12/26--The Preview

Marlboro Mustangs (3-3-1) at Howell Rebels (3-0-3)
Previous Meeting: In the first meeting this season, the Rebels and Mustangs took part in an exciting, fast paced, back and forth game that ended in a 6-6 tie, with Marlboro scoring the game-tying goal with just 15.3 seconds left. That was also the game where Howell's junior defensemen Eddie Pyskaty took off, compiling four points, and hat trick, and a game where he had three of those four points in the first period alone. Still, the resilliency from the Mustangs was very impressive, as they continuously clawed their way into the game, and ended up with that late game-tying goal.
Marlboro Mustangs X-Factor: 'Team Defense'. In the first meeting, the Mustangs defense did a tremendous job shutting down the top playmaker for Howell, senior captain Dave Ramos. However, they forgot about Pyskaty, who torched Marlboro for the four points afore mentioned. The Mustangs' defense will have to be sharp again, and also account for Pyskaty if they want to have a fighting chance and prove the first-game tie was not a fluke, and they are indeed talented enough to compete with the high-flying Rebels.
Howell Rebels X-Factor: 'Offensive play of Dave Ramos'. In the first meeting, Ramos was shut down by this fiesty Marlboro defense. However, the 100-point-club-member is due for a breakout game, and is tired of seeing double and triple teams. However, the Mustangs will look to take care of Pyskaty, leaving an opening for Ramos to have that breakout game he has been waiting for.
Outcome: Howell defeats Marlboro 7-3 (Yes, I did predict the score again). As the season progresses on, both teams are starting to find their identity, and for Howell, the defense, headed by Pyskaty and Morelli, is shaping out to be much better than last year's--a bad sign for the Mustangs. I look for Ramos and Pyskaty to lead an offensive show for the estimated 300 Howell fans in attendance, and in the end, are too talented for a Marlboro team who is finally starting to come together.