The Bridgewater-Raritan High School boys’ ice hockey team had a record of 9-1 going into its first and only game against rival Ridge High School on January 8, at the Bridgewater Sports Arena.
That record increased to 10-1 with Bridgewater-Raritan’s 6-4 victory. Ridge fell to 7-3-1.
Bridgewater-Raritan senior captain Sean Fagan scored the final goal with a little under seven minutes left in the game.
Ridge started the game strong getting the puck first but Bridgewater quickly stole it back with team captain Fagan cleanly sending it into the net only 30 seconds into the game. Ridge player Brody Hanson ended the period with a goal with less than a minute to go. Tying up the first period with a score of 3-3.
Bridgewater started their second period strong winning the puck. And with another goal by Fagan soon after play started.
Bridgewater had an advantage over Ridge who were playing down two players for a few minutes during the second period. Both teams were playing strongly but Bridgewater senior Dorey managed to sneak in a quick goal before Ridge was back up to the full six players, ending the second period with a score of 5-3.
Bridgewater was down a player with only seven minutes left of the third and final period but that did not stop Fagan from scoring again. Ridge was under pressure hoping for a comeback and player Spencer Jiang sent the puck sailing into the back of the net with just under three minutes left making the score 6-4.
Freshman goalkeeper Justin Madison was swarmed by Ridge players minutes before the game ended, in a last effort to make a comeback but he repeatedly blocked the puck before he finally grabbed it and the ref blew the whistle ending the play.
On January 24 Bridgewater-Raritan has a chance at redemption against the only team it lost to this season when it pkays Pingry Schoo. Bridgewater-Raritan was defeated by a scor eof 701 against Pingry this winter.