1/15--The Turnaround

It very well may have taken a future professional hockey player--and arguably one of the best players in the state--to slide across the blue line and block a potential game-tying slapshot from the point to defeat Toms River South, but surely, it was done. Along with the block, Dave Ramos scored the go-ahead goal with four minutes left to give the Rebels a lead they would not relinquish.
Senior forward Billy Acquaviva sparked a four-goal third period, when he drew Howell within one on a shorthanded goal. Eddie Pyskaty would add another goal while standing tall on defense the entire night.
Still, this is a Howell team that has struggled in third periods.
December 5th, 2009: Howell vs Monsignor Donovan. With a two goal lead heading into the intermission, the Griffins storm back in the third period and score two, as the teams end up tied at 3.
December 8th, 2009: Howell vs Marlboro. The Mustangs and Rebels trade goals all night, and even Pyakty's hat trick and four point clinic wouldn't be enough, as Marlboro would come back to tie it with 15.3 seconds remaining in regulation.
December 29th, 2009: Howell vs Manalapan. Leading all game, Howell would fall apart in the third period, giving up three unanswered goals to the Braves, who would take the game 6-5, handing the Rebels their first division loss in school history.
January 9th, 2010: Being tied heading into the intermission, a beautiful breakaway goal from Ramos wouldn't be enough, as Freehold Township answered less than a minute later, and the teams ended in a tie at 3.
But on this night, Ramos wasn't having any of that. He may never say it, but in every stride he took, you could tell he wasn't leaving Toms River without a win.
Still, there was something different about this Howell Rebels team than what had been seen all season long.
Whether it be in Ramos modest fist-pump after scoring the go-ahead goal, or when Pyskaty literally threw a kid by lifting his stick, there was a message to be sent to not only the shore conference, but to themselves: This is Howell Hockey.
For the first time since the Shore Conference Championship game last year (Howell defeated Wall 9-7), the Rebels were confident--not cocky, they had a swagger where they realized they deserved to be labeled as the best.
But most importantly, they left the ice with a win, something they'll look to repeat next time they are on that ice, for the 2010 Dowd Cup.