1/7--The Big Three

Last season, the Shore 'C' division was dominated completely, and solely, by the Howell Rebels, who finished an impressive 19-4-1. In 2009-2010, things changed. The Rebels have still showed up, but they have been, not only challenged, but defeated within the division for the first time in the two-year history of the program. In this blog, we will take an in depth look at just how the top three teams have made the Shore 'C' an amazing division to watch, and have created rivalries that are hoped to be continued for a long time.
The Boys on top: Last season, the Howell Rebels brought a new passion to the game of hockey, especially for the Shore 'C' division. The students quickly supported the boys in blue and gray, and not before long, the Rebels were defeating teams left and right, and found themselves finishing with an astonishing record of 19-4-1, winning the Shore Conference Tournament, defeating the Wall Knights. Howell went on to win two games in the state playoffs before being ousted in the third round by the Brick Memorial Mustangs, 4-2. In the second year under head coach Bill Daley, Howell started off strong in a 1-0 win over the same Mustangs that ended their season just six months earlier, but struggled in intra-divisional play, as they tied Monsignor Donovan, Manalapan, and Marlboro all consecutively. The Rebels' lone loss came against rival Manalapan in a wild 6-5 game. This season, it hasn't just been captains Dave Ramos and Eddie Pyskaty who has lead the Rebels--but everyone else, also. Role players such as Mike Liero, Billy Acquaviva, Brandon Hodes, along with goalies Zack Peras and Kyle Conrad have paved the way for an exciting postseason, and deserve as much credit as anyone else. Howell now stands at 7-1-3 with 17 points, first in the division.
Coming on Strong: Last season, the Freehold Township Patriots struggled to a 10-9-2 record, and finished 99th in the state. in 2009-2010, the Patriots were determined to change all of that--and they did. Lead in large part by senior forward John Talamo and junior goalie Zach Roy, Freehold Township has made tremendous strides, as they stand at 7-2-1. With losses to Ocean and Howell, the Patriots have put themselves in a position to win the division, they simply need to beat those ever-hated Rebels from Howell, not an easy feat by any means. Regardless of where thy finish, Freehold Township, coached by Michael Celano, has distinguished a rivalry with Howell, a tradition in Freehold, and many have supported them because of it.
Making Ground: Last season, the Manalapan Braves finished at 9-5-3, ranked 76th in the state, but never made a serious run at any postseason play. Although they did create a rivalry with the first-place Rebels, their nine wins were not enough to make any ground on Howell. This season, things changed. The Braves, sparked by their youth, especially from freshman forward Travis Geraci, who scored a hat trick in their 6-5 defeat of Howell, made up some serious ground in the division, and fell just one victory short of having a chance to win the division. The Dave-Grippo coached Braves are sitting at 6-3-3, and in position to take part in a very competitive Shore Conference Tournament next month. With their positive attitude, exciting, fast paced style, and extraordinary talent with such a young team, Manalapan may not be able to do much this postseason, but they will be exciting to watch for the next couple of years.
Regardless of whether your a fan of one of these Shore 'C' division schools, or even a fan of one of the top private schools in the state, respect is something you must have for these schools, coaches, and fans, for the amount of impressive work they have put together in just two seasons.