Dragons To Face Divisional Foe Middletown South in Semifinals Tonight

So often, state playoff games feature teams that are wholly unfamiliar with each other.

That won't be the case in the Ice Hockey Public 'B' semifinals Wednesday when Brick faces divisional rival Middletown South for the third time this season, at the Codey Arena in West Orange.

In two previous games this season, the Dragons won  5-1 and 3-1, respectivley.

After falling to Howell, 6-4, in the first round of the Handchen Cup, few expected the Eagles to make a deep run in the state playoffs.

Slated as the 11-seed, Middletown South ousted Nutley 5-2, however, in the first round at home before shocking Princeton 5-2 in the second round.

The Eagles certainly weren't done.

Playing in the Ice Vault, Middletown South took it to the three-seed, Mountain Lakes, in a 5-1 victory as they marched their way to the semi-finals, naming themselves this year's Cinderella team.

Brick downed Robbinsville in their second round match-up after earning a first-round bye, before a four-goal third period cemented themsevles a spot in the semi-finals in a 4-1 win at Mennen Arena over Verona Feb. 6.

The battle to watch in this shore conference semi-finals game is Eddie Rafferty, Brick's stellar goalie, and Middletown South net-minder Chris Marsillo. Both boys in net have the ability to take over a game, and both starred in their team's quarterfinals victories.