Verona/Glen Ridge ice hockey team tops Nutley in overtime to reach McInnis Cup semifinals

GLEN RIDGE – Glen Ridge senior assistant captain Owen Gleeson scored the game-winner 4:25 into overtime to lift the fourth-seeded Verona/Glen Ridge high school varsity ice hockey team to a 2-1 come-from-behind win over fifth-seeded Nutley in the McInnis Cup playoff quarterfinals at Richard J. Codey Arena in West Orange on Feb. 13.

Glen Ridge junior Steven Topping, who had the assist on Gleeson’s goal, tied the score with 7:42 left in the second period on assists by Gleeson and Glen Ridge freshman Jake Kuhn.

Nutley took a 1-0 lead in the first period with 6:53 left on a goal by Ryan O’Mara, with assists by Mark Frade and Joe Fontanels.

Verona senior assistant captain/goalie Liam Blaney made 47 saves for Verona/Glen Ridge, which improved to a 12-8-4 record.

Verona/Glen Ridge will meet top-seeded Montclair in the semifinals on Feb. 18 at Clary Anderson Arena in Montclair.

Verona/Glen Ridge and Nutley split the two regular-season meetings. Nutley won the first meeting, 5-1, Dec. 12. Verona won the second meeting, 5-2, Jan. 10.

In their previous game, Verona/Glen Ridge lost to Westfield, 3-2, Feb. 10 at Warinanco Rink in Elizabeth. Gleeson and Verona sophomore Sean DeCandia each scored.

Topping had the tying goal in the 1-1 tie with Hopewell Valley on Feb. 8 at Mercer County Park. Glen Ridge senior captain Steven Wenzl and Glen Ridge sophomore Anton Martino had the assists.

McInnis Cup NJIHL American playoffs

Quarterfinals

at Richard J. Codey Arena, West Orange

Feb. 13

4-Verona/Glen Ridge defeated 5-Nutley, 2-1, overtime

3-Livingston defeated 6-Millburn, 4-3

Semifinals

Feb. 17

at Clary Anderson Arena, Montclair

3-Livingston vs. 2-Montclair Kimberley Academy, 7:45 p.m.

Feb. 18

4-Verona/Glen Ridge vs. 1-Montclair, 7 p.m.

Final

Feb. 20

at Codey Arena, 5:45 p.m.