Middletown North's offense was as good as advertised. And the Lions' defense was just good enough to earn them their first New Jersey state hockey championship.

Pumping in five goals against a stingy Ramsey defense, Middletown North squeezed out a 5-4 victory in the Public B state final at the Prudential Center in Newark. Robert Hampton recorded four points for the Lions and goalie Anthony Manfredi made 15 saves in a frantic final period.

Hampton had two goals and two assists as Middletown North built a 5-3 lead after the second period. Khristian Acosta added a goal and an assist, while Timmy Felice and Vincent Tomassetti also scored for the fourth-seeded Lions.

Manfredi ended up with 30 saves overall.

Alex Whelan scored twice in the first period for Ramsey, but the Rams' elite scorer was shut out the rest of the way. Garrett Mast and Brandon O'Callahan also had goals for the second-seeded Rams.

Tyler Harmon had 20 saves for Ramsey, which finishes at 25-4-1. The Rams fell in the state final for the second straight year after losing in the semifinals the two previous seasons.

Middletown North ends at 18-5-4. The Lions earned their first state championship in the 15th year of the school's varsity hockey program.

For sports video highlights of this New Jersey high school boys' ice hockey state final game, click play in the box at left.