Newton JV team on its way to playoffs

NEWTON-In the final regular season league game, the Braves needed either a tie or win to guarantee a spot in the Skylands Ice World's JV Playoffs. Facing Kinnelon this past Saturday, Newton was able to score one in the first period by Derek D'Agastino, assisted by John Schlaffer, and Blake Wolos. Kinnelon came back and tied it up late in the first period. With back-to-back play through the rest of the game, the Braves were able to hold up to the 24 shots on goal by fantastic goaltending from Scott Hatch. The defense of Ed Conrads, Jonathan Miller, Chris Lindfors, and John Irmiter stepped up to the challenge of holding back the Colts. With some big hits by Max Venezia and Justin Nunziato, the Braves held on for the tie. Depending upon how the other teams finish, the Braves will place either fourth or fifth. The program is in its first year and Newton athletic officials expressed their pleasure with the results so far. "We are looking to build this program for the future, and are very positive knowing what players we have coming in," said Coach Ryan Sevean. "This first year was a stepping stone, and everyone, from the players to the parents to the school, have been nothing but supportive. We are all hoping for this to have been a positive, and a motivating experience." Coach Jim Hofmann, had a similar sentiment. "I have never been so proud of a group of individuals coming together as a team. They have sacrificed a lot of time, and effort, and it only shows that they wanted to be a part of something historic," he sai