EHLP Frozen Finals Championship

87 goalie Cole Moore makes the glove save on a penalty shot in the third period of a 4-2 game during the New Jersey 87’s vs Railer Jr Hockey Club EHLP Frozen Final Championship at Ice Line Sports Complex, West Chester, PA. 3/28/21. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com

The New Jersey 87’s are the EHLP 2021 Champs. They won the EHL Premier Frozen Final Championship Game in a convincing manner, controlling the third period after the Railers Jr Hockey Club made a game of it by scoring 2 quick goals late in the second to get it to 3-2. Hugh McGuigan, who led the team in scoring during the playoffs, scored early in the third to make it 4-2 which eased the tension a little for the 87’s until a penalty shot was called on a Ben Peiffer delayed of game penalty with six and a half minutes left in the game. Goalie Cole Moore, who won the Frozen Final MVP, came up with a big glove save which dampened any comeback thoughts by the Railers.

87’s forward Hugh McGuigan (47) celebrates scoring the teams fourth goal during the New Jersey 87’s vs Railer Jr Hockey Club EHLP Frozen Final Championship at Ice Line Sports Complex, West Chester, PA. 3/28/21. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com

Michael LoRicco had the first tally that was the only score in the first period. He then added one in the second and was followed by Hugh McGuigan’s first of the game, which ended up being the game winner, before the Railers made a comeback with two goals in the last two minutes of the second, one each by Jayden Blackburn and Jake Barcelou to make it 3-2 at the end of two. This led to the third period where McGuigan came up big and Moore came up even bigger to keep the 87’s in control of the game with a 4-2 lead with just over 6 minutes left in the game. Damion Williams closed out the scoring with a power play goal at 16:42 of the third to make the final 5-2.

NJ 87’s Patrick DiMarinis during the New Jersey 87’s vs Railer Jr Hockey Club EHLP Frozen Final Championship at Ice Line Sports Complex, West Chester, PA. 3/28/21. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com

The 87’s got to the final with a 3-0 win on Saturday over the Lumberjacks Hockey Club as Cole Moore kept everything in front of him making 28 saves for the shut out. Luke Satkowski, Patrick DeMarinis, and Damion Williams scored goals as each aspect of the offense was represented, short handed, even strength and power play respectively. The game was an action filled event with the 87’s not getting the third goal until late in the third period. The 87’s beat the New Jersey Renegades in the third round of the playoffs to get to the Frozen Final.

NJ 87’s Ben Peiffer, named to All-EHLP’s First Team, stickhandling past a forchecker during the New Jersey 87’s vs Railer Jr Hockey Club EHLP Frozen Final Championship at Ice Line Sports Complex, West Chester, PA. 3/28/21. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com

The 87’s led the South Division of the EHLP for most of the season and had the fourth overall best record for the year. It is the second consecutive year that they led their division during the regular season. They did lead the league in all specialty team play including power play goals, power play assists, shorthanded goals (tied), and shorthanded assists. As a team the 87’s were very balanced with seven players with double digit goals and seventeen in double digit points in this shortened and peculiar season.

NJ 87 Ivan Borisov during the New Jersey 87’s vs Railer Jr Hockey Club EHLP Frozen Final Championship at Ice Line Sports Complex, West Chester, PA. 3/28/21. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com

The 87’s was led on the offensive side this season by Ivan Borisov with a line of 19-22-41. The Metuchen NJ native also led the team in power play points and game winning goals and was named to the All-EHLP Second Team. On the blue line Ben Peiffer led the D-Men with a 6-22-28 line and was named to the All-EHLP First Team for his play in both ends of the ice. Middletown North alum goalie Matt Corella led the team in wins and goals against pct with 10 and 2.85 respectively and recorded the teams only regular season shutout.

