Highlanders With An Electric Season Opening Win

High School, Governor Livingston, Ice Hockey, St. Joe's' of Montvale

December 11, 2023

BERKLEY HEIGHTS, N.J. - On Friday night, the Governor Livingston Highlanders played their season and home opener against St. Joseph Montvale at Union Sports Arena. There were plenty of mixed feelings going into this game considering St. Joseph is entering this season with a new and strong unit, but also the fact that the team and organization is getting used to new leadership. The Highlanders were able to come away victorious as they pulled out a 3-2 victory.

This unit over at St. Joseph came out with a bang as soon as the first puck dropped, keeping a 2-0 lead against the Highlanders until almost halfway through the second period. Both goals for St. Joseph can be credited to returning junior forward, Logan Hughes, with both assists from fellow returning junior forward, Ryan Beanland. Hughes is expected to excel this season after capping off the 2022-2023 season with 12 goals, 10 assists and 22 points.

Although Beanland didn’t have as strong of a season as Hughes, clearly the duo work well together, and with Beanland already putting up 2 points for himself during the first game of the season, some high numbers can be predicted on his sheet this season.

Starting goalie for St. Joseph, returning sophomore Gabe Florio, had a decent game in net, allowing only three goals out of 24 shots on goal he faced. Last season, Florio was not a starter and allowed 11 goals in the 6 games he played. However, he was able to achieve a single shutout last season.

All three Highlander goals were scored late into the second period and the third period was kept scoreless by both teams. The Highlander goals were scored by Owen Cook (assisted by Jackson Benward and Alec Novotny), Daltry Ferrigno (assisted by Anthony Labisi) and Jacob Wachtel (unassisted). All returning players look solid on paper so expectations for this season are high.

Notably, sophomore Novotny, received his very first varsity assist and point.

Starting Highlanders goalie and returning junior Scott Capan, had himself an amazing game in net, allowing only two of 49 shots on goal. Capan was also starting goalie last season, starting 17 games, and allowing 33 goals in those games played. Once again, Capan is expected to project high numbers this season.

Both teams put up quite a fight and this is only the beginning. Make sure to stay tuned this upcoming week for more action over in Ramapo, where Ramapo faces St. Joseph Sunday night at 7pm, and then in Warinanco Park, Monday at 8:35pm where the Highlanders face Livingston.