Maroons Need to Plug Holes for Another Shot at Cup

Ridgewood lost a big chunk of the team from the 2010-11 squad that went 19-4-3 and won the Big North Gold Cup, and the Maroons are looking to match that mark with a group of seniors and driven underclassmen for 2011-2012.

To make it back to the promised land, it's pivotal that the team stay out of the penalty box, said head coach Mike Lucchesi. The Maroons collected 10 penalties against Tenafly, limiting the team's effectiveness on either end, resulting in a 4-1 loss.

Lucchesi may be able to cut his team some slack; he sees Tenafly as the favorite in the Big North Gold division in 2010-2011 and rebounded to drub Dumont/New Milford 11-0 in the second contest.

With a little refinement, his team has a good shot of making a division title appearance again, the coach said.

"I think we'll be able to put the puck in the net," said Lucchesi. "If we play well on defense and goal, we should do well."

In goal this year is senior Alex Santoliquido, who takes over for the graduated Kasey Zegel, who compiled an impressive 17-4-3 record as a starter. Santoliquido briefly had a taste last season in three games, posting a 2-0 record and a 2.00 goals against average with one shutout. He could split time with junior goalie Sean Treppedi. "He's played better than I thought," said Lucchesi of Santoliquido. "He's very competitive and a battler."

The team could go with the hot hand as opposed to one dedicated starter. "I can't give you a definitive answer," said Lucchesi last week about who will be in goal. "I told both of the guys that it will be an open competition for the right to be in goal."

The top player returning is senior forward Peter McGinley, who was first team All Big North last season with 25 goals and 22 assists last season. He returns as the top scorer. "He does everything for us," said Lucchesi of McGinley. "He's got a great shot and moves the puck well."

McGinley will lead the top line along with junior forward Zach Kinkella and senior Nick Tucci. The second line is centered by sophomore Alex Linton along with junior Michael Daniels and sophomore Andrew Seiter.

The biggest loss is on the back line, where the graduation of defensemen Ralph Volpe and Rob Garvey will require new blood. 

With the loss along the blue line Lucchesi has asked a couple of forwards to move to defense, including seniors David Hefferan – who may also see time at forward – and Collin Emery. "We lost a lot in the back and we needed to strengthen it and Collin is a big kid," said Lucchesi. Sophomore Corey Morgan, a starter last year, returns to help shore up the back line.

In the victory over Dumont, the Maroons deposited eight goals in the first period to put the game away. Four Ridgewood players scored two goals or more – Daniels and McGinley had three goals while Morgan and Kinkella chipped in with a pair of goals. Santoliquido made eight saves to preserve the shutout in goal.

For the first time, there will be a Bergen County Tournament which will start on January 12 and played at the Ice Vault in Wayne.
Lucchesi had little to say of the tournament, but he did point out some potential negatives – the location and its taking away of independent games.

Ridgewood 2011-12 ice hockey schedule
(Home games and those not noted are at Ice House in Hackensack)


Dec. 16 Clifton, 5:35 p.m.
Dec. 18 River Dell, 9 p.m.
Dec. 23 at Bayonne High School, 7 p.m.
Dec. 27 Holiday Tournament Ice Vault
Dec. 29 Holiday Tournament Ice Vault
January 2 at Fair Lawn, Floyd Hall, 7:40 p.m.
Jan. 6 Paramus Catholic, 5:35 p.m.
Jan. 7 Tenafly, 2:45 p.m.
Jan. 12-18 Bergen County Tournament, TBA
Jan. 20 Clifton, Floyd Hall, 7:10 p.m.
Jan. 22 Pascack Valley, 5 p.m.
Jan. 25 at Westfield, Warinanco, 8:30 p.m.
Feb. 3 Paramus Catholic, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 4 Pascack Valley, Sport-O-Rama, 9 p.m.
Feb. 11 River Dell, 2:45 p.m.
Feb. 12 Dumont, 3 p.m.
Feb. 17 Fair Lawn, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 20-28 Big North Gold playoffs, TBA