FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, NJ- The Governor Livingston Highlanders varsity ice hockey team was in full control for the first 30 minutes of Saturday night’s game — capitalizing on their chances on the power play and on a few Westfield Blue Devils mistakes — they looked to be on their way to the McInnis Cup Semifinals. However, Westfield had another story as they stormed back on the power play to tie the game in the third and take the lead minutes later to finish off a three-goal third period to win by a final score of 4-2 at Protec Hockey Ponds Ice Center in Franklin Township.
With Governor Livingston senior co-captain Kyle Wahlers in the box for a hooking penalty, Westfield waited and was patient for looks on the ensuing power play and connected. Westfield senior Matt Rittendale, who took a penalty that led to the Highlanders’ second goal, not only tied the game on the power play, but secured a milestone in getting his team back in the game. His game-tying power play goal was his 100th career point.
“I was looking to get the puck in the slot, get a shot and put it right by their goalie,” Rittendale said of his game-tying goal.
The Blue Devils had momentum in their favor and after denying a potential breakaway chance for Governor Livingston, continued to create chances to break the tie.
Timmy Rosa gave the Blue Devils a 3-2 lead with 8:02 left in the third period, making up for the team’s earlier struggles with an electric third period on the ice.
“It’s a great feeling. It’s a team effort, all about the team,” Rosa said. “I have to thank C.J. [Duffy], our goalie, he played great.”
“We’re a third period team,” Westfield head coach Joe Betrucci said. “We’ve been down in the third period. I told the boys after the second period, ‘We’ve been here before against good teams’ and were able to answer. We put a few pucks in the back of the net and were able to come away with a win.”
Full Coverage of Governor Livingston-Westfield 2018 McInnis Cup First Round Matchup Here
