The Monroe Township High School ice hockey team received a boost of confidence.
That shot in the arm came when Monroe defeated Old Bridge High School, 8-3, on Feb. 7 at the Old Bridge Ice Arena.
“This just gives us confidence that we can beat them,” senior right wing Kyle Lange said. “Now we have to continue to do what worked here tonight so that we can beat them again.”
The Falcons were able to get out to a 2-0 lead on goals by senior Austen Poye with 12:08 left in the first period and freshman Vincent Foresta about seven minutes later.
However, it was the crucial five-goal third period that broke the game open for the Falcons.
Lange finished the game with three points, scoring a goal and passing for two assists, while junior Samuel Fishteyn fired in three goals, including the team’s last two in the third period. Fishteyn also scored Monroe’s only goal in the second period with 14:12 left.
“We had a poor first two periods because we just weren’t mentally focused,” Lange said. “But we came out in the third period hard and strong, put the puck in the net and finished our opportunities.”
“I thought we came out with a slow start,” Monroe coach Jerry Minter said. “Usually we’re a little better at moving the puck. The weather conditions didn’t help. It was really foggy, and the ice was slow. But we picked it up in the third, got back to what we do well, and it showed.”
Minter was thrilled that his team had confidence going into the rematch with Old Bridge in the first round of the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament on Feb. 12 at the Jersey Shore Arena in Wall.
The Falcons had also defeated Old Bridge on Jan. 19. That tight game resulted in a 3-0 score.
“It definitely helps as a confidence booster,” Minter said after the game on Feb. 7. “But it’s tough. It’s tough to beat a team three times in a year. No matter the sport, the level, it’s tough to beat a team three times in a year. So we need to study up and work on some of the things that didn’t go our way today.”
Old Bridge High School's Martha Dzieniszewska (13) steals the puck away from an opponent at a game against Monroe on Feb 7. Old Bridge was on the loosing side of a 8-3 game.▲
A Zamboni cleans up the ice at the Old Bridge Ice Rink on Feb 7.▲
Old Bridge High School's Alex Sech (6) competes to win possession of the puck during a faceoff at a game against Monroe on Feb 7. Old Bridge was on the loosing side of a 8-3 game.▲
Old Bridge High School's Dylan Schroesder (30) collects the puck to stop play behind the net at a game against Monroe on Feb 7. Old Bridge was on the loosing side of a 8-3 game.▲
Old Bridge High School's Fylan Schroeder (30) makes a save at a game against Monroe on Feb 7. Old Bridge was on the loosing side of a 8-3 game.▲
Old Bridge High School's Cole Niemann (20) skates the puck up the rink at a game against Monroe on Feb 7. Old Bridge was on the loosing side of a 8-3 game.▲
Old Bridge High School's Cole Niemann (20) takes a shot on goal at a game against Monroe on Feb 7. Old Bridge was on the loosing side of a 8-3 game.▲
Old Bridge High School's Matthew Kravets (8) scores allowing Peter Hernandez (14) to pick up his 100th point at a game against Monroe on Feb 7. Old Bridge was on the loosing side of a 8-3 game.▲
Old Bridge High School's Matthew Kravets (8) collects a puck that was dumped out of their offensive zone at a game against Monroe on Feb 7. Old Bridge was on the loosing side of a 8-3 game.▲
Old Bridge High School's Matthew Kravets (8) brings the puck up the rink at a game against Monroe on Feb 7. Old Bridge was on the loosing side of a 8-3 game.▲
Old Bridge High School's Matthew Kravets (8) dribbles the puck to capitalize on a scoring opportunity at a game against Monroe on Feb 7. Old Bridge was on the loosing side of a 8-3 game.▲
Old Bridge High School's Peter Hernandez (14) celebrates a milestone high school career reaching the 100th point plateau at a game against Monroe on Feb 7. Old Bridge was on the loosing side of a 8-3 game.▲
Old Bridge High School's Peter Hernandez (14) scores collecting his 101st point at a game against Monroe on Feb 7. Old Bridge was on the loosing side of a 8-3 game.▲
Old Bridge High School's Peter Hernandez (14) collects his 100th point as he picks up an assist at a game against Monroe on Feb 7. Old Bridge was on the loosing side of a 8-3 game.▲
Old Bridge High School's Martha Dzieniszewska (13) moves around the boards to create a scoring opportunity at a game against Monroe on Feb 7. Old Bridge was on the loosing side of a 8-3 game.▲
Old Bridge High School's Matha Dzieniszewska (13) collects a loose puck at a game against Monroe on Feb 7. Old Bridge was on the loosing side of a 8-3 game.▲
Monroe High School's Michael Benedetti (4) collects a loose puck at a game against Old Bridge on Feb 7. Monroe went on to win the game 8-3.▲
Old Bridge High School Hockey team awaits to celebrate the 100th point of Peter Hernandez (14) career at a game against Monroe on Feb 7. Old Bridge was on the loosing side of a 8-3 game.▲
Old Bridge High School's Peter Hernandez (14) collects his 100th point as he sets up his lineman with an assist at a game against Monroe on Feb 7. Old Bridge was on the loosing side of a 8-3 game.▲
Old Bridge High School's Peter Hernandez (14) collects his 100th point and he sets up his lineman with an assist at a game against Monroe on Feb 7. Old Bridge was on the loosing side of a 8-3 game.▲
Monroe High School's Anthony Zito (77) takes a shot on goal at a game against Old Bridge on Feb 7. Monroe went on to win the game 8-3.▲
Monroe High School's Anthony Zito (77) passes the puck off in hope to create as scoring chance at a game against Old Bridge on Feb 7. Monroe went on to win the game 8-3.▲
Monroe High School's Bryant Skurbe (10) tries to find a scoring opportunity at a game against Old Bridge on Feb 7. Monroe went on to win the game 8-3.▲
Monroe High School's Bryant Skurbe (10) poke checks a puck away from an opponent at a game against Old Bridge on Feb 7. Monroe went on to win the game 8-3.▲
Monroe High School's Matthew Skobelev (2) puts a big hit on an opponent at a game against Old Bridge on Feb 7. Monroe went on to win the game 8-3.▲
Monroe High School's Matthew Skobelev (2) skates the puck up the rink at a game against Old Bridge on Feb 7. Monroe went on to win the game 8-3.▲
Monroe High School's Matthew Skobelev (2) takes a shot on goal at a game against Old Bridge on Feb 7. Monroe went on to win the game 8-3.▲
Monroe High School's Matthew Skobelev (2) takes a shot on goal at a game against Old Bridge on Feb 7. Monroe went on to win the game 8-3.▲
Monroe High School's Austen Poye (15) collects a puck at the defensive end at a game against Old Bridge on Feb 7. Monroe went on to win the game 8-3.▲
Monroe High School's Anthony Lane (88) breaks through the defense at a game against Old Bridge on Feb 7. Monroe went on to win the game 8-3.▲
Monroe High School's Samuel Fishteyn (97) takes a shot on goal at a game against Old Bridge on Feb 7. Monroe went on to win the game 8-3.▲
Monroe High School's Samuel Fishteyn (97) wins a faceoff at a game against Old Bridge on Feb 7. Monroe went on to win the game 8-3.▲
