RBR Ice Hockey Keeps it in the Family

When the RBR Bucs varsity hockey team hits the ice Wednesday afternoon to compete in the Dowd Cup ice hockey tournament semifinals, it could be one of the last times two of its members gets to play together.

Brothers Jack and Brian Lynch of Little Silver have been playing ice hockey since they were each six but this year marks the first that they are actually playing on the same team. The senior and freshman come from a long line of hockey players as both of their parents grew up in the Boston area and their father coached the RBR team for three years until 2008.

Patch met up with the Lynch brothers, along with their dad Jay, before the team's practice on Tuesday at the Armory in Red Bank to get the lowdown on what it's like to play together.

While both boys played down that it was anything special, their father pointed out that Brian, 14, sometimes has a hard time remembering that Jack, 17, isn't just his older brother but also one of the team's three captains.

Jack told Patch he is heading to the University of New Haven in the fall. While he's not going to play hockey for the school, he says he'll probably bring his equipment and get involved in an intramural league.

He said that although he expected the RFH game on Wednesday to be "tough," he was feeling optimistic that the Bucs would come out on top. "We're feeling pretty confident after last night," Jack said of the team's win over St. Rose on Monday.

Jack and Brian's mom, Sharyn, said in an e-mail that although the boys played it down, being on the same team has been a positive experience. "It has been a great season for both of them and for Brian has enjoyed having Jack there to pave the way."

"They don't like to talk about it," said Sharyn, "but in my opinion it has made them closer."