12/30--The Recap

Final Score: Howell Rebels (5-1-3) 4, St. John Vianney (2-5) 1
St John Vianney Lancers Team Analysis: SJV was never really in this game. From the first shot of the game (Howell's Mike Liero's first goal) from the final whistle, the Lancers were outplayed in every fashion of the game. Although the teams GAA (previously 5.17) was reduced (now 5.0), the lack of offense made this game much easier then it should of been for the Rebels, who were playing with some fire.
Howell Rebels team Analysis: Coming off a shocking loss versus Manalapan the previous night, Howell had their work cut out for them, playing a high profile catholic school. The men in the blue and grey answered all the questions that were thrown out from experts who thought Howell's days of playing dominant hockey were over. Mike Liero, a linemant of Ramos, stole the show early, when he scored on the games first shot, less than twelve seconds in. He would go on to add two more for a hat trick, his first of the season, and Nick Peras would score on the lethal Howell powerplay, something that has become commonplace for the Rebels. In net, Kyle Conrad looked very sharp in his first varsity start, as he gave up just one goal, and was very collective, puncing on loose pucks and controlling rebounds. There's no reason for him to not start Saturday, when regular netminder Zack Peras is expected to miss another game with a concussion.
What's Next: On Saturday, January 2nd, the Rebels look to kick off the new year with a bang as they play host to the Freehold Boro Patriots. In the first meeting, Howell took control early in a game that never really seemed close, as Howell defeated the Colonials 8-2. I look for Conrad to start again, seeing there is no initial rush to get Peras back on the ice, nursing a concussion, and I beleive Conrad played well enough to earn himself the start against Freehold Boro.