Still An Incredible Season! Thank you Comets!

02.22.13 Comets 2 - Toms River East 6

Well it was off to south Jersey for the preliminary round of the State Playoffs. The way these State playoffs go, everyone expected the Comets to play a top seeded team. But since this was a preliminary round, the Comets (ranked 36), would be playing Toms River East (ranked 28th). The potential was there for the Comets to be competitive in this game.

However the Comets got off to a shaky start and quickly found themselves down 0-3 early in the first period. Typical of this Comets team, however, giving up just was not in their make up. They battle and made it 1-3, only to have Toms River put another one in. Toms River would score 2 more times ending the first period 6-1.

Things were not looking good. Exhausted, the Comets would simply not fold. They pulled together, and played a much stronger 2nd period, only giving up one goal, though failing to score any. Then came the 3rd. As if playing with only 7 experienced skaters isn't hard enough, Thomas would be out for the 3rd period due to a broken skate blade, and Robbie would also sit out suffering from a re-aggraveted injury from an earlier game. 

So now this team that had played short on players all season was now down to 5 regular skaters. Easy to do the math ... no one would come off the ice for the third. The Comets fought hard, never giving up, but would end the game with a 2-9 loss.

I would like to mention that in the closing minutes of the game, Coach Church made a move to show his appreciation to the other less experienced players on the team. Alex, Ben and Robbie all got to see the ice at the end of the game. Not bad for these players' first State playoff game appearance. This was a move that showed real class to a team that I feel has shown nothing but class all season. I applaud this team, all 13 players (let's not forget our goalie who with only 16 months experience, has played incredible)for giving us a season that was well above any of our expectation! I also applaud the coaches for keeping these players up for every game, as well as our team manager Christina, for being there for them at every game!

Gold Cup Quarter Finals ...

02.16.13   Comets 2 - Fair Lawn 6

Going into this quarter final game, we knew it was going to be tough. Fair Lawn has played the Comets tough all season and this playoff game was going to be no different. Except now, it seemed the coaches were finally figuring out that the Comets had a short bench of experienced players.

Right from the start of the game, you could hear the FL coaches screaming for their players to keep dumping the puck deep into the Comets zone. All this back and forth skating was finally taking a toll on the Comets.

But never did the Comets give up. True to their form, they gave it everything they had right to the final second. But the 4 goal deficit was just to much to overcome. The Comets regular season would finally come to a close, with FL winning 6-2. Now the Comets would have to focus all their efforts on the State Playoffs.

A Solid Win ... And Clinching A Spot in the State Playoffs

02.02.13   Comets 6 - Passaic Valley 2

The Comets seemed to be back on track. Passaic Valley surely has struggled this season, but if the Comets took them lightly, this game could have turned out like last night's game against Bayonne. But the Comets did not let that happened. They played 3 solid periods, even without Thomas on the ice (though let's hope he is back soon!) 

The Comets scored the first goal quickly in the first period, and quickly added two more to finish the first period with a 3-0 lead. The second period, PV started playing a lot more physical, and managed to close the lead to 4-2. However the third period would be all Comets.

The game in the third continued to get more physical, with both teams trading penalties, and a few swings. But it would be the Comets to add one more goal to increase the lead to 5-2. Eventually an open net goal would finish the game with a 6-2 lead. This win will guarantee the Comets an appearance in the State Playoffs! Nice work boys! ... now Thomas just needs to rest and get back on the ice!

Oh and thanks Mrs. Wickersheim for contributing to these photos!

Senior Night ...

02.01.13 Comets 3 - Bayonne 3

Well the night started off great thanks to all the efforts to put together a quick ceremony for our graduating seniors. Mr. Wexler did a great job doing the announcing for the ceremony. Also, a big thank you to Mrs. Foschini for picking up the flowers for Greg, Austin, and Scott to present to their moms as well as Christina. Also a thanks to Mr. Holmes for putting it all together . Now onto the game...

I think everyone was expecting the game to be pretty one sided for Comets, based on their last meeting. That was everyone except for Bayonne. They came out strong and fighting and went ahead 1-0. Bayonne then went ahead on a fluke-type goal, soon followed by a third goal. The Comets were now facing a big hole to climb out of. The Comets did manage to score a goal prior to the end of the first period.

The second period saw the return to Robbie Marut to the ice, and he quickly made a difference, scoring the second goal for the Comets, closing the gap to just 2 -3. Then on to the 3rd period. Early on in the 3rd, the Comets came up with the tying goal. This would be how the game would end. It was a bit of a roller coaster, but at least the Comets did manage to pull our a tie. Now on to Passaic Valley tomorrow night at Floyd Hall.