Led by a strong core of upper classmen, Don Bosco Hockey has opened the 2024-25 campaign with five straight victories, including two wins over Massachusetts power houses BC High (3-1) and Pope Francis (4-1) to repeat as Barky Cup champions. Bosco has also notched victories over St. Joseph Regional (6-1), Seton Hall Prep (8-0) and defending State Champions St. Augustine (5-2).
Senior Goaltender and Captain John Gazzola has been fantastic in back stopping the Ironmen in the early season. Posting a 95.9% save percentage and yielding a 1.00 GAA. He’s tallied one shutout (SHP) and recorded all 5 wins, while also adding two assists.
In front of Gazzola, the defense has been rock solid, led by two Senior Captains Aidan Morik (0g, 5a) and Jack Fortescue (0g, 2a) who continue to keep opponents off the scoresheet. Senior Michael Halvorsen along with Juniors Jack Ozder (0g, 1a) and Nick Zayas have played big roles as well, adding size and strength to one of the most talented back ends in the Gordon Conference.
Up front, Seniors Rian Lahar (3g, 6a) and Erik Wrynn (6g, 3a) are tied for the team lead in scoring with two more Seniors, Captain Matthew Shpungin (0g, 7a) and Jack Kennedy (5g, 1a) also making significant contributions. Freshman Jack Foye (6g, 1a) and Preston Ferro (0g, 7a) along with Sophomore Peyton Murphy (2g, 2a) continue to provide a spark when called upon.
The Ironmen will be busy before the Christmas break, with three straight league games against Princeton Day, bergen catholic and CBA to round out 2024.
Check out some highlights from our victory over St. Augustine Prep, courtesy of Jersey Sports Zone.
After a stellar regular season, which saw the Ironmen win the Gordon Conference league championship and earn the top seed in the state, Bosco faced the tall task of upholding the high standard that they’ve set for themselves. However, this team, led by 13 Seniors, was up for the task.
Junior Ferry Netusil
Opening Gordon Cup play, Don Bosco faced off against eighth seeded Pope John and defeated them 3-0. Led by Senior’s AJ Carey (3g, 1a) opening period tally and Jacob Castana’s (3g, 2a) two goals, the Ironmen jumped out to an early lead which they would not surrender. Senior Nick Feeley (6g, 8a) contributed three assists while Doug Sampath (1g, 5a) and AJ Carey each added assists as well. Goaltender James Tarabocchia stood strong for his 5th shutout of the season.
In the next game, CBA rolled into town looking to knock off the Ironmen, but again it was strong play from the Senior’s, as netminder James Tarabocchia made 35 saves, while Captain Dean Toskos (19g, 13a) added one goal and assisted on two others by Danny Kelly (10g, 9a). Junior Matt Shpungin (4g, 19a) added 3 assists of his own and the Ironmen were off to the final to face off against rival Delbarton for the prestigious Gordon Cup.
In the Cup final, the Ironmen kept rolling. Junior Eric Wrynn (8g, 4a) opened up the scoring in the first period, off a nice feed from Senior Captain Massimo Monteleone (6g, 11a). Dean Toskos followed up near the end of the frame, burying a wrist shot from the left circle to make it a 2-0 lead heading into the second period. However, Delbarton clawed back and tied the game mid-way through the third period at two. But less than two minutes after Delbarton tied the game, Junior Ferry Netusil (13g, 13a) found himself all alone on a pass from Gordon Conference MVP and Senior Kenny Kalman (2g, 21a) and sniped a wrist shot to give the Ironmen a 3-2 lead. Ferry would net his second goal of the third period off a feed from Sophomore Colin Feeley (0g, 8a) and Senior goalie James Tarabocchia continued his outstanding play, stopping 37 shots to earn the Ironmen their 4th ever Gordon Cup Title.
Check out the highlights courtesy of Jersey Sports Zone!
Don Bosco opened the 2023-24 season with one of the toughest schedules in the state. With a lineup led by 13 seniors, Bosco made an early statement, defeating three number one ranked teams in a span of nine days. Led by Senior Captains Dean Toskos (9g, 2a) and Matt Bossolina (5g, 2a) as well as Juniors Matt Shpungin (2g, 8a) and Ferry Netusil (3g, 8a) the Ironmen have knocked off number one ranked Delbarton, Pope Francis (MA) and St. Augustine as well as CBA, BC High and bergen catholic twice.
