what has seemed to be an eternity. This team finally gets goal scorers like Luke Dickerson ready for the prime time which is the playoffs. The Lancers also have a speedy team that has shocked some title contenders, but I believe the Lakeland co-op has awoken a sleeping dragon.

Peter’s Pick- Morris Knolls Morris Hills 8-4

#10 Ramsey- Indian Hills @ #7 West Essex-Caldwell Knights

Luca Infusino has done a quality job of leading WEC and this team who has seemed to find it’s identity is now looking to build upon its regular season. Ramsey-Indian Hills have good forechecking but in a great goaltending battle, I favor Zieminski and the Knights.

#15 MOHOHA @ #2 KJS United

Talon Muscolino stood on his head against the Killcats. McGary got a boost of confidence and they’ll need it in a Halvorsen playoff battle against KJS. The Prunty’s are going to be in the spotlight, and this should be another quality typical KJS game from their goaltender Gibbons, KJS is a steamroller and they don’t seem like they’ve lost any traction.

Peter’s Pick- KJS United 5-0