Hunterdon Central ice hockey advances to Skyland Cup final

BRIDGEWATER - For the Hunterdon Central High School ice hockey team, its performance on Thursday evening was as close to perfect as it gets.

Third-seeded Hunterdon Central (11-8-5) controlled both ends of the ice and went on to a 4-1 victory over seventh-seeded Pingry (5-9-7) in the semifinals of the Skyland Cup at Bridgewater Sports Arena. The Red Devils will face the winner of Ridge and Watchung Hills in the final on Saturday.

Senior forward Dan Romeo paced the Red Devils with two goals, while Will Little and Sam Ahern each added one goal.

“It’s hard to pinpoint anything we did wrong today,” Hunterdon Central coach Paul Cavanaugh said. “We came in with a game plan, and we executed it from start to finish better than we have at any point this season.”

Pingry is a team that plays very well with a lead or tie. Wanting to not concede the first goal, the Red Devils were aggressive to start the game and struck first when Ahern found Romeo in front of the net for a goal with 6:28 left.

“The first goal of the game was going to be huge because they play very well when they score first because it plays right into their strength,” Cavanaugh said. “We put them on the ropes right away and took them out of their comfort zone.”

About four minutes into the second period, Pingry had an opportunity to equalize while on the power play, but the Red Devils not only prevented a goal, but scored one of their own when Little found a hole in the defense.

“Once my teammate Sam Trifun got the puck in the middle of the ice, I found a lane and took off,” Little said. “I have to give it to Sam Trifun, he really sent me on that one.”

Being able to capitalize on their own mistake while preventing Pingry from taking advantage while playing with a man up, the Little goal was a game-changer for the Red Devils.

“I think that’s the turning point in the game,” Cavanaugh said. “That kept the momentum on our side.”

Pingry was able to get on the board when Greg Naratil scored 30 seconds into the third period. The Red Devils responded with an insurance goal, courtesy of Romeo about six minutes later. Ahern capped off the game with his goal with less than two minutes left.

“Every team is going to have its break down, stuff happens during games,” Romeo said. “You can’t get down from one goal, you have to go back out and take the momentum right back from them, put them on the ropes again.”

Staff Writer Daniel LoGiudice: dlogiudice@gannettnj.com