Sr. Defenseman Caiden Sullivan
While the offense has registered most of the highlights, Senior goaltender, James Taraboccia has been a rock on the back end, going 6-1 with a 2.00 GAA and 93.09 Sv%. In addition, Senior defenseman and Captains Kenny Kalman (2g, 6a) and Luca Chiase (0g, 6a) along with Seniors Doug Sampath (0g, 2a) and Caiden Sullivan (0g, 1a) have provided much needed depth on the blue line, limiting opponents to only 2.25 goals per game.
Bosco opens up 2024 with a home matchup vs border rival Suffern High School, January 3rd and then hits the road for a game against the Hun School on January 4th.
After a year long hiatus, the Bergen County Coaches Association Ice Hockey Tournament returned in 2022 and the Ironmen made sure to bring the trophy back to Ramsey. Facing a talented Northern Highlands team
Senior Gio Russo had a goal and an assist in the BCCA Finals
that knocked off Ramapo and Mahwah to reach the finals, the Highlanders jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first period. “We made a few mistakes in the first, but there was no panic in the locker room after that first period,” Head Coach Greg Toskos said, “We know you can’t win the game after the first period, which is something we’ve discussed all year, playing a full 45 minutes.” Bosco came right out on the power play to start the second period, but managed only one shot, then got called for a five minute major boarding penalty.
“Something we’ve always taken pride in is our penalty killing, its a chance to swing momentum and change the course of the game,” said Coach Toskos. And the
Senior Nick Milmore led the Ironmen with 2 goals and an assist in the BCCA Finals
Ironmen didn’t disappoint. On the ensuing penalty kill, Bosco scored 3 short handed goals, courtesy of Seniors Gio Russo (5g, 2a), Matt Imbriano (11g, 7a) and Junior Kris Krumins (13g, 4a), erasing the two goal deficit and adding a fourth straight shorthanded tally later in the second period by Senior Nick Milmore (5g, 6a) to regain the lead 4-2 after two frames of play.
Tournament MVP, Junior Ty Oller
In the final period, Nick Milmore, once again added an insurance goal and the celebration was on, as the Ironmen regained the BCCA title for the 9th time. Ethan Marich was outstanding in net stopping 18 of 20 shots and keeping the Highlanders off the scoreboard after the first period and Junior Ty Oller was named tournament MVP.
Bosco faces off next versus rival Delbarton on Sunday (1/23) 6:15 pm at the Ice Vault.
Check out the highlights of the 2022 BCCA Final, courtesy of our friends at Jersey Sports Zone
Goalie James Tarrabocchia ’24, plays the puck vs St. Augusitne’s Prep
Despite an opening night loss to Gordon Conference rival and NJ’s top ranked team, CBA, Don Bosco has bounced right back winning five straight games against Gordon Conference foes. During the win streak, the Ironmen defense has been stout, holding opponents to less than one goal in 4 of the 5 games and posting a shut out versus St. Augustine Prep. Strong goaltending from the duo of Junior Ethan Marich (3-2, 2.00 GAA, 92.5%) and Sophomore James Tarrabocchia (3-0, 1.00 GAA, 95.7%) have kept opponents off the scoreboard, allowing the Bosco offense to flourish.
Led by Senior Captain Matt Imbriano (5G, 2A), Juniors Ty Oller (2G, 5A), Kris Krumins (5G, 1A) and Sophomore Massimo Monteleone (5G, 1A) the Ironmen offense has been relentless in knocking off Seton Hall Prep, St. Augustines, St Peters, St Joe’s and Delbarton, outscoring opponents 17-4 during the five game win streak.
Forward Massimo Monteleone ’24 looks to make a play vs SPP
This past weekend, the team returned to Boston and earned a split on the trip, dropping the first game 4-2 to #2 ranked Xaverian Brothers High at Bentley University. The following afternoon, Don Bosco rebounded and defeated #5 ranked BC High, 7-2 at the famed Walter Brown Arena on the campus of Boston University.
The Ironmen will play one final time before the Christmas and New Year break, hosting bergen catholic on December 23rd, 6:15 pm at the Ice Vault in Wayne, NJ on rivalry night.
