Boys Ice Hockey Punches Ticket to State Tournament

The Summit boys hockey team clinched a spot in the NJSIAA State Tournament with a 3-0 victory against Governor Livingston on Friday afternoon at the Union Sports Arena.

Senior captain Bobby Lawrence scored two goals for the Hilltoppers (9-6-3), and sophomore Eric Stabler assisted on both. Lawrence has four goals in two games against Governor Livingston this season. The Highlanders (11-6-2) have now lost five of their last seven games, including both meetings with Summit.

"We were ready to play," head coach Keith Nixon said. "I think we're starting to gel, and the players have a greater sense of purpose."

Defensively, junior goalie Jackson Stuckey recorded Summit's fourth shutout this season. Stuckey has now made three starts in a row, after splitting time in net with senior Brandon Jackson earlier in the year.

"He was in position all night and made great saves," Nixon said. "It could have been a shootout without solid goaltending."

Summit got off to a quick start as Lawrence scored with 13:55 remaining in the first. After Governor Livingston missed a shot, the Hilltoppers took control of the puck and skated to the opposite end of the rink. Lawrence got the pass from Stabler and attacked the net, scoring from point blank range to the right of goalie Phil Burrows.

That play set the tone in Summit's favor for the whole game.

"Getting the early goal was huge," Nixon said. "We had the crowd, momentum, and emotion on our side. We got good shots off all night, and to be honest could have scored three or four more goals."

Lawrence scored on a power play later in the first at 2:37 as the Highlanders tried to kill a cross checking penalty. That penalty was on the tail end of consecutive 5-on-3 advantages for Summit. Governor Livingston committed a total of 10 penalties.

Sophomore Mike Nyitray almost made it 3-0 before the period ended, but Burrows made a good save on a hard shot. Nevertheless, at the end of the first the Hilltoppers maintained a healthy two goal lead.

 Governor Livingston held Summit scoreless in the second period. Nixon's squad spent most of its time focused on denying the Highlanders good shot opportunities. To do that, the Hilltoppers used two forwards to attack the offensive zone, while keeping the third in a position where he could get back on defense quicker if necessary.

"They started to stretch the ice, and we kept the third guy up higher so we could equally number them if they got out," Nixon said. "We just didn't want to give up a cheap one and let them in the game."

In the third period, senior Trevor Silverstein scored a power play goal on a backhanded shot to give Summit the 3-0 lead. Junior Michael Tsiang and Nyitray got the assists. Tsiang played an excellent final frame, intercepting passes and getting out ahead of the defense on breakaways.

Tsiang has provided a spark for the Hilltoppers over the past few games, turning defense into offense.

"Michael had a good week," Nixon said. "It doesn't show up on the score sheet, but he is putting himself in position to utilize his speed. He can beat any defender to the puck and he uses that speed to disrupt passes."
   
Summit's next game is against A.L. Johnson on Feb. 9 at Warinanco Park at 6 p.m. Now that the Hilltoppers achieved their goal of earning a trip to the state tournament, they hope to win the Union County Ice Hockey League (UCIHL).

"We know if we win the next two games we win the league title," Nixon said. "The team is aware of that, and we are focused on it."