Cougars Can't Hang On Against Randolph

MORRISTOWN — Despite taking a 2-0 lead into the second period, Chatham's ice hockey team was unable to get it done against Randolph High School on Wednesday at Mennen Arena. The Cougars let up three unanswered goals and lost, 3-2.

Chatham Head Coach Harvey Cohen credited Randolph for its never-give-up mentality.

"They worked very hard," he said. "Randolph worked unbelievably hard."

Chatham, who came into the game ranked No. 12 in the Star-Ledger Top 20, got on the board late in the first period with a goal from Danny Casey. He was assisted by Trip Burke and Alex Rauter.

The Cougars scored again with under a minute to play in the first period on a Rauter goal. Burke and Casey assisted on the play.

Randolph dominated the attacking zone in the first period. Even though the team was unable to score, it led the shots on goal category 7-4 in the period and 17-10 in the game.

With that persistence, Randolph got on the board with a power play goal by Evan Jones in the second period. The power play came off the lone penalty of the game, which Jones said helped Randolph build momentum.

"We were turning around when we came out for the second," he said. "I'm glad I put that first one in to get the momentum back because that completely flipped our [mentality]. We always get the offense going, but we never get the goals. We finally got the goals going."

Cohen said the first goal was not the biggest difference maker for his team's opponent. Sixteen seconds later, Jones netted another goal to tie the game.

"They scored a goal on [the power play]," Cohen said. "That started them going, but then they scored a goal right there after and then they scored in the third period. It is what it is. They worked hard and they capitalized on their opportunities."

Jones agreed.

"As soon as we put those two in, it was a complete game changer," he said. "We went from being down two, worried, to being tied and being right back in the game."

Randolph's Nick Kovary scored the game-winner in the first two minutes of the third period to seal the victory. Goaltender Nick Gregorio toughened up down the stretch and made eight stops throughout the game for the No. 17 team in the Star-Ledger Top 20.

Chatham goaltender Charlie Boles had 14 saves as the team fell to 5-4-1 on the season.

The Cougars will look to bounce back from their current two-game losing streak when they take on Jefferson Township High School Saturday at 4pm at Skylands in Stockholm.