Newark, NJ – Monday Night, March 4th will go down as the most important day in Bosco Hockey History. Playing in their third straight NJSIAA Non-Public Finals, the Ironmen knew that this would be their toughest test of the season. With everything on the line and past defeats hanging over the program, an all too familiar foe was waiting for them. Meeting for the fourth time this season and having gotten the best of the Ironmen in the last two state championship games, 13 time champion Delbarton surely would have something to say in this contest.
Tyler Sedlak’s Empty Net Goal Clinches Don Bosco’s First Ever State Title
But this night would belong to the 27-1 Ironmen. Don Bosco opened the scoring in the first period as Quinnipiac bound Senior Captain Liam McLinskey (30G, 45A) buried his first of two on the night. Junior Will Fortescue (3G, 16A) made a fantastic rush up the ice, hitting D man Damien Carfagna (6G, 31A) in the slot. Carfagna’s original shot was saved but Junior Robbie Greenleaf (4G,5A) swiped at the rebound, sending it to Sophomore Zach Hammond (13G, 7A) who slid it to McLinksey, giving the Ironmen a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
Coach Greg Toskos, appearing in his fifth state final, first as a player in 1994 and now his fourth as head coach, knew the Green Wave wouldn’t back down, “We knew coming out of the first period that they weren’t just gonna lay down and were going to come at us…they’re the defending champs for a reason.” As the teams flipped ends, it was Delbarton who knotted the game at one apiece, scoring on a 2 on 1 chance. “Credit them for coming right back and tying the game in the second, but this team has faced adversity in big games all season and we know if we stick to our game, our chances will come,” said Toskos.
The Ironmen didn’t have to wait too long to regain the lead. Nine seconds later, Liam McLinskey lit the lamp again. Junior Forward Hunter McGee (11G, 25A) won the center ice draw clean to Defenseman Damien Carfagna. Carfagna took two strides and found McLinskey streaking down the right side who unloaded a laser, low stick side to put the Ironmen back on top 2-1.
Again, Bosco knew the Green Wave would not go quietly with their season was on the line. But the stout Bosco defense led by Senior Goalie Max Schwarz (1.37 GA, 93.5%) and Captain TJ Schweighardt (17G, 32A), kept the Green Wave off the scoresheet, despite some tense moments in the final minutes.
Ironmen Take State Championship Trophy For A Victory Lap
With 1:50 to play, Delbarton took its timeout and opted for an extra skater, pulling their goalie. After a frantic several seconds, which saw the Ironmen laying out to block shots, pinning pucks up against the wall and hitting the post on the empty net from just inside their own blue line. Senior Captain, Tyler Sedlak (40G, 33A), Don Bosco’s seocnd all-time leading scorer, picked up a loose puck with just under 30 seconds to play at his own blue line, stick handled around a Delbarton defender and walked in all alone, burying his final goal as an Ironman and the celebration was on.
After 54 years of hockey at Don Bosco, the 2018-2019 Ironmen will live on in infamy as the greatest team to ever wear the maroon and white sweaters. A remarkable season, finishing on a 24 game win streak, capturing their 8th straight Bergen County Championship, second ever Gordon Cup and the sweetest of them all, the first ever NJSIAA State Championship.
Watch the highlights below, courtesy of our friends from Jersey Sports Zone.
West Orange, NJ – Thirteen days had passed since the Ironmen walked off the Codey Arena ice victorious, capturing their second Gordon Cup Championship. During that time, they had not surrendered a goal since the second period of the Gordon Cup Final, blanking both Bishop Eustace and Seton Hall Prep, but Gloucester Catholic had other ideas. The Rams opened the scoring early in the first period leaving the Ironmen in a familiar position on the Codey Arena ice that they faced 13 days prior.
But, just as they did then, Bosco battled back with four unanswered goals. Senior Captain and reigning Gordon Conference MVP, Tyler Sedlak (39G, 33A) buried his team leading 39th goal to jump start the Bosco offense. An offense that has consistently worn down opponents. Sophomore Forward Zach Hammond (13G, 6A) broke the tie in the second period, converting on the power play for his 13th of the season. Senior Captain Liam McLinskey (28G, 45A) and Junior Forward Hunter McGee (11G, 24A) each added goals, while Senior Goalie Max Schwarz made 12 saves to finish off Gloucester Catholic.
Check out the highlights, courtesy of our friends at Jersey Sports Zone.
Ramsey, NJ – Don Bosco Hockey would like to congratulate Senior Defenseman and Captain TJ Schweighardt for being named the NorthJersey.com Male Athlete Of The Week. During the Gordon Conference Championship Playoffs, TJ led the Ironmen to their second Gordon Cup Championship, notching hat tricks in the Semi-Final game, an 11-1 defeat of Gloucester Catholic, and in the Finals, a 5-3 victory over Delbarton last Friday. On the season, TJ leads all defensemen with 16 goals and 24 assists in 24 games played and is third overall on the team in scoring.
Senior Captains (l-r) Tyler Sedlak, TJ Schweighardt & Liam McLinskey Accepting The 2019 Gordon Cup
West Orange, NJ – Don Bosco and Delbarton met for the third time this season, but in this edition, the stakes were elevated. Playing in their second consecutive Gordon Cup Final against Delbarton and fourth overall, Bosco staged an epic two goal comeback.
After a scoreless first period that saw the Ironmen outshoot the Green Wave 10-5, Delbarton jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. But Senior Captain TJ Schweighardt (16G, 24A) answered back four minutes later, taking a pass from Junior Hunter McGee (9G, 22A) and firing a laser from the right point to knot the game at one apiece.
However, Delbarton would not let them phase them, scoring two more goals to take a 3-1 lead halfway thru the second period. Until Schweighardt came thru again, notching his second of the game finishing a brilliant 2 on 1 feed from Liam McLinskey (26G, 40A) and Tyler Sedlak (35G, 27A) to close the gap 3-2.
Captain TJ Schweighardt delivers the Gordon Cup to his teammates
In the final period, the potent Ironmen offense came alive and Don Bosco kept rolling, outshooting the Green Wave 14-4 in the final frame. Sophomore Connor Sedlak (9G, 10A) tied the game at three off a rebound from Sophomore Defenseman Jake Geraci (2G, 18A). Less than a minute later, TJ Schweighardt gave the Ironmen the lead for good as he rifled a wrist shot from just inside the top of the circles to complete his second hat trick in as many games. Liam McLinskey added an empty netter and the celebration was on!
Check out the highlights of the game, courtesy of Jersey Sports Zone.
Ramsey, NJ – Don Bosco Hockey is proud to commemorate the achievements of Senior Captains Liam McLinskey and Tyler Sedlak. Both players reached milestones that few have ever achieved.
McLinskey accepts plaque commemorating his 100th point
In January, Liam scored is 100th career point in a 7-2 victory over Pope John, becoming the 8th Ironmen to achieve that distinction.
Sedlack accepts plaque commemorating his 200th point
A few days later, Tyler notched his 200th point against St Peters Prep in a 10-2 win to close out Gordon Conference play. Tyler became only the second player in Don Bosco history to eclipse the 200 point total, joining current Head Coach Greg Toskos.
Tyler, Liam and the rest of the Ironmen return to action on Monday night as they host St Peters Prep in the opening round of the Gordon Cup Tournament, 8:30 pm at Ice Vault.
