Fair Lawn Icemen Ousted from State Tourney by Ridge

It didn't take long for fifth-seeded Ridge High School to assert itself against the 28th-seeded ice hockey team in a first-round NJSIAA Public A playoff tilt Tuesday night.

Only 54 seconds into the game at Bridgewater Sports Arena, the Red Devils' Matt Zarabara—with assists from Keith Knapp and Kyle Leddy—scored the first goal. Eventually, the Cutters totaled 16 shots on goal to Ridge's 29 in a 6-0 defeat.

As the game drew to a close, Fair Lawn seemed to come to life, but the Ridge defense and forechecking closed the door.

"We had our chances and we missed some shots," Cutters Coach Barack Healy said. "Ridge is a good team and they should go far in this tournament."

The remainder of the first period after Zarabara's goal showed little advantage from either side. That is up until the final minute of the period. With just 20 seconds remaining, Tom Carpenter, Chris Mastroianni and Knapp were positioned in front of the Fair Lawn goal. A whistle blew and a goal was scored. Controversy ensued as many thought the whistle blew and then the puck sailed into the goal. 

After much discussion, the referees determined that the goal would stand.

Healy felt that goal had a huge impact. 

"It was a back breaker," he said. "It really took the wind out of our sails."

The seoncd period was all Ridge, with goals came from Tom Carpenter, Leddy and Keith Knapp in the last four minutes of the period. In the third period, Knapp would add another goal for Ridge.