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DePaul picked up its third shutout of Lakeland High School this season on its way to the McMullen Cup finals. Goalie Matt Fantuzzi made 19 saves to earn the win, and the Spartans applied intense pressure throughout a large portion of the semifinal contest, held at the Ice Vault in Wayne. DePaul will now go after its first ice hockey cup title in only its fourth year of varsity play in the sport. |
The first period was evenly matched with both teams creating a few opportunities. DePaul slowly began to impose their game and halfway through the period they were in control. With less than two minutes left in the perio, DePaul’s Zach Modelski’s shot from the point was deflected into the net by Joey Redmon, giving the Spartans the lead at the first break.
DePaul totally dominated Lakeland in the second period. A terrific individual effort early in the stanza by Scott Steinel gave the Spartans a 2-0 lead. Steinel took the puck from his own zone and skated past the Lakeland defense, squeezing one past the Lancer goalie.
The Spartans played nearly the entire period in the Lancers' zone due to relentless pressure. Lakeland managed only two shots in a demoralizing period, but the superb effort by goalie Keith Gay kept the score at 2-0. Gay gave his team hope in a period that could have seen the Spartans break it wide open.
After the long break, Lakeland came out determined to make this a hockey game with their trademark physical play. Early in the period they had a couple of quality chances, but Fantuzzi made the key saves. Lakeland also had back-to-back power plays but could not capitalize. DePaul was able to withstand the pressure and secure their third win in four tries over their league foe.
DePaul will now prepare for top seed Verona, who they’ll face Sunday at noon at South Mountain Arena in West Orange. DePaul lost to Verona 3-2 in their first meeting, but two weeks later avenged the loss in a 5-0 win. Coach Frank Krause will have his team fired up looking add the McMullen Cup title to its Passaic County high school ice hockey championship from earlier this season. -- Emir Liguori for Jersey Sports Now
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