The theme of this year’s public hockey playoffs seems to be slaying ghosts, and after watching Westfield dispel their own in the first Sectional Final at Codey Arena, Ridgewood were able to do the same.

When these two teams met in last season’s Sectional Semifinal, Randolph stampeded their way back from an early two-goal deficit to cut the Maroon’s season short 5-3.

Not this time…

Ridgewood used the unbelievable chemistry and talents of Will & AJ LoSauro, and spectacular goaltending from Jack Scali, to roar out to a 4-0 lead, an advantage that they would never surrender.

The Rams made things scary though, potting a pair early in the third period, and forcing a timeout for Ridgewood, but a scare was all they could manage. The Maroons would sink a pair of empty-net goals to settle on a 6-2 final score.

Scali was as locked-in as ever, securing 47 saves in a dazzling performance against the state’s top offense.

“I felt great, I was really confident in the guys in front of me. They helped a lot in this too..” Scali said of his team’s performance as well as his own.

Ridgewood will need to be in top form this Monday, when they take on Westfield at the Prudential Center for the Public State Championship. Neither powerhouse has ever made it to the state finals, setting the stage for a historic afternoon at the Rock.