On Saturday night the Verona-Glen Ridge Hockey team won its first game of the season, against West Orange. The final of the game was 7-5.
Verona junior Bobby Maguire set VGR off on the right foot with the game’s first goal. There was some controversy to this goal because the puck hit off Maguire’s body and into the net. Since there was no motion indicating that he hit or kicked it purposely into the net, the goal stood, and VGR led 1-0 at the first intermission.
Matt Lander, a Glen Ridge senior and co-captain, scored VGR’s second goal about three and a half minutes into the game. This would be the first of Lander’s four goals on the night.
West Orange’s Frankie Bakirtris answered back shortly after Lander’s first goal, and from this point on it was a back and forth game. Alec Hill and Jonathan Miller of West Orange had two goals apiece in this game.
Because VGR was unable to stay out of the penalty box, three of West Orange’s goals were power play goals. Verona senior and co-captain Chris Lapone had VGR’s only power play goal.
Verona sophomore Dylan DeCandia had two assists in the game and Verona freshman Jake Paganelli had three. Glen Ridge senior Max Linnett had a goal and an assist in the game. While the offense was busy producing goals and shots, goaltender Matt Brehne, a Verona senior, stopped 23 of 28 of West Orange’s shots.
VGR’s next game will be at 6:30 p.m. today against Nutley at Codey Arena.
