2024 NJSIAA ICE HOCKEY PUBLIC CO-OP CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW: Morris Knolls-Morris Hills vs Governor Livingston-New Providence

By, Reed Keller

Newark, NJ –

The 2023-24 season has thrilled us with everything we love about High School Hockey- record-setting performances, compelling matchups, and student-athletes becoming household names as they star night in and night out on Big State Sports broadcasts from Mennen Arena to Skylands Ice World and beyond. Now the season has trickled down to three games at Prudential Center to determine the top dog among the Public, Non-Public, and (as you’ll read below) the Public School Cooperative Programs.

Morris Knolls-Morris Hills Golden Eagles: (12-11-1, -11 Goal Differential)

How They Got Here:

The Golden Eagles finished 3-5 in the Mennen Division during the regular season, punctuated by a 3-7-0 record from January 11 to February 7. During that stretch, MK/MH suffered two losses to Morristown-Beard, a narrow defeat to Chatham, and two losses to Randolph by a combined 19-6 score, the latter of which ended their pursuit of a Mennen Cup in the Semifinals. Since then, Coach Tim Kepler has unlocked a renewed resolve in his squad. The Golden Eagles beat Lakeland 5-3 in the First Round, soared past Pascack Valley 9-4 in the Quarterfinals, upset second-seeded Kinnelon/Jefferson/Sparta 5-3 in the Semifinals, and finished their run to the Rock with a 6-2 win over top seeded Tenafly.

Offense:

As you may have noticed, Morris Knolls-Hills comes into this Final with a negative goal differential, but they are not without dynamic playmakers in the Offensive Zone. Seniors Jake McCloud (32 G, 33 A, 65 Pts) and Luke Dickerson (38 G, 18 A, 56 Pts) were two of just nine players in the MCSSIHL to surpass 50 points this season and were the only teammates to do so other than Jase Zangara and Andrew George of Randolph. Senior Michael Simone (8 G, 16 A, 24 Pts), Junior Dylan Williams (7 G, 13 A, 20 Pts), and Sophomores Brandon Strunck (6 G, 9 A, 15 PTS) and Ryan Nevins (5 G, 6 A, 11 Pts) were the other Golden Eagles to notch double digit point totals this season.

Defense:

Four goals allowed is the magic number when it comes to goals allowed for this group. Opponents tallied five or more goals in 12 of the Golden Eagles’ games this season, leading to a 1-10-1 record in those contests. In the other 12, they were 11-1-0. Freshman Nick Trento and Senior Benjamin Blender divided time in net, with the underclassman getting the call throughout this playoff run, allowing 12 goals on 101 shots.

X-Factor:

Luke Dickerson. Ask any Senior student-athlete and they will likely tell you they will run through a brick wall if it means they get to extend their last high school season. Dickerson has practically done just that, notching 14 goals in County Cup and State playoff games this season, including a five-goal performance in the win over Tenafly. They’ll need him to produce again to deliver a title.

Governor Livingston-New Providence Highlanders: 21-4-1, +74 Goal Differential

How They Got Here: The Highlanders practically have a standing reservation at the home of the Devils as this will be the third straight season they appear in the IronBound. This season’s run began with a 10-0 victory over Bayonne, followed by another shutout win, 3-0 over Colonia. The Highlanders then topped Howell 7-2 and Manasquan 2-1 to book their trip to the State Co-Op Final. They are 7-2-1 in their last ten games.

Offense:

The three names to watch are Seniors Jackson Benward (18 G, 41 A, 59 Pts), Brady Silverman (34 G, 22 A, 56 Pts), and Daltry Ferrigno (16 G, 28 A, 44 Pts). Their combined 159 points represent almost half of GL-NP’s offensive output this season, which is impressive considering the Highlanders had 11 different players register ten points or more. That group includes the likes of Junior Jacob Wachtel (8 G, 15 A, 23 Pts) and Senior Anthony Labisi (13 G, 8 A, 21 Pts) as well as Senior Jeremy Siksnius (3 G, 16 A, 19 Pts) who was the hero of last year’s epic final with his goal in the fourth overtime period to defeat Colonia.

Defense:

With Siksnius and Senior Jordan Baum patrolling the blue line, GL-NP can not only lock down their own zone, but transition quickly to their dangerous offense. On the occasion a shot does make it all the way to the blue paint, Junior Scott Capan has been rock solid in net, posting a .932 Save Percentage this season and only allowing three goals on at least 70 shots in the state tournament (shots on goal are missing from the Manasquan box score).

X-Factor:

Experience. Governor Livingston-New Providence is going for the three-peat. They’ve played on the big stage and performed in colossal moments. Obviously a championship game is special no matter how many times a team participates in it, but very little will occur in this game that will surprise the Highlanders. GL-NP has allowed three or more goals ten times this season. Their record is a solid 6-4 in those instances, thanks to their own powerful scoring barrage, so their toughest task is to contain McCloud and Dickerson and force Morris Knolls-Hills to get contributions from a secondary source of successful shots.

The Public Co-Op State Final will take place at Prudential Center on Monday, March 4th, with puck drop at 3:15 PM.

Cover Photo Credit: Mike Cahill