Saint John Vianney High School's Jeremy Connor (30) makes a glove save at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.
Saint John Vianney High School’s ice hockey team proved why it was seeded first overall in the Shore Conference Tournament when it scored convincing victories in all three rounds to capture the Handchen Cup.
The Lancers surrendered just two goals the entire tournament, including two shutouts, while netting 25 goals of their own for a dominant showing.
Saint John Vianney came back from a 2-0 deficit to Middletown High School South in the championship game on Feb. 15 at the Jersey Shore Arena in Wall Township to secure the title.
Junior John Gutt netted a hat trick and assisted on two goals, while junior John Gelatt posted six points between two goals and four assists to lead Saint John Vianney, which exploded for five goals in the third period after entering the frame tied, 2-2, with Middletown South.
The Lancers faced a stern opponent in goal when they met Red Bank Catholic (RBC) High School in the semifinals at Jersey Shore Arena on Feb. 13. However, Saint John Vianney managed to get the puck past him in a 4-0 victory.
“We knew we were facing a really good goaltender in Ciaran McNelis,” Saint John Vianney senior left wing Kevyn Rigatti said of the senior at RBC. “He played phenomenal the whole game through, and it was hard getting pucks by him. We knew we had to create some traffic in front of the net.”
Rigatti posted a hat trick to lead the Lancers’ effort against RBC and McNelis, who made 48 saves. Rigatti netted the first goal late in the second period, and he extended the Lancers’ lead to 2-0 two minutes into the third period. He capped his scoring for the game on an empty-netter with two minutes remaining. Gelatt also had a goal for the Lancers in the third period.
“It feels good,” Rigatti said. “I’m always trying to help my team as much as possible, so to get a hat trick against a great rival in RBC is a dream come true.”
Rigatti noted that Saint John Vianney’s offensive showing against a goalie like McNelis gave the team momentum heading into future contests.
The loss dropped RBC’s record to 9-11-3, but senior defenseman Jason Harper was still pleased with how the Caseys played, especially the effort by McNelis.
“Our goaltender stood on his head and played fantastic,” Harper said. “Our forwards got the puck out and had some really good chances. Obviously, we weren’t able to capitalize on them, but I think the boys played really hard today.”
Harper believed the game was a good learning experience for RBC.
“I think this is going to be a big learning lesson for us,” he said. “We need to come out strong in the third period. Just keep playing. Never let up.”
To advance to the game against RBC, Saint John Vianney posted a 14-0 victory over Central Regional High School in a balanced scoring effort. Twelve difference players posted goals for the Lancers in the first-round victory at Jersey Shore Arena on Feb. 7.
Saint John Vianney, which improved to 19-3-2 on the season with the Handchen Cup victory, moved on to the state tournament. The Lancers earned the eighth seed in the Non-Public bracket and were scheduled to face ninth-seeded Pope John XXIII Regional High School of Sparta on Feb. 22.
Saint John Vianney High School's Jason Harper (23) collects the puck along the boards at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Red Bank Catholic High School's Brian Anderson (26) skates his way around the goalpost at a game against Saint John Viannay on Feb 13 in the Shore Conference Tournament. Red Bank took a loss in the 4-0 game.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Brian Anderson (26) skates the puck away from a defender at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Brian Anderson (26) skates the puck through a congested defense at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Brian Anderson (26) dribbles the puck away from his defender at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Brian Anderson (26) poke checks the puck away from an attack as Ciaran McNelis (61) sets up for a save at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Brian Anderson (26) skates the puck through the offensive zone at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School congratulates their opponent at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Mario Flego (11) takes a shot on goal after a rebound at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Mario Flego (11) takes a shot on goal after a breakaway at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Logan Gallagher (15) skates into the offensive zone at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Logan Gallagher (15) competes for a puck along the boards at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Jason Harper (23) skates the puck to the neutral zone trying to clear the defensive area at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Jason Harper (23) steals the puck away from an opponent at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Dom Troisi (9) skates the puck around the goalie to create a scoring chance at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Jason Harper (23) skates the puck across the offensive zone at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Jason Harper (23) takes a shot on goal at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Jason Harper (23) makes a hit along the boards to maintain possession of the puck at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Jason Harper (23) passes the puck along the boards to his teammate Logan Gallagher (15) at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's George Hart (4) competes in a faceoff at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's George Hart (4) competes for a faceoff at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Kevin Jennings (8) maintains the puck in the offensive zone at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Ciaran McNelis (61) makes a save at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Cairan McNelis (61) reaches out for a loose puck at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Ciaran McNelis (61) makes a save as an opponent interferes with the play at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Ciaras McNelis (61) makes a glove save at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Ciaran McNelis (61) poke checks the puck away from an incoming attack at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Nicholas Reed (12) competes for a puck along the boards at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's John Gutt (28) skates the puck around the boards at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's celebrates a victory and congratulates the opposing team at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Jeremy Connor (30) makes a save at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Jeremy Conor (30) passes the puck after a save at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Jeremy Connor (30) makes a save from with help from his defenseman, (14) (4) at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Jeremy Connor (30) makes a glove save at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Jeremy Connor (30) makes a pad save at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's John Gelatt (21) skates the puck into the offensive zone at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's John Gelatt (21) passes the puck around the boards at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's John Gelatt (21) skates the puck through the neutral zone at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's John Gelatt (21) takes a shot that resulted in a goal at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Jon Gelatt (21) celebrates a goal with his teammates at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's John Gelatt (21) looks for an open teammate at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's John Gutt (28) swipes the puck away from a brawl on the boards at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School celebrates a goal at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's John Gutt (28) skates the puck out of the defensive zone at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's AJ Micalizzi (4) reads the defense at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's AJ Micalizzi (4) skates his way through the defense at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Colin Meany (2) looks to create a scoring oppurtunity at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's AJ Micalizzi (4) steals the puck away and skates off for a breakaway at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's AJ Micalizzi (4) hits a player along the boards at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's John Gutt (28) passes the puck behind the opponents goalie to teammate John Gelatt (21) at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Kevyn Rigatti (7) celebrates one of 3 goals for a hat trick at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Kevyn Rigatti (7) celebrates one of three goals for a hat trick at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Kevyn Rigatti (7) celebrates his third goal of the day at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Brett Schneider (8) gets hit from behind trying to finish off a scoring oppurtunity at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Dom Troisi (9) wins a faceoff at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
Saint John Vianney High School's Dom Troisi (9) skates the puck away from a collision at the boards at a game against Red Bank Catholic on Feb 13 at the Shore Conference Tournament. SJV went on to win the game 4-0.▲
