In a game that the Raiders needed to win, they came out and played one of their best games of the season. The ultimate game winning goal came with 3.5 seconds left in the second period.
Jared Figueroa was hands down the player of the game, nabbing the first two goals of the game, and adding an assist on the third. His two goals were his team leading 27th and 28th of the season. Senior captain John Bruckman scored the sixth and final goal, which would have gone unnoticed if that was not his 100th career point (goals and assists). This is a tremendous accomplishment that very few players are able to do in their high school careers.
The Raiders received another strong game in goal from junior Tim Mitchell. He conceded one goal on a shorthanded breakaway late in the second period. The Highlanders also had a strong performance in goal from Matt Altomare for the first two periods. The score was only 2-1, and he was keeping them in it, but the Raiders opened the floodgates in the final period receiving four goals from senior captain Davey Leong, junior Nick Cassara, junior Patrick Henkels, and Bruckman. The Raiders have played their best hockey in the third period, and hope to continue that throughout the rest of the Union County Tournament.
The 11-11-1 Raiders secured their spot in the semifinals which will take place Wednesday evening at Warinanco Park in Roselle where they will take on top seeded Summit.