Madison Hockey Falls Short in Opener

MORRIS TWP. – The Madison High School ice hockey team brought the intensity and toughness to Wednesday night's season-opening 6-3 loss to Roxbury at Mennen Arena. But it was its focus, according to head coach Dave Hansen, which could use a little work.

"The effort was there," Hansen said. "The kids were doing what we asked them to do. And then they got a little selfish, and stopped playing within the system."

The Dodgers committed three crucial penalties within two minutes during the second period, setting up three power-play goals to give the Gaels a comfortable, unassailable lead.

Lou Cecala scored all three goals for the Dodgers (0-1, 0-1 MCSSIHL-Haas/Charette Division), who lost their first league opener since 2006.

"After a year we had last year (going 13-7 and reaching the Haas Cup final), a team can sometimes seem entitled," said assistant coach Joe Swanson. "A loss like this brings us back to earth a little."

Cecala got Madison on the board and in the lead just three minutes into the game. After Brett Perry's shot parried off Roxbury goalie Jared Percevault, Cecala was in the area to attempt a one-timer. He didn't get a full swing on the puck, but he got enough to cross the goal line. 

Madison played the Gaels (1-0, 1-0), who are considered among the favorites in the Haas/Charette Division, even throughout the first period, outshooting Roxbury, 9-7. But the Dodgers ran into trouble beginning in the waning moments of the period with the score knotted at 1-1.

"I think with the adrenaline, we got caught up in the moment," Hansen said. "This is a good loss to learn from, so we know to understand everybody's role on the team."

The problems began when Cecala was called for a five-minute boarding penalty with 49 seconds left in the first period. Early in the second period, a two-minute penalty on Charlie Olendorp and a five-minute foul on Bobby Yutcko gave Roxbury a long 5-on-3 advantage.

Roxbury had their pick of shots on goal, but found it difficult to beat Madison senior goalie Korbin Hoelck. Finally, Roxbury's Matt Pilanski coolly placed a point-blank slapshot in the upper left corner of the net to give the Gaels their first lead, 2-1, with 10:56 to play in the second period.

But still facing a two-man disadvantage, Madison could not withstand Roxbury's onslaught. Sean Mertens scored the Gaels' third goal 52 seconds later. He scored again, this time with Roxbury nursing a one-man advantage, beating Hoelck at the left post with 8:06 to play in the second period.

Roxbury peppered Hoelck with 10 shots in the first 6:54 of the second period, and they maintained a comfortable lead for the remainder of the game. The Madison goalie stopped 25 shots in the loss.

"I thought Korbin did well," Swanson said. "They got a lot of quality shots on him, and he made some outstanding saves."

Cecala scored late in the second period and again midway through the third period, each time pulling Madison within two goals. But the Dodgers could get no closer.

MADISON       1  1   1 - 3

ROXBURY      1   3  2 - 6

SCORING SUMMARY

M- Lou Cecala (3:01 1st period, from Brett Perry)

R- Matt Pilanski (9:02 1st period, from Jeff Kuper and Sean Mertens)

R- Matt Pilanski (4:04 2nd period, unassisted)

R- Mertens (4:56 2nd period, from Frank Corrente and Kuper)

R- Mertens (6:54 2nd period, from Kuper)

M- Cecala (12:38 2nd period, from Charlie Olendorp)

R- Andrew Bolognese (7:13 3rd period, from Stephen Graziani)

M- Cecala (9:22 3rd period, from Bobby Yutcko)

R- Pilanski (11:44 3rd period, from Kuper and Graziani)

SAVES M- Korbin Hoelck 25; R- Jared Percevault 20