The Verona-Glen Ridge hockey team defeated West Essex High School 4-3 on Friday night in the first of two meetings they have this season.
West Essex was the first to put the puck in the back of the net; however, Glen Ridge junior Michael Lloyd answered with a goal of his own. Matt Lander, Glen Ridge senior and co-captain quickly scored another to put VGR up 2-1.
Kevin Cox of West Essex had two goals on the night, the first of which was scored with two minutes left in the first period to tie the game up going into the intermission. Verona freshman Jake Paganelli had VGR’s other two goals. Verona sophomore Dylan DeCandia had two assists in the game.
On Saturday, VGR played Livingston High School. They lost 5-4, which snapped VGR’s four game win streak.
DeCandia scored the first goal of the night, which led VGR to a 1-0 lead at the end of the first intermission. Livingston’s Adam Lanel scored early in the second period; however, Paganelli, Lloyd and Glen Ridge senior Max Linnett scored three goals shortly after.
At this point, Verona senior goaltender Matt Brehne was taken out of the game and replaced by the back-up goalie Glen Ridge junior Jake Biondi. Livingston had one more goal in the second and scored three goals in the third to win the game.
VGR now sits at 9-6-2. Their next game will be played Wednesday, January 25, against Nutley at Codey Arena at 4:15 p.m.
