Fire on the ice

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Nicholas Gallo, who leads the team with 14 goals, controls the puck and changes direction to get past an opponent.

BY ANALISE SAINVIL
          The Ice Hockey team got off to an incredible 8-4-2 start, and they currently stand in second place at 5-2 in the GMC, behind only St. Joseph.

          In the beginning of the season, the team went undefeated in the first six games. “The team got off to such a great start because of our excitement for this season and our very high hopes of achieving success,” said Nicholas Gallo, whom NJ.com nominated as a Top Junior in New Jersey with teammate Dylan Vislocky. “We want to go very far this season, and we came out of the gates ready to go.”

          The team faced a tough schedule to start the season, including opening against a ranked opponent. “It was the first game of the season, with SJV entering with a preseason state rank at 14th,” said Logan Schroeder. “It was a huge win and motivation booster to start the season with.”

Seniors Dean Hoffman and Logan Schroeder positions themselves to defend the goals and prepare for a face off to commence.

          The teams entered the third period tied, and the Knights earned the win on a power play goal. “The key to winning was how determined we were,” said Vislocky. “I don’t think anyone in the state had us winning the game, but we knew the odds and knew we had a chance and got it done.”

          Nicholas Gallo scored both goals for the Knights. “We managed to beat them 2-1 in an electric game, starting off the season with a bang and proving to the rest of the state that Old Bridge is a force to be reckoned with this year,” said Gallo, who leads the team in both goals(14) and assists(16).

Juniors Chase Lynch and Dylan Vislocky track the movement of the puck and wait for a pass from a teammate.

          “Our biggest challenge is our defensive play, especially in our zone,” said Gallo. “We often get confused in our own end when we play against very fast and skilled teams who move the puck well, so sometimes it is tough to defend them. But our goalie Logan Schroeder bails us out a lot, which definitely helps.” Schroeder has a save rate of .941, protecting the goal at an elite level and helping to carry the team to victory.

          The team scored double-digit goals in three games this season while outscoring opponents 63-34 through 14 games. “We’ve developed some good chemistry over the last couple years playing as a team, and we had a few great captain’s practices led by Dean Hoffman and Kenny Doctors that really got the ball rolling,” said Griffin DeGirarde. “I think everything just kind of clicked this year, letting us put together some quality physical hockey.”

Pasquale Fattorusso changes direction to circle back toawards the puck.

          After their strong start to the season, the team has reason to expect great things down the stretch. “I feel that we are going to continue to improve as a team,” said Gallo. “It has led to great success for us as a program, taking strides towards conference and state championships, providing great opportunities for us.”

          The team will next face JP Stevens tomorrow night on the road before returning home for a big match-up against a tough Colonia team on January 28 at 3:45pm at the Municipal Complex.

  • Nicholas Gallo receives possession of the puck to drive it up the ice.
  • Senior Kenneth Doctors, who has 11 goals and 14 assists, faces off against a St. Josephs opponent.
  • Defenseman Dean Hoffman, who has seven assists and three goals, controls the puck on the open ice.

Posted on 1/23/25

Photos by Safija Shatku, Olivia Van Deursen, and Dayami Viloria