WEST ORANGE, NJ – In a crucial Gordon Conference – National Division matchup, the Seton Hall Prep varsity ice hockey team defeated Gloucester Catholic, 4-2, Saturday night, Jan. 20, at Codey Arena to raise its record to 9-5-3.
Gloucester Catholic opened the scoring and led 1-0 after the first period. In the second period, John Farrell tied the score at 1-1 off a rebound with 11:58 left on assists by Daniel Samtani and Anthony Martine. SHP took a 2-1 lead with 8:54 left on a Stephen Buck rising wrist shot from between the circles. Just :10 later off of a scramble in front, Buck scored again on an assist from Thomas Colucci to increase the SHP lead to 3-1 after two periods. In the third period with 2:50 left, GC scored to make it 3-2. With :17 left, Buck added his third goal of the game on an empty-netter on assists by Colucci and John O;Hern. This point was Buck’s 100th of his great SHP career. After the game, Buck said, “It all started when I made the varsity as a freshman. I knew that my job was to score goals and set up my teammates. I think that I have accomplished that thus far in my career. Now there is no room for mistakes as we are still playing for the division title, Gordon Cup and State Tournaments.”
The other game scheduled at Pope John XXIII (Sparta) for last week was snowed out and will be made up on Jan. 25 at 4 p.m. at Skylands Ice World in Stockholm