Randolph 4 - Watchung Hills 2

Rams overpower Warriors, 4-2

March 9, 2007

Randolph (20-0-5) v. Watchung Hills (15-8-2)

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The Rams held true to their #1 seed by ousting Watchung Hills, 4-2, from the NJSIAA/Devils Tournament at Codey Arena (or good ole South Mountain, as us old time hockey rats know it).

The Rams opened the game up with bang. Senior Jeff Zamor picked up a loose puck in the corner and moved towards the Watchung Hills keeper, Dan Schroeder. Zamor made a nice move and took Schroeder top shelf giving the Rams an early 1-0 lead. “I just wanted to fake the pass, get the goalie to bite and hit the top corner. I saw him bite, saw the top corner and hit it,” said the senior about the opening goal.

Watchung Hills, coming off a 4-0 win over Ramapo, answered less than two minutes later. Ellie Klein found a loose puck in front the net and converted to notch the game up at one. The early action faded as both teams tightened up. The Rams killed the only penalty of the first period and held a 6 to 2 advantage in shots.

As one Hills fan put it, “”It’s amazing how it could all change in a couple of minute.” A couple of minutes, a quick burst and a mind for the net enabled the top seeded rams to explode to a 4-0 lead.

About halfway through the first, Rams Defenseman Kyle Krannich fanned on a shot just above the circle. An eager Chris Maloney picked up the loose puck and fired a low shot that finds the back of the net. The goal gave the Rams lead 2-1. Just two minutes later, the Rams took advantage of a power play as Rob Kral was able to gain his balance and composure just in time to burry the puck through the five-hole for a 3-1 lead.

Kral on his game winning goal: “I was able to get control and find my balance. It was such a great pass. I think it caught them off guard. I just gained my composure and shot.”

With a little less than two minutes to play, Hills defense man Brendon Liptke fired a rocket that Swenson covers on his blocker; The save and covered resulted in a face off deep in the Rams zone. The smart cover enabled Randolph to set up their final goal.

Junior, Forward Chris Tamminga beats the Warriors defense and deeks the keeper for the near side deposit and an important 4-1 lead.

The final Watchung Hills goal was scored by Ellie Klein. The 4-2 victory advance to the Meadowlands and will face Morris Knolls for the fourth time this season. The Golden eagles beat Fair Lawn 5-1 in the night cap. Randolph out-shot the Warriors 20 to 12. The victory for Randolph was their 13th out of the last 14 and sixth in a row since losing to CBA on February 16^th.

Click on Pictures for more Photo Action from the game.