All my game galleries are located here

Feature images caption: The NJ 87’s are the 2021 Eastern Hockey League Premier Champs after the New Jersey 87’s vs Railer Jr Hockey Club EHLP Frozen Final Championship at Ice Line Sports Complex, West Chester, PA. 3/28/21. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com

Recent Photos

During the New Jersey 87’s vs Railer Jr Hockey Club EHLP Frozen Final Championship at Ice Line Sports Complex, West Chester, PA. 3/28/21. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
The team celebrates with the cup after the New Jersey 87’s vs Railer Jr Hockey Club EHLP Frozen Final Championship at Ice Line Sports Complex, West Chester, PA. 3/28/21. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
Coach Adam Houli with the cup after the New Jersey 87’s vs Railer Jr Hockey Club EHLP Frozen Final Championship at Ice Line Sports Complex, West Chester, PA. 3/28/21. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
The NJ 87’s captains Anthony Mule (left), Luke Satkowski (center) and Hugh McGuigan with EHL’s Joe Bertagna with the Cup after the New Jersey 87’s vs Railer Jr Hockey Club EHLP Frozen Final Championship at Ice Line Sports Complex, West Chester, PA. 3/28/21. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
87 goalie Cole Moore recieves the Frozen Finals MVP Award from EHL’s Joe Bertagna after the New Jersey 87’s vs Railer Jr Hockey Club EHLP Frozen Final Championship at Ice Line Sports Complex, West Chester, PA. 3/28/21. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
The goalies meet on the handshking line after the New Jersey 87’s vs Railer Jr Hockey Club EHLP Frozen Final Championship at Ice Line Sports Complex, West Chester, PA. 3/28/21. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
RFH’s goalie Ronan Hickey makes a glove save during the Rumson Fair Haven vs Manasquan Shore Conference Hockey Game at Red Bank Armory, Red Bank, NJ. 1/25/21. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
NJ Titan’s Jake LaRusso gets around the defense during the NJ Titians vs Danbury Hat Tricks NAHL Hockey Game at Middletown Sports Complex, Middletown, NJ. 2/3/21. Tom Smith For NJ Titans
Matawan’s Andre Wells goes up for two of his 32 points during the Matawan vs Middletown North Pod C Championship Game at Matawan HS Gym, Matawan, NJ. 3/5/21. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
Middletown South’s Mike Volpi gets behind the defense on his way to score during the Middletown South vs Southern Shore Conference Hockey Game at Middletown Sports Complex, Middletown, NJ. 1/19/21. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
Howell’s DJ Henry and SJV’s Issac Montalvo in the 170lb bout during the St John Vianney vs Howell Shore Conference Wrestling Match at SJV HS Gym, Holmdel, NJ. 3/19/21. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
St Joe’s goalie Marino Lupo makes the glove save during the St Joe’s (Metuchen) vs St John Vianney Egan Conference Hockey Game at Woodbridge Community Center Ice Rink, Woodbridge, NJ. 1/20/21. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com

The Junior Hockey Scene on the Shore

Junior hockey in New Jersey has boomed in the last five years with multiple Tier 3 teams throughout the state and one Tier 2 team here in Monmouth County. The NAHL is the only Tier 2 league in the United States and the New Jersey Titans play their home games at Middletown Sports Complex. The Eastern Hockey League has two levels, EHL and EHL Premier, and the NJ 87’s is the league’s representative on the Shore playing home games at the Jersey Shore Arena in Wall. The Titans also have a Tier 3 team in the NA3HL that plays at the same facilities in Middletown. The Titans have been in Middletown since the 2015-2016 season, adding the NA3HL affiliate in 2020. The 87’s started their premier team in the 2017-18 season, expanding to have two teams, one in both the EHL and EHLP, the following season. They moved to JSA this year after being playing home games at Middletown before that.

Colts Neck NJ native Jake LaRusso, here takes the shot that scored the Titans first goal of the game, had two goals during the NJ Titans vs the Johnstown Tomahawks NAHL Hockey Game at Middletown Sports Complex, Middletown, NJ. 11/29/20. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com

The Titans are currently in 4th place in the NAHL East Division with 15 points in 16 games played so far this season, which has been slowed due to a late start and an early holiday break due to New Jersey’s Covid restrictions. Inconsistent is the word that Titan Coach Graig Doremus used in describing the team, explaining further, “Sometimes we looked better than we are and sometimes we looked worse.” Doremus continues to explain that with the loss of experience, only five skaters returning from last year, “We knew that there was going to be some ups and downs due to the loss of veterans from last year, and when you add that many new faces to the NAHL I think you can expect some growing pains.” The Titans are expecting better when the season continues as Coach Doremus is enthusiastic to get back to playing, stating, “that our best hockey is still in front of us.”

