Rebels Drop Final Regular Season Game

RED BANK -- Just hours after learning they had earned a fourth seed in the upcoming Handchen Cup tournament, the Howell Rebels (16-6-1, no. 23) were set to battle with Red Bank Catholic in their final regular season match-up.

Brandon Yaegel scored the lone Howell goal and James Bodeker made 20 saves as the Rebels fell to the Caseys (13-6-4, no. 34), 5-1, at the Red Bank Armory in Red Bank.

"We started in a little disarray," Howell head coach Bill Daley said, "James [Bodeker] got the call last minute so it was tough for him to prepare mentally and tough for the team to prepare mentally as well for James [Bodeker]."

Regular goalie Zack Peras missed the game due to an illness as Bodeker did all he could against a tough, physical Red Bank Catholic squad.

Yaegel's power play goal came in the first period, tying the game at one when he finished off a pass from senior Mike Kochenash. Senior Eddie Pyskaty also had an assist.

The power play nod was the only successful attempt on the night. Overall, the Rebels went one-for-five including a five-on-three in the second period in which they tallied zero shots.

The Caseys scored four unanswered goals to end the game and connected on their only power play oppurtunity, which also came in the first period.

Still, when asked if the loss was a cause for concern heading into post-season play, Daley seemed very confident in his Howell team.

"No, not whatsoever," he said, "I told the team to be like elephants and just forget this game. So we're forgetting the loss and moving forward."

Greg Buckley had a strong game for Howell but was unable to produce any type of offense on the second line, which was changed throughout the night.

Pyskaty had a a good night for the Rebels once again but at the end of the day, Howell did not have enough firepower to battle with the Caseys.

Freshman standout Trevor Heuser left the game late with an apparent leg injury and is his status in unknown for the Handchen Cup.

When asked about Howell's first-round match-up with rival Middletown South in the Handchecn Cup, the head coach seemed eager to play them.

"We are 100% ready to go," he said, "We're going to take it to [Middletown South] and then get some revenge on Brick."

Howell will likely play Middletown South on Saturday, Feb. 19 or Sunday, Feb. 20.