By The TimesLedger
Erins Isle earned the right to carry the DG Hockey Cup by defeating Jesse Halpern Skate Shop in a three-game series. Both teams played well in a very competitive match-up. Jesse Halpern ended the regular season in first place, but the third place Erin’s Isle proved too strong in the championship series.
GAME 1: Jesse Halpern 7, Erin’s Isle 5. In the first game of the series Erin’s Isle had a 3-0 lead at the end of the first period with two goals by Evan Kundrat and one by Ricky Callahan. Jesse Halpern failed to quit and tied the game in the second period with two goals off the stick of Travis Lippert and goals from Eric Wong, Gregory Cassimos and Jason Becker. Jesse Halpern took a 5-3 lead into the third period. In the third period, the teams traded goals with Travis Lippert finding the back of the net two more time for Jesse Halpern and Evan Kundrat scoring a hat trick and Kevin Huynh contributing a goal for Erin’s Isle. Both goalies, Ralf Schrader for Jesse Halpern and Anthony Pagano for Erins Isle, played tough games protecting the net. Nico Natsiolasis, Demetri Saava, Meaghan Callahan and Sean Sellers played well for their respective teams.
GAME 2: Erins Isle 5, Jesse Halpern 2. In the second game, Erins Isle again took the lead with a goal by Evan Kundrat nine minutes into the first period. The remainder of the period was a defensive battle with both teams being held scoreless due to the terrific play of goalies Anthony Pagano and Ralf Schrader. Evan Kundrat buried the biscuit early in the second period only to see Jesse Halpern’s Albert Markopoulis and Jason Becker find the net to tie the score 2-2. Erin’s Isles’ Marc DiPaolo broke the tie on a goal with 55 seconds remaining in the second period. The third period belonged to Erin’s Isle with Evan Kundrat scoring his third and fourth goals to put the game away. Brothers Tam and Quon Ngo contributed good games for Jesse Halpern and Keith Sellers played well for Erin’s Isle.
GAME 3: Erin’s Isle 9 Jesse Halpern 2. The rubber match was a competitive game until the third period. Erin’s Isle took an early 2-0 lead with goals off the stick off the powerful Evan Kundrat, who netted six goals in the game. Jesse Halperns’ Travis Lippert and Velsacich assisted by Nico Natsiolris and Kenneth Tomlinson scored in the first period. Rick Callahan scored a hat trick for Erin’s Isle. The third period was dominated by Erin’s Isle, who scored five unanswered goals on their way to carrying the DG Cup in victory.
Many thanks and Congratulations to both teams and coaches Keith Lippert for Jesse Halpern and Rick Callahan for Erin’s Isle and their assistant coaches for a job well done.
DG wishes to extend its sincere thanks to all those who gave of their time and efforts this season as score keepers, grounds crew and others volunteers. Without the support of our DG families we would not be able to offer quality athletic programs for our children.
The happiest of holiday greetings to all our participants and their families as well as best wishes for a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.
