Newark, NJ — The stage was certainly set for a blockbuster affair at the Prudential center on Monday. Delbarton and the Christian Brothers Academy have been neck-and-neck in multiple publications (including our own) for the claim of top team in the state all season, and this was the final chance to set the record straight.

Though the Green Wave won all three prior meetings this season — including a thrilling Gordon Cup Final — no one played them harder than the Colts, and they learned plenty from that 4-3 overtime loss last month.

CBA showed their hand from opening puck drop, playing fast and calculated, the same strategy used to send the Gordon Cup to an extra period. Green Wave goaltender George Cote was under duress at many points, particularly on the penalty kill, but ultimately he and his teammates held the line, and even through in some shots of their own on the way to a scoreless first.

The gloves came off in the second, with Delbarton captain, and Montclair native Jack Gerne breaking the stalemate off a gorgeous feed from Igor Andreev less than four minutes in. CBA then answered with a magnificent individual effort from Nick Desiderio to equalize.

Before Desiderio’s goal could finish being announced, Sean O’Gwen, who’s been nails all postseason, potted his fourth of the state playoffs to give the Green Wave a lead they’d hold onto for good.

Cote was dazzling in his final high school game, stopping 29 of 30. In four meetings against the second best team in the state, he went 4-0-0, with a 2.00 GAA, a .920 sv% and a shutout.

Dante Rodriguez added a trio of points, including a pair of goals, and Jack Ross notched one through to complete the 5-1 final scoreline.

With the win, Delbarton now have a staggering 14 state titles in hockey, and their first since 2018. They’re now four up on Brick for the most in the state, and have five more than CBA.

The Green Wave will enter 2025-26 on a 22 game unbeaten streak in the state of New Jersey.