The 3rd round of the NJSIAA Public A State Hockey Championships took place Saturday at the Ice Vault in Wayne. Pitted were the 4th seeded and #19 Star Ledger ranked Westfield Blue Devils and the #5 seed Ridge Red Devils.
These teams faced each other January 4th at Ridge's home ice. That night, Westfield would win 3-0. Saturday, the game held greater significance: win and you play in the semi-finals next week; lose and your season is over.
The game started with no team taking the advantage. Play was solid on both ends with each team having their opportunities. Notably, the game was extraordinarily free of penalties. Only a single penalty was called on a Westfield player when roughing was called on CJ Meyer of Westfield at the 3 minute mark of the 2nd period. Ridge had a single penalty called with 5 seconds remaining in the game when Kyle Leddy was called for slashing and holding.
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It became obvious the game was going to be decided by chance for one of the teams. At 7:22 of the 3rd period, Jon Macik and Colin Fitzhenry fed Henry O'Brien of Westfield in Ridge's end. Fitzhenry shot and the puck looked deflected as it sailed past Ridge goalie Alec Wells.
This put Ridge on the offensive and try as they might they were unable to beat Wedstfield goalie Morgan Bungerz and his defense.
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With 1:36 remaining in the game, Westfield's Nick Attanasio broke free at the blue line and fired home an unassisted goal to ice the game.
Ridge had 25 shots on goal and Westfield had 15 shots on goal.
Westfield will face No 1 seed and #5 Star Ledger ranked Randolph in the semi-finals March 8th at 8pm at the Codey Arena, West Orange.