87’s goalie Jeremy Conner, who is second in the EHL in save percentage, makes the stop as defenseman Spencer Whilte looks on during the NJ 87’s vs Philadelphia Little Flyers EHL Hockey Game at Ice Line Arena, West Chester, PA. 12/11/20. Tom Smith for EHL Hockey

The NJ 87’s in the EHL are in first place in the South Division with 38 points in the 21 games they have played this season. The EHL went to a neutral ice format when states went on heightened levels of restrictions to help get more games in during the early part of the season. Coach Adam Houli of the 87’s describes the season so far as, “Where expectations were thought to be. The EHL team is veteran-laden team so we expected success early, we want to make sure we maintain success throughout the sevenmonth-long season and we are where we want to be at this time.” The 87’s are on a holiday break until Jan 11th with a home game at JSA in Wall looking to extend their 3 game winning streak.

Titan’s goalie Berk Berkeliev keeps his eyes on the puck as he stops Jay Ahearn on the first shoot out attempt during the NJ Titans vs the Johnstown Tomahawks NAHL Hockey Game at Middletown Sports Complex, Middletown, NJ. 11/29/20. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com

As with all sports this year the pandemic has played a big part in how teams stay healthy and focused. It has to be extremely difficult for the young men to be away from home and in a new environment. Most Junior Hockey programs utilize local billeting to support the players for housing, and as Coach Doremus explains, “The players have to make the right decisions every day, mask-wearing and minimizing their exposure off ice. We want to create as much of a bubble as we can and we believe the players have bought into the plan, understanding the rewards of keeping themselves on the ice.” The inability to do team bonding and group off ice events has to be hard on the social needs of 20-year-olds, as Doremus explains, “It has been a real challenge for them to find team activities to do away from the rink, so it’s probably not real glamorous in terms of free time, a lot of relaxing and a lot of video games. Unfortunately, that’s the world we live in now, but it’s better than the alternative of not playing at all.”

87’s Nick Swain, picked as the top performer in week3, comes off the boards with the puck during the Philadelphia Little Flyers vs NJ 87’s EHL Hockey Game at Iceworks Skating Complex, Aston, PA. 10/12/20. Tom Smith for EHL Hockey

The one thing that drives Junior Hockey is getting the young men to college. The clubs operate on the pretense that colleges will come and look at their players and commit to them a college education in return for playing hockey. The 87’s are on course to get its age out commitments this year even though the pandemic has changed it up a little. Coach Houli says the difference is it’s more old school, “it’s more man-hours, which is fine, it is what the job entails. It’s more getting on the phone to talk it through, and working with college coaches to get them to practices and whatever games we get to play. We try to be unique and creative in doing our job through these different times.” There is also a difference for the players. Both coaches, Doremus and Houli agree, the players have to do their homework and select schools that fit their priorities for the education side of the commitment. Houli emphasizes that, “The players have to do a lot of work, they need to do a lot of research to hone in on what schools they want to target because just as much as being recruited they need to recruit the school that bests fits their educational needs.” Both the Titans and the 87’s, along with each league, are meeting or exceeding the yearly average commits this year, even with the changes the pandemic is forcing the NCAA to make.

Johnstown Tomahawk and Middletown NJ Native John Gelatt gets ready to take his turn in the shootout during the NJ Titans vs the Johnstown Tomahawks NAHL Hockey Game at Middletown Sports Complex, Middletown, NJ. 11/29/20. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com

Both of these teams, and the organizations they represent, are conscious of what it takes to play this year. They are trying to create the tightest bubble possible for the players, coaches, and organizational people that are needed to allow the games to go on. Keeping the teams isolated from the community by making team functions within the team facilitiesis one thing along with monitoring each player and helping them to understand that following the team, local and state protocols are important, not only for themselves, but their teammates as well. Every one of these players are looking to move up to the next level, whether it’s DI, DII, or DII hockey, and a lapse of judgment by any one of them could knock them all out of that opportunity.

