Cranford Pucksters Can't Put Away Highlanders

Cranford's young hockey team had a couple of opportunities to pull off an upset at Governor Livingston. Yet the Highlanders' offense had just enough in them to thwart the Cougars' upset bid.         

The team's two-game winning streak came to an end Friday night after falling 7-4 to Governor Livingston at the Union Sports Arena. The Cougars dropped to 2-4 on the season while the Highlanders' record rose to 4-1.

"The difference was that they took advantage of their opportunities and we didn't," said Cranford head coach Rich Hurley.

Cranford led twice in the Union County game, the first time with a 1-0 lead and then in the second period, 3-2, with nine minutes remaining.

But each time, the more experienced and senior-oriented Highlanders would come back with a goal or two of their own.

"They are a very good offensive team, but I thought we had a lot of chances of our own," said Hurley.

Despite the loss, junior forward Eric Pawlick continued to be the Cougars' top offensive force and deposited a pair of goals and an assist.

"He is one of the fastest kids on the ice and is a very good puck handler," said Hurley about his junior forward.

Going into the third period, the Cougars were only down by one goal, 4-3, and were looking for the equalizer to set the tone for the final period.

"We talked about playing good defense, but that did not work out," said Hurley about the talk between the second and third periods.

Hurley was referring to Governor Livingston's Ted Udelsman, who put the puck past Cranford goal tender Mike Williams, three minutes into the period and the Cougars found themselves now down two goals, 5-3.

The difference in the game might have come with nine minutes left in the third period. Highlanders Ian Bruno went into the penalty box for interference giving Cranford a shot at getting closer to Governor Livingston.

The Cougars peppered Highlanders goaltender Matt Arrigoni several times, but either Arrigoni slapped the shots away or the Cranford forward would just miss the net. Cougars Bill Davitt and Sean Feeney along with other Cranford players had some nice opportunities, but could not light the lamp.

While the Cranford defense stayed steady, it finally let up as Governor Livingston's Cody Berquist got his second goal of the game and put the puck past Williams. The Cougars found themselves down 6-3 with a little over three minutes left in the game.

Russ Harvey scored the fourth Cougars' goal of the game. The other goal came from Pat Harnett who gave Cranford its 3-2 lead in the second period. Fenney, Luke Diano and Alex Plick also registered assists for the Cougars.

The Cougars take on a couple of Union County teams next week in Westfield on Monday at 6 p.m. and at Scotch Plains on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m., both at Warinanco Park.

Cranford ice hockey schedule

Dec. 21                  Westfield, Warinanco Park, 6 p.m.

Dec. 22                  at Scotch Plains, Warinanco Park, 8:30 p.m.

Jan. 2                     at Bernards, Rock Ice Pavillion, 1 p.m.

Jan. 4                     Verona, Warinanco Park, 6 p.m.

Jan. 6                     at Westfield, Warinanco Park, 8:30 p.m.

Jan. 11                   Johnson, Warinanco Park, 6 p.m.

Jan. 18                   Dayton, Warinanco Park, 6 p.m.

Jan. 19                   at Summit, Warinanco Park,  6 p.m.

Jan. 22                   at Princeton, Baker Arena, 7 p.m.

Jan. 25                   Scotch Plains, Warinanco Park, 6 p.m.

Jan. 27                   at Johnson, Warinanco Park, 6 p.m.

Feb. 1                     Summit, Warinanco Park, 6 p.m.

Feb. 3                     Middletown North, Warinaco Park, 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 5                     at Dayton, Union Sports Arena, 9:10 p.m.

Feb. 8                     Governor Livingston, Warinanco Park, 6 p.m.

Feb. 10                   at Bridgewater-Raritan, Rock Ice Pavilion, 5:15 p.m.

Feb. 13                   at Watchung Hills, Union Sports Arena, 6:20 p.m.