Lack of depth a concern for solid Knights team
BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA
Staff Writer

Despite being undermanned a year ago, the Old Bridge High School ice hockey team managed to win the New Jersey Interscholastic Ice Hockey League's Southern White Division.

The Knights made a strong showing in the state tourney, but simply ran out of gas against the bigger, stronger teams as they got deeper into the tournament. Overall, the team finished at 16-6-3. Unfortunately, Old Bridge is again undermanned and will have to rely on discipline and defense to win games.

Thus far, coach Drew Campbell's team is 0-2, having lost games to Brick, 5-2, and Summit, 3-2, in overtime in the opening round of the Kron Tournament in Roselle Park. The Knights took leads into the third period of both games, but were unable to seal the deal.

Penalties proved costly against Brick. Old Bridge opened the third period down two players, and Brick scored two quick goals to take a 3-2 edge. Summit was able to tie the Knights in the third session and went on to victory in the overtime.

"We gave the Brick game away," Campbell said. "That was one we should have had. Losing to Summit wasn't any better."

With just 18 skaters in the program, Campbell has to juggle things nearly every night. He regularly moves four to five players up from the equally undermanned junior varsity contingent to round out his lineup.

Fortunately, the coach has several standouts. Travis O'Brien has been outstanding in net, after compiling a 9-3-2 mark a year ago. Kevin Connor and Sean Goldin, both seniors, provide an experienced defensive presence, along with Matt Arnold and sophomore Joe Guinta. All four log more than 25 minutes of ice time per game.

Up front, Campbell is counting on T.J. Daya, who already has a pair of goals, Mike Veneziale and sophomore Danny Cuccinello.

The team also lost one of its top defensemen, Ryan Mellis, who scored 13 goals and 33 assists, to graduation. In addition, Nick Geraci, is playing junior hockey for the New Jersey Rockets. He scored 45 goals for the Knights last season.

"We have to back-check and play an extremely tight defensive style and rely on Travis O'Brien to help keep us in games," Campbell said. "It's difficult to play with a short bench, and we don't want to get behind in games."

The coach said Old Bridge's numbers are down, in part, because some of the better hockey players choose to attend private schools where there may be more of an emphasis on the sport. And despite Old Bridge's recent successes, Campbell said it has not generated more interest.

"It's tough. Of the players we do have, 10 of them are seniors," he said.

Old Bridge is slated to take to the ice against Cranford in a Kron Tournament game this evening. The Knights will have their home opener against Red Bank Regional at the Old Bridge Arena on Dec. 14.