So, what is next for Junior Hockey during this season of changes? I hope that USA Hockey, the organization that sanctions junior hockey in the US, and Gov. Murphy’s office find a way to let the leagues play. These leagues are not youth hockey and shouldn’t be grouped in with them when Covid Restrictions are placed on sporting activities. USA Hockey has been lobbying to separate Junior Hockey from youth hockey and both organizations and the leagues have been included in these conversations. I believe that they should have the same restrictions place on them as professional and NCAA sanctioned sports have. If the NFL, NBA, NHL, and multiple sports in the NCAA, including hockey, can travel freely to play sports to empty arenas and stadiums I think the same opportunity should be given to these young men.

All of my game galleries are located here.

Featured Image Caption: 87’s Kei Yasuda (9), who leads the EHL in assits and points, here scores the opening goal during the NJ 87’s vs Philadelphia Little Flyers EHL Hockey Game at Ice Line Arena, West Chester, PA. 12/11/20. Tom Smith for EHL Hockey

Recent Photos

87’s Matt Herrick with the puck at the point looking to make a play during the NJ 87’s vs New York Apple Core EHL Hockey Game at Hatfield Ice Arena, Colmar , PA. 12/10/20. Tom Smith for EHL Hockey
Little Flyers goalie Jakub Kubik making one of his 32 saves during the NJ 87’s vs Philadelphia Little Flyers EHL Hockey Game at Ice Line Arena, West Chester, PA. 12/11/20. Tom Smith for EHL Hockey
87’s Joe Guercio looks to get the puck toward the net during the NJ 87’s vs New York Apple Core EHL Hockey Game at Hatfield Ice Arena, Colmar , PA. 12/10/20. Tom Smith for EHL Hockey
Titan’s Jake LaRusso celebrates after scoring during the NJ Titans vs the Johnstown Tomahawks NAHL Hockey Game at Middletown Sports Complex, Middletown, NJ. 11/29/20. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
Middletown South’s Luke Albrecht grabs the ball for an interception during the Mater Dei Prep vs Middletown South Shore Conference Football Game at Mater Dei Football Field, Middletown, NJ. 10/17/20. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
87’s George Weiner, who leads the teams defensemen in scoring at the break, here is skating the puck through center ice during the NJ 87’s vs New York Apple Core EHL Hockey Game at Hatfield Ice Arena, Colmar , PA. 12/10/20. Tom Smith for EHL Hockey
Charlotte Bednar crosses the finish line with a time of 17:21, the second of all time and the fastest time by a NJ runner during Girls Race at the Holmdel Invitational at Holmdel Park, Holmdel, NJ. 11/25/20. Tom Smith for NJ MileSplit
87’s Mattheww Bielinski celebrating after his second goal during the NJ 87’s vs Philadelphia Little Flyers EHL Hockey Game at Ice Line Arena, West Chester, PA. 12/11/20. Tom Smith for EHL Hockey

AND WE ARE BACK

High school sports as it was is not coming back soon, but the 2020 version 2.0 is here and it feels good to capture sports again. With limited schedules for the fall season all sports other than football started on October 1st, football starts on October 2nd. With a full slate of football, soccer, boys and girls, field hockey, girls tennis and cross country on there respected opening days the athletes, coaches, and fans have something to cheer about since a few months ago it did not look promising for any sports to be played this fall. The two indoor fall sports, girls volleyball and gymnastics have been pushed out until after the new year. As a sports photographer, getting behind the camera and following play through the little window of a view finder never felt better than today. It really does feel good to have something to follow live, in person, capturing what athletes love to do…….compete.

