Boys Ice Hockey Loses to Cranford 3-1

ROSELLE–Summit went into Tuesday night's game without several of their strongest players, putting them at a significant disadvantage from the beginning.  The boys played as best they could, but it was clear they were off their game. In the end, the Hilltoppers were unable to hold off the Cougars as they lost 3-1.

Mike Santina and Mike Tsiang both had to miss the game due to illness and a broken skate blade would force Trevor Silverstein to leave the game early.  A talented Hilltopper team made the best they could out of the situation, but as they started to get tired, their teammates' absence was felt.

"You do what you can," said head coach Keith Nixon, "but our game plan was really thrown off."

The first period included strong skating and puck handling from each team, but neither seemed to be able to gain a clear advantage. The period ended tied 0-0.

Cranford and Summit each had their opportunities but Cranford's Eric Pawlick scored first on an assist from Tom Fitzgerald.

An interference call would set up a Summit power play that the Hilltoppers took full advantage of.  Jeff Wycoff evened up the game.

The boys would go into the locker room tied 1-1.

Tensions were running high, and the Hilltoppers seemed to let it get the best of them. They started the period a man down after being called for interference late in the second period. A second interference call would give the Cougars a two-man advantage.  Though Cranford failed to capitalize on the opportunity, the Hilltoppers were noticeably worn down.

Another penalty for high sticking gave Cranford another power play. Again, the Hilltoppers held them off, but the little mistakes were becoming more apparent, and Cranford finally took the lead when Cranford's Fitzgerald found the back of the net off an assist from Luke Diano.

In the final seconds of the game, the Hilltoppers pulled their goaltender in an attempt to put more pressure on the Cougars, but a bad pass was intercepted by Cranford's Pawlick and taken straight down the ice and into an empty net for the final goal of the game.

"We just came off a big win," said Coach Nixon. "I thought we could win this game, but we didn't play our hardest tonight."

The Hilltoppers will take on Sparta this Friday at 4:10 p.m. at the Union Ice Rink.