Public A Finals: Randolph 1, Ridge 0
2009 NJSIAA High School Hockey Championships
Saturday, 03.21.2009 / 6:14 PM
/ Recap
New Jersey Devils
PrintAlex Zachowski's goal lifts Randolph over Ridge 
Alex Zachowski's unassisted tally in the first period was the game's only goal and handed the Rams their third title in the last four seasons. Ridge lost for the first time in its last 27 games (23-1-3). Alec Wells stopped 24 of 25 shots for Ridge, which became the second defending champion of the afternoon to fall via shutout. Ramsey dropped Kinnelon, the 2008 Public B champs, by a 2-0 count in the first contest of the day. Zachowski put a shot on goal from the right faceoff dot, and the puck found an opening between Wells' goalpads at 10:04 of the opening frame. Fullam took care of the rest for head coach Rich McLaughlin's group, which earned its fourth crown in the last seven seasons. With five minutes remaining in regulation and Ridge pressuring for the equalizer, Fullam robbed Dylan Gong in the slot, and recovered to turn away a rebound chance by Jake Hotz from the bottom of the left circle. Fullam caught a break with four minutes to go when Brett Kiliyanki's backhander floated off the left post and safely away from the cage. Wells made a strong stop on Evan Jones to keep Ridge within one. Later, Wells was well-positioned to handle Jones' wrister after the Randolph forward curled through the right circle, then around in front of the net. Ridge pulled Wells with just over a minute to go, but couldn't break through on Fullam, who was named to the Public A All-Tournament Team. Kyle Kepple blocked a Ridge point shot in the game's dying seconds to help secure the win. 2009 New Jersey Devils New Jersey State High School Public A All-Tournament Team Goaltender Dan Fullam Defensemen Stephen Rijo – Ridge Alex Zackowski – Randolph Forwards Brandon Palladino – Ridge Chris Sparno – Montgomery Dylan Colaneri – Randolph |