Jackson Jags second baseman Christian Pellone gets the force out of Chris Marzo during the Jackson Jags vs Monmouth Monarchs game in the Last Dance BB Tournament at First Energy Stadium, Lakewood, NJ. 7/16/20. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com

We left the 2019-2020 HS sports season last March where everything was shut down before basketball could finish its tournament and hockey and indoor track were able to just squeak by to their championships. Spring sports season was a no show due to the pandemic and doubt was cast on this school season up until late August. Baseball was able to show up with the Last Dance Tournament, which had over 200 teams of high school athletes competing for trophies and bragging rights. Cranford won it all in late July against Jackson. It didn’t replace the spring season, but it gave last years seniors some closure from the lost of their final high school baseball season.

Freehold Township’s Ryann Leohner, here moving the ball up field, scored the only goal in the match during the Middletown North vs Freehold Township Shore Conference Girls Soccer Match at Middletown North HS, Middletown, NJ. 10/1/20. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com

The fall sports season is six weeks long with a shortened playoff format. Athough football traditionally plays one game a week, the other sports did not have restrictions on the amount of games played in a week until this year. There is a limit of 14 games for soccer, with each team playing two games a week for the most part. There is an exception to play 3 games in two different weeks, but there is no more than 14 games with a limited state tournament at the end. The state tournament will have six regions that will be seeded by a committee, with the higher seed having home field advantage with no neutral site games. No group championships, and no TOC for the fall season in any sport.

RBC’s Daniel Brewton takes the ball early in the first quarter during the Red Bank Catholic vs Mater Dei Prep Shore Conference Football Game at Count Basie Field, Red Bank, NJ. 10/2/20. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com

Football started with the most restrictions due to the state guidelines for attendance, the limit of 500 fans that can attend. It also had the most cancelled games in week one for any of the fall sports, mostly precautionary due to third party contact notices in the reports that I have read. The season will encompass 6 games and then a two game extension that will be played by teams that opt in. The extra games, it will not be a playoff, will be based more on geography than school size and there will be enough 4 team pods to satisfy all schools with intent cards submitted and will play both weeks. As is with all other sports, there will be no titles at the end of the 8 game season.

Recent Photos

Middletown North’s goalie Ellie Kacen makes the save here, she was the goalie with the most work during the Middletown North vs Freehold Township Shore Conference Girls Soccer Match at Middletown North HS, Middletown, NJ. 10/1/20. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
St Joe’s Jordan Kinsler makes a one handed grab as he defends a 2 pt conversion during the St. Joes (Met) vs Elizabeth Big Central Conference Football Game at Brenner Family Field, Metuchen, NJ. 10/3/20. Tom Smith | for NJ Sports Media
Nick Beetel was on the mound and got the win to help the Jackson team advance during the Jackson Jags vs Monmouth Monarchs game in the Last Dance BB Tournament at First Energy Stadium, Lakewood, NJ. 7/16/20. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
MDP’s Ra’Jahn Cooper finds one of the few openings for a big run during the Red Bank Catholic vs Mater Dei Prep Shore Conference Football Game at Count Basie Field, Red Bank, NJ. 10/2/20. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
Middletown North’s Tiffany Brickle and Freehold Township’s Kayla Wong both work at midfield to control the ball during the Middletown North vs Freehold Township Shore Conference Girls Soccer Match at Middletown North HS, Middletown, NJ. 10/1/20. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
Elizabeth’s Yasir Pierce catches the teams first TD pass of the year during the St. Joes (Met) vs Elizabeth Big Central Conference Football Game at Brenner Family Field, Metuchen, NJ. 10/3/20. Tom Smith | for NJ Sports Media
RBC’s QB Anthony Boriello looking for options from the endzone during the Red Bank Catholic vs Mater Dei Prep Shore Conference Football Game at Count Basie Field, Red Bank, NJ. 10/2/20. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
St Joe’s Rocco Bellamy makes the solo tackle in the end zone for the Falcon’s second safety during the St. Joes (Met) vs Elizabeth Big Central Conference Football Game at Brenner Family Field, Metuchen, NJ. 10/3/20. Tom Smith | for NJ Sports Media
Freehold Township’s Alyssa Napo pushes the ball up field along the sideline during the Middletown North vs Freehold Township Shore Conference Girls Soccer Match at Middletown North HS, Middletown, NJ. 10/1/20. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
Elizabeth’s Cadet Wendell stretches out to grab the pass during the St. Joes (Met) vs Elizabeth Big Central Conference Football Game at Brenner Family Field, Metuchen, NJ. 10/3/20. Tom Smith | for NJ Sports Media
St Joe’s Omari Jones avoiding defenders as he scampers for plus yardage during the St. Joes (Met) vs Elizabeth Big Central Conference Football Game at Brenner Family Field, Metuchen, NJ. 10/3/20. Tom Smith | for NJ Sports Media

