By reporter Ian Stephenson
Glen Rock’s varsity ice hockey team got back on the right track this weekend with a win over Ramsey 4-0 on Saturday, before tying Mahwah the next day, completing the season series with both teams. These results brought the team to 9-7-2 with only two games to go before the state tournament, where Glen Rock will attempt to win the first ever Public C championship.
On Saturday, it took Glen Rock nearly a period and a half to take advantage of their positive shot differential at Wayne’s Ice Vault when freshman David Hymovitch put away his fourth goal of the season off a pass from Jared Brassil. Less than a minute later, the Panthers struck again through alternate captain Derek Kelly, who redirected a shot from John LaMacchia in front. Goaltender Ryan McAuley, who finished with 17 saves, kept Glen Rock’s lead intact from then until the end of the period, when Brassil beat Ramsey goalie Jon Kopack as the second period expired, giving Glen Rock more momentum entering the final frame. Kelly would add a second goal in the third to make the lead safe.
Sunday was senior day at the Ice House in Hackensack, as Glen Rock honored its seven seniors- goaltenders McAuley and Ruslan Geiger, defensemen Spencer Jeffries and LaMacchia, and forwards Kelly, Matt Maselli, and Eddie Corvelli- before their 1-1 tie against Mahwah. The game proved to be a frustrating one for Glen Rock, as neither team was able to generate too many good scoring chances until the third period when Corvelli scored his 9th goal of the season and 61st of his career with a shot from the right wing that went to the top left corner. From there, it seemed as though Glen Rock would hold on, however Mahwah scored with 48 seconds left on a powerplay when they had pulled their goaltender as well, giving them a 6-on-4 advantage.
Glen Rock will host the defending Public A state champion Ridge on Saturday night at the Ice House before facing Ramapo on Sunday afternoon at the Ice Vault, their final games before the state playoffs.
