Mr. Ice Hockey posted on March 17, 2019 14:44
Conor Riley capped off a brilliant career at Eastern scoring a hat trick on the biggest stage so far as Eastern defeated Delaware Military Academy 7-2 in the title game for the NJ/DE Flyers Cup with the game played at the Wells Fargo Center on Sunday morning. Freshman goalie Max Brzozowski was strong in nets for the Vikings as they built a 4-0 lead. Jacob Findley opened the scoring as his shot from behind the net deflected off the goalies skate and into the net for a 1-0.
Riley would score a power play goal and later add a short-handed goal as the Vikings built their lead to 3-0. Gunner Rogers and Sean Pomerantz, also freshman would tally goals for the Vikings. After a DMA goal to make it 5-1, Riley completed his hat trick and a 6-1 lead after two periods. The Vikings got drawn into taking some penalties and DMA would capitalize on a two man advantage to make it 6-2. Tournament MVP Kris Zapata would rip a shot home midway through the period to squash any hopes of a rally and Brzozowski shut them down the rest of the way.
Notes: Congratulations to Coach Zuber, and Coach Zuckerman on their first NJ/DE Flyers Cup win. This team graduates just five seniors and barring injury should be a force next season. Named to the All-Tournament team from the SJHSHL were Jeremy Ambrose from Cherokee, Anthony Tropea, Riley and Zapata along with Brzozowksi from Eastern. Zapat was selected MVP and Riley was honored as the leading scorer.
Written by Mike Costantino