Galleries located at tspsportsimages.com

Link to the St Joe’s Metuchen gallery is at NJ Sports Media

It All Comes to a Screeching Halt

South Brunswick’s bench and student body explodes with jubilation as the last shot of the game goes in, whereas Marlboro’s Alex Rather (2) can’t believe the run is over. During the Marlboro vs South Brunswick NJSIAA Central Group IV Sectional Final at Marlboro HS Gym in Marlboro, NJ. 3/10/20 Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com

Have you ever driven down the Turnpike at seventy-five miles an hour and came upon a sea of red? Red lights that is and had to stop quickly………..Well that is what has happened to the world. Believe me, I am not saying that sports should be the center of attention when the world is in crisis, but if it is a major part of your business model, then you’re always thinking of what could’ve been throughout your now idle day. I already miss the game, whichever one you pick, whether it’s watching it on TV, sitting in the stands or photographing it. My last game was an exciting one, down to the last shot to decide who moves on and who goes home, but the winner never moved on as things came to a stop. We’ll come back when this ends, to the game, as sports and competition is a part of our social being. I’ll grab my gear and get in position to push the button to record the moment when we get back to our new normal. So be safe, take care of yourself and the others in your life and I’ll see you at the game.

Giovanni Crepaldi carrying the prize after the CBA vs Don Bosco NJSIAA State Tournament Hockey Final at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. 3/9/20 Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com

The winter championships, the ones I covered, that were completed before the year did includes the track and field Group Championships, the Meet of Champions and the State Ice Hockey Championships. Congratulations are in order for the hockey teams of Morris Knolls, Randolph, Summit, Christian Brothers Academy and the inaugural girls champs Morristown-Beard. There was a slate of five games over two separate nights at the Prudential Center, each carrying the weight of a trophy for the winners of each game. It was a full day of ice time, plus extra time (two OT games), as the top 2 teams in each group, Girls, Public A, Public B, Public C and Non Public fought it out to decide who takes the trophies home.

RFH’s Lilly Orr finished with the best time in the 400m, this is her third time winning the 400m Group Championship, and captures the NJSIAA Group 2 Championship at John Bennett Indoor Athletic Complex in Toms River, NJ 2/29/2020 Tom Smith for NJMilesplit

Track and Field Group Championships showed up early and the Shore Conference went out and grabbed 20 individual wins, eight boys and twelve girls, as CBA captured the Boys Non Public A for a tenth consecutive time and their twenty-fifth overall. The winners from all the events plus others with qualifying times go on to compete in the Meet of Champions. The Shore had two runners win multiple events, Shaw Powell from CBA won the 1600m and the 3200m and Lilly Shapiro from Colts Neck won the 800m and the 1600m. Lilly Orr from Rumson-Fair Haven had a great day winning the 400m for the third consecutive year.

Kingsway’s Stone Caraccio, who anchored the 4X800 Relay team to a US #1 finish, crosses the finish line during the NJSIAA Meet of Champions at Ocean Breeze Park and Athletic Complex in Staten Island, NY 3/8/2020 Tom Smith for NJMileSplit

The Meet of Champions had its ups and downs, its a great place to photograph the jumping events, along with its controversies. The boys 1600m seeded race had two finishes, a finish that was short a lap and one that included all 1600m. The NJSIAA handed out awards for both finishes and Allentown’s Liam Murphy will probably never lose the 1400m record as there should never be a reason for that distance to be ran as a race again. The best of the day as far as records was the Kingsway HS 4X800 team which came away with the US#1 time this year as Stone Caraccio anchored the teams come from behind win over Ridge HS, who has the US#3 time from the race.

