Are you struggling to communicate in your marriage?
One decision can change your future!
Marriage coaching is a pro-active, goal
oriented alternative to marriage counseling.
Mark E. Lund, MD & Liz Devine Hewson
Dedicated to helping you communicate, heal
and experience a deeper connection.
Call or visit our website to Schedule
Your Complimentary Session.
732-379-7050 | TwinLightsCoaching.com
18 APRIL 2021 | TheJournalNJ.com
BY TIM MORRIS
It was a season unlike any other. Challenges awaited the Rumson-Fair Haven
Regional High School ice hockey team at every turn. Besides the daily
games being canceled or postponed just before the drop of the puck. Day to
day, the players didn’t know if the season was going to go forward.
“It was a scary feeling playing through the pandemic,” said RFH Head
Coach Eric Zullo. “We were scheduling games within 24 hours. We only prac-
outstanding job staying with it. They were laser-focused when they had to be.”
The 2021 campaign was a season for the history books as these Bulldogs
“That big zero in the loss column was really big for us,” said Zullo.
“We played a strong schedule. They accomplished everything they could. It
was a great ride.”
With no championship hardware to be won, the Bulldogs’ motive, Zullo
explained, was their state-ranking. Coming off a championship 16-3-3
season in ’20, the Bulldogs were looking to earn a place among the state’s
best by backing it up. It turned out, they would have that chance because,
of all reasons, the pandemic. With many conference games canceled, the
Bulldogs were able to schedule games against four North Jersey teams, all
Photo courtesy of 85x200.com. Rumson-Fair Haven players celebrate a goal during their
beat them by identical 3-2 scores. The Bulldogs trailed Hunterdon Central,
2-0, heading into the third period but rallied to pull it out with three
unanswered goals. Mike Kuras tallied the game-winner. Those wins
helped propel the Bulldogs to the No. 10 ranking in the state, according
to several high school polls.
“We were focused on our ranking,” noted Zullo. “We made a case
for ourselves.”
Zullo knew his Bulldogs had a real chance to be that good this year
with 11 returners from the Handchen Cup winners of ’20.
“We knew we had a strong group,” said Zullo. “We had depth. We
could roll out three and four lines.”
Rumson- Fair Haven’s incredible depth was on display offensively
where the Bulldogs had 17 players score at least one goal and 12 scoring
multiple goals.
Forwards Brett Pritchard and Ryan Croddick led the balance effort.
Pritchard deposited the most goals with 12 and added nine assists to
lead RFH in scoring with 21 points. Croddick tallied nine goals and a
team-best 10 assists for 19 points. Defender Spencer Lee chipped in
with 12 points on three goals and nine assists. Connor Spagnuloa and
Charlie Tallman each had four goals.
Andrew Schmidt, Spencer Hobson, Casey Freeman, Lee and Peter
O’Connor proved that the Bulldogs had depth on defense too. They could
throw multiple defensive lines at teams. Ronan Hickey was as outstanding
in net as expected, backing an experienced defense in front of him.
He allowed just 17 goals all season and had a .927 save percentage.
Coaches had to innovate in 2021, and some of the things Zullo
had to do his year, he’ll use next year. Forced to communicate via Zoom
before practices, the head coach learned he could save practice time on
the ice that way. He was able to tell his players what drills he would be
running ahead of time. That made them more prepared when they hit
part of his coaching, but it took on more of a meaning in ’21.
“Film was always used, but I think the kids bought into it this year,”
said Zullo. “They saw how valuable it is.”
Those lessons and with another deep roster returning next winter,
the Bulldogs are well on their way to gaining validation of their success.
/TwinLightsCoaching.com
/TheJournalNJ.com
/85x200.com