Randolph beats Morristown 3-1 at the Rock for state hockey crown

Morristown High co-captain Jordan Klotz celebrates goal by Steve Windt, narrowing Randolph's lead to 2-1. But the Rams answered with another score to clinch their sixth state title, on Friday at the Prudential Center. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Morristown High co-captain Jordan Klotz celebrates goal by Steve Windt, narrowing Randolph's lead to 2-1. But the Rams answered with another score to clinch their sixth state title, on Friday at the Prudential Center. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
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Deep into the third period on Friday, Morristown High School looked like it might dig down for one more miraculous finish.

The Colonials trailed Randolph 2-0 and were on a power play in the the state Public A hockey championship game at the Prudential Center in Newark.

Steven Windt took a pass at the blue line and whipped the puck through a tangle of skates past Rams goalie Mike Pollio to narrow the score to 2-1 with about four minutes left.

Morristown High co-captain Jordan Klotz celebrates goal by Steve Windt, narrowing Randolph's lead to 2-1. But the Rams answered with another score to clinch their sixth state title, on Friday at the Prudential Center. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Morristown High co-captain Jordan Klotz celebrates goal by teammate Steve Windt, narrowing Randolph's lead to 2-1. But the Rams answered with another score to clinch their sixth state title, on Friday at the Prudential Center. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Morristown had won a pair of thrillers to reach its first state title game, edging Montgomery Township in overtime and battling from behind to ice Morris Knolls. A throng of exuberant MHS students cranked up the volume once more.

But their hopes for another spectacular ending were dashed just over a minute later when Nick Holowko rifled home his seventh goal of the tournament for the Rams, who skated off with the school’s sixth hockey title.

“Randolph’s a great team. They’re very well coached. They’ve got a bunch of great players. They were the better team tonight,” said Morristown co-captain Jordan Klotz, the hero of the prior two games. The senior anticipates playing prep school hockey for Canterbury next season.

The Rams came out flying. Freshman Matt Bruno–playing with a cast on his broken right wrist–poked in a rebound just 2:38 into the contest.

Devils legend Marty Brodeur and Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty at the Prudential Center moments before Morristown High School's first hockey championship game. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Devils legend Marty Brodeur and Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty at the Prudential Center moments before Morristown High School's first hockey championship game. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

In the second period, Randolph’s Andrew Tucker banked a shot off Morristown defenseman Luke Freeland. That was huge, said Randolph coach Rich McLaughlin.

“That second goal gave us a nice lead. This Morristown team never stops coming back,” said the Rams coach, who plans to return next season for his 20th year behind the bench.

While he could not rank his championships, he clearly enjoyed Number Six.

“This never gets old,” Rich said, attributing the program’s success to “a lot of good families, with time and effort and a lot of money. They work hard, and these kids work hard. They’ve played together since they were six years old.”

Morristown’s fourth-year coach, Bobby Jones, expressed pride in his 22-5 squad, which did not even qualify for last year’s state tournament.

“These guys put Morristown on the hockey map. Just getting here was an amazing thing,” he said, noting the Colonials’ tough playoff battles. “They gave it all the last two games, and gave whatever they had left” against Randolph.

With 11 seniors graduating, Randolph must rebuild in the fall. Morristown is losing only three seniors–although two of them are top-scoring co-captains Jordan Klotz and Zach Mourad.

Of course, regular patrons of the Rock–home of the New Jersey Devils and future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur–know that great teams start with great goalies.  And in that department, the Colonials appear to be in great shape. Shane Brown–who recorded 10 shutouts this season–is only a freshman.

Marty Brodeur was in the building Friday, and skating onto his ice was something Shane will never forget.

“I wish I could replay walking out of the tunnel that first time,” Shane said. “It was incredible.”

 MORE ABOUT MORRISTOWN HOCKEY

JUMPING FOR JOY: Randolph goalie Mike Pollio and his teammates at the final buzzer in state championship victory against Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
JUMPING FOR JOY: Randolph goalie Mike Pollio and his teammates at the final buzzer in state championship victory against Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Randolph High mobs goalie Mike Pollio after 3-1 state championship victory against Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Randolph High mobs goalie Mike Pollio after 3-1 state championship victory against Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

 

 

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