November 27 - The Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Raider Icers started their 2013-14 season with two strong performances in a 3-1 scrimmage win against Bayonne and a 3-0 season and league-opening win against Governor Livingston before running head into a very strong Watchung Hills squad that served them an 8-1 setback.
The Raiders are being led this season by new head coach, Matt Gunther and are coming off a season where they qualified for the state playoffs for the first time in their seven-year varsity history. The Raiders are a well-experienced squad, with a strong group of returning seniors consisting of forwards Michael Rothman, Eric Hogan and Zach Rothenberg and a strong defense corps led by Tyler Hargrove, Stephen Deduck and Kurtis Wisniewski. Junior forwards John Bruckman and Davey Leong are looking to have break-out seasons and will be supported by forward Dustin Demarsico while John Wilkinson’s switch to defense should help solidify the Raider blue line. The Raiders will also be looking for solid contributions from sophomores Patrick Henkels, Matt Halpin and newcomer Michael Hosmer along with freshman Jared Figueroa. Losing All-Conference goalie Jason Breit to graduation is a big hole to fill, but senior Alex Montagna will be between the pipes looking to do so with sophomore Tim Mitchell backing him up.
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Against Governor Livingston, the Raiders were flying at the first face-off, out-shooting and out-skating the less experienced Highlanders. Tyler Hardgrove broke the ice with a first period, top-shelf slap-shot off a pass from John Bruckman. Eric Hogan was rewarded for his hard skating by scoring a goal in the second and third periods to give the Raiders a comfortable win. The Raiders out-shot the Highlanders 46-12, with Montagna keeping his concentration and getting his first varsity win and shut-out.
