Memorial Skates Past Pascack Valley, Advances in State Playoffs

With time running out late in the second period and the Mustangs clinging to a small, 4-3 lead, it was apparent Brick Memorial (10-10-4, seeded 12th) was picking up their game and looking for the knockout blow.

Colin Trevors buried a net-mouth scramble with just 42 seconds left for his second goal of the game and captain Jay Franceschini scored his second goal just 27 seconds into the third period as Brick Memorial pulled away for the 7-4 win over Pascack Valley (12-8-2, seeded 21st). The game represented round one of the NJSIAA Public 'A' state playoffs at Ocean Ice Palace.

"It's huge," Franceschini said of the goals. "To come out here and beat a decent team. [Colin Trevors] goal gave us a huge momentum boost and let us relax a little bit."

Trevors, Franceschini and Tyler Person each scored twice and Kevin Talty made 15 saves as the Mustangs took care of Indians.

Person opened the scoring less than three minutes into the game when Kyle Huhn threw a pass across the slot that found Person. The junior nearly connected later in the period when his twin brother, Adam, flung a pass across the crease.

After an Indians goal on the power play to even the game at one, Huhn nearly struck gold, striking the cross-bar with his shot. Franceschini would later put the Mustangs on top when his second-period slap shot rung off the post and in as Memorial took the 2-1 lead.

After another Pascack Valley power play goal to knot things up at two, the 'Stangs appeared to take control, as Trevors and Person scored 19 seconds apart, giving the boys in white a 4-2 advantage.

Steven McDermitt scored an empty net goal in the final minute to finish off the scoring.

Brick Memorial went scoreless on all three of their power play chances while the Mustangs defense stepped up late, killing off four of the six penalties they took throughout the night.

"The less shots the better," Franceschini said of his team's defensive play. "It'll help us go far in the tournament."

Huhn had two assists on the night, assisting on Trevor's first goal as he took his own rebound, cycled around the net and found the open forward. Junior Nick Spinelli also had two assists in the game. Franceschini added an assist to his impressive night, finishing with three points.

With the win, the Mustangs will go on to face the winner of Ridge and Fair Lawn. A higher seed, Ridge is favored to win that game. The two teams faced off earlier in the season, with the game ending in a tie in Bridgewater. Last season, the Mustangs edged out Ridge in a shootout in the second round of the state playoffs.

"We tied Ridge and I think we can beat them," Franceschini said. "I don't expect anything less than a win."

The game is slated for Thursday at a time to be announced.