PUBLIC PLAYOFFS SEMIFINALS
#4 Ridgewood @ #1 Randolph
This Randolph offense seems to run on unlimited gasoline, scoring seven goals in their quarterfinal matchup against Livingston. The test now gets astronomically harder as the Rams have not faced a team as big and as physically demanding as Ridgewood. Jack Scully pitched a 3-0 shutout against Ramapo, and the goal scorers for Randolph are going to have a problem with an elite goaltender, I do think the offensive skill of the Rams blue line will come through with them, and Randolph will head to the semi finals.
Peter’s Pick-Randolph 3-1
#3 Chatham @ #2 Northern Highlands
Vincenzo Capano has been on a scoring tear with 40 points for Northern Highlands. He had a goal and three assists against PCTI in the last round. The offense is going to show as well for Chatham, but in the second meeting of these teams this year I think it will go very similar to the way the first meeting went with the Cougars defense unable to stop a red hot Highlanders offense.
Peter’s Pick- Northern Highlands 9-6
CO-OP SEMIFINALS
#5 West Milford- Pequannock- Pompton Lakes @ #1 Tenafly-Cresskill Tigers
This West Milford team, has continued to roll for lines and adopt the offensive play as well as a physical for checking brand of hockey. Nowhere has this been more evident than the skill of physical score, Matt Watt. He has really been a playoff leader, notching, assists and goals, and also being able to lay the body on the top players of opposing teams. Against Wayne, you can see the success still building for Tenafly, but at the same time you can also see the Tigers seem to be weakened by the physical play. Now playing a deeper offensive and defensive team in the West Milford co-op, I think this will be game over for the Tigers.
Peter’s Pick-West Milford- Pequannock- Pompton Lakes
#6 Morris Knolls Morris Hills Golden Eagles @ #2 KJS United
I believe in this game you were going to learn even more about the offensive dynamo for MK,MH, Luke, Dickerson. This Golden Eagles team has been hurt. They have gone through so many trials and tribulations, but what they have done in the playoffs with their wins over Lakeland and the Pascack team, it’s been inspiring. However, this is a KJS team that defeated MKMH early in the season when this was seen as a titanic upset with a Halvorson team defeating a Mennen team. That was on this very Skylands ice and the one problem for MKMH is that they have struggled with inconsistency, KJS is all about consistency and I think once more you’re going to get a monster game from Rylan Gibbons.
Peter’s Pick- KJS United 3-2