South Brunswick Ice Hockey Skates to 12-1-1

Thanks to contributions from everyone on the team, the South Brunswick High School ice hockey team is 12-1-1 and ready to start earning titles.

"We've really played well," South Brunswick Coach Michael Slansky said. "A 12-1-1 record is a great accomplishment for the guys."

Even more satisfying for the coach is the way his team has pulled together. This is not a team that relies on a couple players to get the job done.

In South Brunswick's 10-0 win against JFK Iselin, Dan Gorzynski had an assist. In doing so, he became the 17th different players to get on the scoring ledger in just the past six games.

"We try to move the puck around and get everyone involved," Slansky said.

Sean Kacerosky leads the team with 33 points (20 goals and 13 assists).

Ketul Patel (12 goals and 16 assists), Jeff Wu (17 goals and 7 assists), Kyle Janoczkin (7 goals and 15 assists), Joe Muha (10 goals and 10 assists), Connor Vandemark (8 goals and 12 assists), Tommy Fisher (8 goals and 12 assists), Casey Walker (5 goals and 8 assists), Will Petrone (5 goals and 7 assists), Raj Kumar (7 goals and 4 assists), Will Kogan (5 goals and 6 assists) and Hunter Rule (3 goals and 7 assists) also have reached double digits in points.

Ryan Fisher (goal and 8 assists) is close to cracking double digits. Steve Sooby, Sam Petrone and Mark Fisher are the other players that have scored in the past two weeks.

"In the less competitive games (in addition to the 10-0 win over JFK, South Brunswick also has a 13-0 win over Colonia, a 12-2 win over Edison and a 6-0 win over Woodbridge in just the past two weeks), we try to get the underclassmen as much playing time as possible," Slansky said. "We have a lot of underclassmen that are decent hockey players. They might still be on the small size, but they can put the puck in the net."

And on the days when they are playing top-notch teams and can't score in double figures, it's nice to have Brian Leach in goal.

South Brunswick had 11 penalties in a 2-2 tie with Old Bridge on Jan. 25. Fortunately, Leach stepped up with 47 saves.

South Brunswick has another tough game on the schedule on Wednesday when it plays St. Joe's on Wednesday. This game should decide the regular season title.

On Feb. 21, 23 and 25, the Greater Middlesex Conference Champions will be held. The top two seeds -- which will include South Brunswick -- will get byes. South Brunswick is the defending champion.

South Brunswick will also be playing to keep building on its 12-1-1 mark and improve its standings in the states.

"One would hope we'd get a good seed in the state tournament, but you never know," Slansky said. "We were 15-3-1 last year and wound up with the 20th seed and didn't have a home playoff game."

South Brunswick is currently seeded 11th in the Puble A power rankings.

"I think that's pretty much the highest we've ever been," Slansky said.

In order to improve on those rankings, Slansky is hoping South Brunswick can add some games against top state teams outside of the area.

"It's been a good year," Slansky said. "I can tell you more about where we stand after Wednesday's game against St. Joe's."