Jonathan Yardley, webmaster
Shore Conference | Holiday Tournaments
This is my first attempt at a ranking for the bottom half of New Jersey ice hockey. To make it organized, I have chosen to rank the White and Blue Divisions of the NJIHL, the Haas and Charette Divisions of the MCSSIHL, and the bottom six teams of the CVC. Along with Red Bank and Point Pleasant Boro, this works out to 57 teams, just over half of all teams.
It is hard to put together, because there is even less interregional play than usual, but I’ve done my best. All comments with some founding in team’s game results are welcome to jyardley@rice.edu.
Top 20 (records as
available through 12/28/02)
1 — Ridge (8-0, 5-0 Central White) (#18 in regular poll)
They can play with the big boys, with three wins against Red teams.
2 — South Brunswick (8-0, 6-0 Southern White)
The Vikings beat Princeton 5-1 to claim their own tournament title.
3 — Ramapo (8-0-2, 4-0-2 Northern White)
Ties with Northern Highlands and West Milford hurt their rank.
4 — West Windsor-Plainsboro South (3-2-2, 2-2-2 CVC Colonial)
The Pirates tied WWPN and had a big win over Clifton.
5 — Princeton (4-4-1, 2-3-1 CVC Valley)
The Little Tigers beat Cranford and tied WWPS.
6 — Middletown North (6-1-1, 6-1 Southern White)
The Lions’ only loss is to South Brunswick, and North tied RBC 3-3.
7 — Cranford (4-2-2, 2-0-1 Central White)
The Cougars lack depth, but had two big wins in the Cron tourney.
8 — Johnson Regional (2-1-1, 2-0-1 Central White)
Crusaders’ claim to fame is 4-4 tie with local rival Cranford.
9 — Fair Lawn (3-1, 3-1 Northern White)
Only loss a 6-4 setback to division rival Ramapo.
10 — Rumson/Fair Haven (6-3-1, 3-1-1 Southern White)
Without half its team in the South Brunswick tourney.
11 — Pascack Valley (5-2-1, 3-0 Northern Blue)
Also lost 6-4 to Ramapo; other loss was to PC, which PkV also tied.
12 — Montville (7-0-1, 5-0-1 MCSSIHL Haas)
Still unbeaten, still just one prolific offensive line.
13 — Kinnelon (5-1-2, 2-0-2 MCSSIHL Haas)
Impressive third-place finish at the Ice House Tournament.
14 — Toms River South (4-3-1, 1-3-1 Southern White)
Bishop Eustace victory deserves some respect, but they’re still in fifth.
15 — Nutley (4-2-1, 1-2-1 Central White)
Good win over Old Tappan, but losses to Ridge and Johnson
16 — Old Tappan (5-4, 3-2 Northern White)
Great 10-0 win over Mahwah, need to be more consistent.
17 — Morristown (2-2-1, 2-2-1 MCSSIHL Haas)
Colonials will get a boost with eligibility of Beard transfer Chris Lefever.
18 — Mahwah (6-2, 5-0 Northern Blue)
T’birds are on a collision course with Pascack for the division title.
19 — Ridgewood (4-4, 3-2 Northern White)
Maroons lost one-goal games to Old Tappan and Kinnelon.
20 — West Milford (4-3-1, 0-3-1 Northern White)
Struggling against top division teams.