A stopped train, an arrest, busy security: Only the ice was calm at Morristown-Randolph hockey game

'THEY'RE THE BEST FANS IN THE STATE,' Jakob DeFares said of the MHS cheering section. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
'THEY'RE THE BEST FANS IN THE STATE,' Jakob DeFares said of the MHS cheering section. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
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Morristown players say great fans were vital to their state championship. School officials say a few students may have been a little too enthusiastic, however. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Morristown players say great fans were vital to their state championship. School officials say a few students may have been a little too enthusiastic, however. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

By Katelyn McCreedy and Kevin Coughlin

Morristown High School hockey fans may want to consider taking the bus next time they return to the Rock — if they’re allowed back.

The Colonials’ 2-0 state championship victory against arch-rival Randolph at the Prudential Center on Monday was a tame affair, compared to the ride to Newark on a train crammed with students from both schools, and some rowdy Morristown fans inside the arena, according to students, and details that emerged on Wednesday.

As Morristown Green reported from the game, police stopped a train, Midtown Direct number 6668, in Maplewood.

Police from NJ Transit, Maplewood and South Orange responded at 7:28 pm to transit workers’ complaints about a large, disorderly group of Newark-bound teens “throwing bottles, using excessive foul language and engaging in an exchange of words with individuals from rival schools,” Maplewood Police Capt. Dawn Williams said Wednesday in a statement.

One Morristown male, whose identity was not disclosed, was arrested for “improper conduct,” Williams said.

Order was restored and the train resumed, with NJ Transit police on board, reaching its final destination at New York’s Penn Station 40 minutes late, said NJ Transit spokeswoman Jennifer Nelson.

En route, the train had to make another extra stop, Nelson said, to allow officers to get off.

“We regret the inconvenience to our customers on board,” said Nancy Snyder of NJ Transit. “But we also have to ensure the safety and security of our customers.”

“I don’t know how to put this experience in words,” said Morristown High junior Sarah Godfrey, who was on the train, “but it was definitely insane.”

Morristown High School Principal Mark Manning said he has received no complaints. Most students handled themselves well; any problems only involved “behavior of a couple of kids,” he said.

The school had arranged for four buses to the game, but canceled when only a handful of students signed up for them, Manning said.

‘NOISY AND RAUCOUS’

The longstanding sports rivalry between Randolph and Morristown had ratcheted up a notch when the Colonials eliminated the Rams from the state basketball tournament a few nights earlier.

Fans of both schools — Randolph in blue and white, Morristown in USA colors–wedged onto the train, many standing in aisles and doubling up on seats. Students sang and chanted at each other, according to people on board.

“It was noisy and raucous…Kids were yelling loudly: ‘Who’s gonna win? Morristown!'” said passenger Mickey Carroll, a veteran newsman now affiliated with the Quinnipiac Poll.

'THEY'RE THE BEST FANS IN THE STATE,' Jakob DeFares said of the MHS cheering section. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
The MHS cheering section at the Rock. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Carroll said he did not observe any bad behavior, although the train “just plain stopped for half an hour” because of the commotion.

The precise number of students on board is hard to calculate; more than 250 MHS students told a Facebook group they planned to attend the game.

The delayed train rolled into Newark’s Broad Street station just moments before the game’s scheduled 8:30 pm start. Students described a mad dash to the Rock.

Inside the arena, home of the NHL New Jersey Devils, Morristown students packed a corner section, diagonally opposite from Randolph kids. Morristown students said some of their peers were removed for inebriation and disorderly conduct by security personnel from Morristown High and the Prudential Center.

‘MOST HANDLED THEMSELVES VERY WELL’

Asked if any students have been suspended, Manning said he only discusses disciplinary matters with students’ parents.

The Morristown principal said he has received no complaints from NJ Transit, police, or the Prudential Center, and suggested any problems only involved “behavior of a couple of kids.

“With very few exceptions, our students handled themselves very well,” said Manning, who did not attend the hockey game. On Monday he cheered for the high school’s basketball team, which lost a close playoff match in Hackensack.

Security from Morristown High School and the Morristown police were on hand for the hockey game, Manning noted.

Morristown police did not immediately have a comment.  Chris Wallace, a spokesman for the Prudential Center, said the arena does not comment about security matters. Officials from the Randolph School District did not return calls seeking comment.

Jack DeBois, assistant director of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Association, said he was unaware of any incidents.

“I was there the whole time,” said DeBois. “This is the first I’m hearing of any issues.”

He added it’s “incumbent for Morristown to supervise their students at these games. Whatever disciplinary decisions they choose to make is up to them.”

‘BEST FANS IN THE STATE’

Morristown’s players, who won their second state title in three years, expressed gratitude for students’ enthusiastic support.

Senior Jake DeFares, who scored the winning goal, called them “the best fans in the state.”

Nicholas Tarzanin, a junior on the varsity, said the team expects to reach the finals at the Prudential Center every year. The Colonials were disappointed when they didn’t make it last season.

“It was definitely great going back to the Rock. We kind of took it for granted making it three years in a row…but now it motivates us, ” Tarzanin said.

Justin Leifer, a senior, said “playing Morristown hockey has been one of the greatest experiences I will ever get.”

It’s a hockey program that could be destined for many future finals at the Rock.  If that happens, Manning may revisit transportation arrangements for students.

“It certainly is something I’m taking under consideration, yes,” the principal said.

MORE ABOUT THE MHS HOCKEY CHAMPS

 Katie McCreedy, is Junior Editor-in-Chief of the Morristown High School Broadcaster.

 

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