So what to do now that all of sports as we know it has been completely cancelled or postponed, some seasons finished before they started. Well for one thing the honey doo list gets done. I’ll be helping my niece with baby sitting. I’ll also be doing more ride by photography. Things that are in motion will catch my eye, such as surfing, skateboard parks, maintaining a socially acceptable distance of course. I’ll work on my craft and my art with landscapes and lighting experiments. I’ll also keep coming back to write and show off some of the things that I capture in during this time of isolation.

Tom

Recent Photos

The Champs after the Morristown-Beard vs Summit Girls Ice Hockey State Championship at The Prudential Center, Newark, NJ. 3/5/20 Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
The Champs after the CBA vs Don Bosco NJSIAA State Tournament Hockey Final at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. 3/9/20 Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
The three time Champs after the Summit vs Ramsey NJSIAA State Tournament Hockey Final at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. 3/9/20 Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
Summit’s goalie Lilly Spinner kept her team in it with 25 saves, here she kicks out her pad to make a toe save during the Morristown-Beard vs Summit Girls Ice Hockey State Championship at The Prudential Center, Newark, NJ. 3/5/20 Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
CBA goalie John Donohue was stellar between the pipes with 20 saves during the CBA vs Don Bosco NJSIAA State Tournament Hockey Final at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. 3/9/20 Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
Summit’s Tom Pryymak skates around the net for the wrap around attempt, he had three points ( 2g, 1a) during the Summit vs Ramsey NJSIAA State Tournament Hockey Final at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. 3/9/20 Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
Morristown-Beard’s Kaitlin Skorzewski moving the puck around the net to start a rush up ice during the Morristown-Beard vs Summit Girls Ice Hockey State Championship at The Prudential Center, Newark, NJ. 3/5/20 Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
Colts Neck’s Natalie Shapiro crosses the finish line, brandishing double Shaka Hands, while winning the NJSIAA Group 2 Girls 3200m State Championship at the John Bennett Indoor Athletic Complex in Toms River, NJ 2/29/2020 Tom Smith for NJMileSplit
Chatham’s 4X400 Relay teammates use an unorthodox form of a baton pass during the NJSIAA Group 3 Championships at John Bennett Indoor Athletic Complex in Toms River, NJ 2/29/2020 Tom Smith for NJMileSplit
Audobon’s Aden Tomeo clears the high jump bar at 6 feet 6 inches and claims second in the NJSIAA Group 1 High Jump Championships at John Bennett Indoor Athletic Complex in Toms River, NJ 2/29/2020 Tom Smith for NJMileSplit
Imacculata’s James Ptack crosses the finish line again, here for the NJSIAA Non Public B 3200m Championship, as he won the Championships for the 800m, 1600m and the 3200m races at the John Bennett Indoor Athletic Complex in Toms River, NJ 2/28/2020 Tom Smith for NJMileSplit
Pingry’s Caroline Dunnenbaum gets lift from the pole to help her clear the bar at twelve feet seven inches for a new meet record at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions at Ocean Breeze Park and Athletic Complex in Staten Island, NY 3/8/2020 Tom Smith for NJMileSplit
J F Kennedy HS – Paterson’s Jamier Wright-Collins jumps over the bar at six feet ten inches to claim the NJSIAA MOC High Jump Championship at the Ocean Breeze Park and Athletic Complex in Staten Island, NY 3/8/2020 Tom Smith for NJMileSplit

HS Hockey Championships in New Jersey

It’s not surprising, to me anyway, why I chose this time of year to publish my first blog. I am a hockey fan, from youth teams to the pros, and I love to photograph all of them. For those who don’t know me, I am a freelance photographer working in Central New Jersey covering primarily high school sports. I consider myself a photojournalist with a desire to cover all sports at all levels. I have been doing this since 2014 when I started my business and allowed it to occupy most of my time since I retired from the corporate world in 2017. The links above will give you a view of some of my work.

