'Stangs Hockey Hopeful for Postseason Splash

The Mustangs just want the chance.

After an eventful season that witnessed a 'brutal' schedule, has made waves, returning to the Shore Conference's Handchen Cup and are still hopeful for an at-large bid to the public A state playoffs later in February.

The Mustangs are 9-11-3 through Sunday's 8-0 loss to CBA, and with one game remaining on their regular season schedule, their fate to the playoffs have already been decided.

Brick Memorial will play Howell on Friday, although the game will have no complications towards the conference tournament or state playoffs.

"I think we didn't hit some of our goals, and I think there was some inconsistency in our play throughout the season," Brick Memorial head coach James Bruce said. "We played some very strong games against some very competetive teams and we were a little inconsistent in our performance against teams that we thought we should beat.

"It's been an up-and-down season, and we had a lot of successes in some tough games."

The 'Stangs had just three wins over their first nine games, leading to the dismissal of seniors Adam and Tyler Person.

The Person brothers – two of the team's leading goal scorers – were let go by Brick Township schools Athletic Director Bill Bruno in December after three years of choppy water with the program.

Brick Memorial dropped losses to Middletown South, 7-1 and 3-0, Brick Township, 2-1, and Red Bank Catholic, 3-0, early in the season.

The Mustangs avenged a few of those losses later, beating the Caseys' 3-2 the second time around, and tied Brick, 5-5, Friday night as the Dragons tied the game with 7 seconds left in the third period.

"I think we have improved as the season went on, but I would have liked to get off to a better start," Bruce said.

Sophomore Tim Schiess has filled the shoes of long-time goalie Kevin Talty, helping Brick Memorial to a 3.61 goals-against-average as a team.

Currently, Brick Memorial sits in fourth place in the Shore A division, reaching the Handchen Cup -- a tournament featuring the top four teams from the Shore A and Shore B divisions.

Last season, the 'Stangs entered the tournament as the sixth-seed, where they nearly upset Toms River South, falling 2-1 in overtime.

This year, Bruce expects his Mustangs to be able to play with the lower seeds just as well.

"I think we can put out some good games. We had a good game against Brick the other night. If we play our game, I think we can play with anybody. If we're not playing so well, obviously that will speak for itself," Bruce said.

Brick Memorial has played a vicious non-conference schedule as well, with losses to Ramapo, Wayne Valley, Ramsey, and Ridge.

"I think emotionally, the team has done a good job handling the losses," Bruce said. "We've played a brutal schedule. We played some really tough and competetive teams, so I think our schedule was one of the more difficult schedules in the area."

With seeds being released on Monday, the Mustangs won't know who they will play in the first round of the Handchen Cup until then, although many suggest it will either be Middletown South or Brick Township.

Brick Memorial has seen contributions from a number of players on both sides of the puck. Seniors Nick Spinelli, Tyler Viducic, and Justin Apgar have all played prominent roles, offensively.

Along the blue line, the 'Stangs have been anchored by captain Kyle Huhn and Colin Trevors.

Brick Memorial will play their opening round game, likely on the road, on Monday, Feb. 20.