NJ Jr. Titans U16 National vs. NJ Devils
Saturday Sept. 6, 2008 at WSA 11:45am
Welcome to the NJ Jr. Titans U16 home opener. The 2008-2009 season begins with the renewal of our in-state rivalry with the NJ Devils. Both teams are looking to jump start their season with an important win. In years past, the Jr. Titans opening home weekend was spent playing non-League teams as we would try to “ease” into the regular season. Those days are long gone – many teams like us and the Devils front-load their schedules in order to maximize the use of our respective High School hockey players. Hence, the intense schedule of two League games today (our U16s travel to Hackensack later today at 5:30pm to take on the Avalanche) and another one on the road tomorrow.
Both the Devils and the Jr. Titans are fresh off a 5-game pre-season tournament in Marlboro,MA over the Labor Day Weekend. We expect a spirited game this afternoon as both teams attempt to set the tone for our weekend home-and-home series. The Devils are well coached by Atlantic District veteran John DiNorcia and his experience staff of Tom Van Doren and Greg Wright. The Devils are led by perennial AYHL all-star Devon Duarte and former Jr. Titan David Mosier, not to mention outstanding players like James Trenkle, Kevin Brennan and Andrew Pascal. The Devils boast a solid goaltending tandem of Alex Durso and Peter Guerriera.
Our Jr. Titans U16s are excited to perform for you this afternoon. Today is a great opportunity for our boys to showcase their talent in front of all the Junior B GMs and coaches in the building for the Junior tournament. Coach Walker and Coach Berzolla have been impressed with the team’s work ethic and commitment to learning the details of our systems. The coaching staff has asked this year’s team to conform to a strict set of concepts that have been the cornerstone of the Jr. Titans Midget Program over the past 5 seasons. This U16 group is a talented collection of dedicated players who strive to play at the Junior level next season with an ultimate goal of contributing at the College hockey level.
The Jr. Titans U16s came home from Boston with a respectable 2-3 record. After an inauspicious start due to a 9-1 drubbing at the hands of the LI Gulls, and a hard fought 3-2 loss to the 495 Stars – the U16s rebounded with two strong wins: 6-0 vs. the West Seneca Wings and a convincing 4-1 win over the NH Monarchs. At 2-2 our tournament goal of playing a meaningful 5th game was met. We faced off last Sunday night against the NV River Rats and lost an intense 4-2 game to knock us out of the tournament. Despite leading 2-1 with 11 minutes to play, we couldn’t hang on against the more desperate River rats and we were ultimately done in by some questionable officiating and poor puck decisions.
The boys were back to school and back to the practice rink to make the necessary adjustments for todays game and this weekend’s packed schedule. Expect to see a motivated, gritty squad this afternoon.
THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT
Number Player Name Birthyear Height/Weight School
2 Steven Spinelli ‘92 5′10″ 150lbs SJV
3 Anthony Lobianco 92 5′11″ 150lbs Brick Memorial
7 Marc Raziano ‘92 6′0″ 185lbs West Windsor
11 David Ramos ‘92 6′1″ 175lbs Howell H.S.
14 Patrick Dwyer ‘93 5′6″ 150lbs Red Bank Catholic
15 Thomas Lindquist ‘92 5′9″ 150lbs Brick Memorial
17 Evan Hughes ‘92 6′1″ 175lbs Ridge H.S.
19 Robert Fisher ‘93 5′9″ 150lbs SJV
21 Michael Durelli ‘92 5′11″ 165lbs B. Eustace
22 Mark Powell ‘92 5′7″ 150lbs Red Bank Catholic
25 Rick VanBlarcom ’92 5′9″ 150lbs Allentown H.S.
27 Thomas Carlucci ‘92 5′9″ 150lbs CBA
29 Brandon Worrall ‘92 6′2″ 180lbs West Windsor
30 Peter Stamberger ‘92 6′1″ 185lbs Pt. Pleasant Boro
37 Anthony Carvagno’93 5′9″ 155lbs Toms River North
39 Alex Strauss ‘92 5′10″ 150lbs CBA
77 Vincent Stagliano ‘92 5′11″ 160lbs Wall H.S.
91 Nick Kamberogiannis ‘92 5′9″ 150lbs CBA