So now that you have an idea of who I am let’s get to the heart of this idea of a blog. I want to present an opportunity for people to follow an idea of sports photojournalism, as I see this as something that is going away for many reasons, (this may be a future article), and to maybe fill a digital void that is not consistently covered. I chose Monmouth and Ocean Counties NJ because this is where I live and work currently. It will include high school, junior college, and university level sports that I get to cover. It will include teams outside of the Shore Conference when we get to the state level playoffs for high school sports. It will include some recaps, previews, my own opinions, and of course photos. I will try my best to post something every week, dependent on my schedule, and whether there is something to say.

Squan’s Chris Farinacci scored the game winner from ceter ice, here is moving the puck up the boards during the SJV vs Manasquan Dowd Cup Finals at Jersey Shore Arena in Wall Township, NJ. 2/20/20 Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com

So now the 2020 HS Hockey State Tournament. The quarterfinals are on Monday, March 2nd at the highest seed home ice. The Shore Conference started with 17 teams across all four groups in the tournament. Dowd Cup winners Manasquan, Handchen Cup winners Rumson-Fair Haven and Gordon Cup winners Christian Brothers lead the way being seeded 5, 4 and 1 respectively in their brackets. I will be covering games all week including most of the semi-finals and I will be at the Rock on Monday the 9th for the finals. If there is a Shore team still in it, I will prioritize these teams while covering the games for Jersey Sporting News and Hockey Clan.

Michelle McCabe takes the shot from the slot during the Trinity Hall vs Oak Knoll School NJ Girls Hockey Game at Red Bank Armory, Red Bank, NJ. 2/8/20. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com

This year is the inaugural tournament for Girls Ice Hockey, with the Devils hosting the final and an All-Star Game on March 5th. Girls ice hockey has grown in NJ over the last few years and this tournament is a culmination of all that growth. The tournament is put together by coaches and AD’s from the schools that host a team, as the NJSIAA does not sanction the sport yet. There is a Shore team, Trinity Hall, that is seeded #2 in the bracket, with a young team that is full of sophomores and freshmen and could be a strong competitor in future tournaments.

RFH’s Sam Catalano, scoring his first goal here, had a hat trick to lead RFH during the RFH vs Middletown South Handchen Cup Final at Jersey Shore Arena, Wall Township, NJ. 2/20/20. Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com

So, stay tuned for upcoming editions of this blog. I will be talking about the hockey tournament and throw in some basketball games that will be played for the Shore Conference Tournament and the State Tournament as they play through March. Track and Field championships for high school are also scheduled soon as the Meet of Champions is the day before the hockey final. Brookdale Community College spring season starts in a few weeks with baseball, softball and lacrosse games during the middle of March. I am going to be doing some Rutgers spring sports also, where the Men’s and Women’s lacrosse teams are projected to do well in the Big 10. But for now, it’s hockey and more hockey. I hope that my storytelling with photography is something that entices people to come back often. Enjoy the photographs and reading what I have to say.

Tom

Recent Photos

Princeton’s Derek Topatigh (28) uses his body to help in containing Cornell’s Noah Bauld behind the net during the Princeton vs Cornell ECAC Hockey Game at Hobey Baker Rink, Princeton, NJ. 2/1/20. Tom Smith | For DGS
Sometimes its complicated playing goalie as Nicholas Emilio gets company during the Middletown North vs Christian Brothers Academy Shore Conference Hockey Game at Middletown Sports Complex, Middletown, NJ. 1/16/20. Tom Smith | tspimages.com
Princeton goalie Stephanie Neatby watches the puck after it comes off her blocker, one of her 15 saves during the Princeton vs Yale ECAC Women’s Hockey Game at Hobey Baker Memorial Rink in Princeton, NJ. 2/22/20 Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
No words needed………after the SJV vs Manasquan Dowd Cup Finals at Jersey Shore Arena in Wall Township, NJ. 2/20/20 Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
Princeton’s Carly Bullock after her second goal of the game, this gave her 150 pts for her career, during the Princeton vs Yale ECAC Women’s Hockey Game at Hobey Baker Memorial Rink in Princeton, NJ. 2/22/20 Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com
SJV’s Colin Gartz celebrates the tying goal with under a minute left in regulation during the SJV vs Manasquan Dowd Cup Finals at Jersey Shore Arena in Wall Township, NJ. 2/20/20 Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com