February 19 was one of the most important games of the season for two local high school hockey teams. Two Co- Op teams: West Essex, who combined with James Caldwell went up against the teams comprised of players from Ramsey and Indian Hills. Both these teams have been neck and neck all season, ranked just three rows apart from each other in the division. West Essex/JCHS entered the game with a record of 10-11-1 and Ramsey at 10-12-1.
It was the first state playoff game of the season. The teams showed throughout the whole game that they were both excited for the opportunity to play in the state tournament.
In net for West Essex was junior Evan Zieminski who entered with 628 saves and a 902% save percentage this season. For Ramsey, it was senior Lukas Cohen with 583 saves and has a 923% save percentage. The first period was rather uneventful until West Essex received a penalty for hooking at 9:11. There was little to no action all period.
Something clicked and in the 2nd period, leading goal scorer from West Essex, Luca Infusino took the puck into the other side of the rink and scored. Infusino was three points away from 100 points in his high school career. He just recently hit 50 goals. Infusino has been playing since his freshman year and has shown leadership and earned Captain this year as a senior.
The scoring continued as junior Connor Maniscalco ripped one to the right of the net at 8:11 left in the period to have a two goal lead. This goal was assisted by Infusino and Pat Devaney. West Essex held a two goal advantage at the end of the second period.
Entering the 3rd period, Ramsey was not playing as strong as West Essex which gave the Knights a chance to win this game and take themselves to the next round. The Knights increased their lead to 3-0 on a goal by Devaney halfway through the third period.
Desperate to stay in the game, the Rams finally got on the scoreboard with 9:34 left in the third period, as Andrew Mcdade put the puck in the net. Just 30 seconds later, Ramsey scored again, cutting the West Essex lead to 3-2. That’s where the score stood until the final buzzer.
The two assists by Infusino gave him 100 points in his high school career. After the game, the Knights senior captain spoke about what it means to him to lead this squad.
“I love having that, trying to mentor the guys to get them to grow up as people and kinda just direct them in the direction I think they need to be directed,“ Infusino said. He currently hasn’t committed to a school but has plans to eventually play D3 Ice Hockey.
West Essex will face Kinnelon in the Public Co-Op North Semifinals on Thursday night.
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