The Dodger hockey team lost in overtime in the second round of the state tournament after making an exciting comeback. The student stands were full as the Mendham and Madison ice hockey teams took the ice. Both sets of fans made their presence known with their “boos” and “woos” when appropriate. The game got off to a quick start as both teams proved themselves fierce competition. Unfortunately, the Madison defense couldn’t hold the Mendham offense off and Mendham got their first goal late in the first period.
The second period got off to a rough start for the Madison side. Mendham scored two goals early on, giving Mendham the 3-0 lead. Things were looking bleak for Madison, especially when two Madison players were simultaneously sent to the penalty box. With three Madison players on five Mendham players, Madison fans were expecting the worst. However, spirits were lifted as captain Erik Andersson brought the puck up the ice, pulled it back, and buried it deep in the net for Madison’s first goal of the night.
Madison’s fortune seemed to be taking a turn for the better as the two players in the penalty box returned to the ice, and senior Dodger Alex Gleason scored two goals. The second period ended with the teams all tied up, 3-3.
Tensions were high between both the players and the fans as both teams reentered the ice for the third period. Mendham once again took the lead early in the third period, which gave Madison plenty of time to try to make the point back. But as time dragged on in the third period, things were once again not looking promising for the Madison team. Fortunately for the Dodgers, Andersson scored his second goal of the night with 1:08 left in the final period, forcing the teams into overtime.
The fans went crazy as the teams made their way back onto the ice for the sudden death overtime. Both Mendham and Madison fans were confident in their respective teams. The game started in a deadlock, the puck traveling back and forth from one side to the other. About five minutes into overtime, the Mendham team had the puck down on the Madison side. Madison defense seemed to be strong, but as the puck popped out to Nathan Biery of the Mendham team, there was no stopping his powerful shot that landed deep in the Madison net and brought the Dodger’s season to an abrupt end.