Sparta hockey clinches state playoff berth

Sparta -If the inaugural season of the Sparta High School varsity hockey is an indicationof things to come, then the future looks very bright for the skating Spartans. With a hard fought 2-2 tie against Passaic Valley on Monday, Feb. 6, the Spartans clinched a state playoff game in just their first season of varsity competition. Scott DiStefano and Mike Postorino scored the goals for Sparta, with the assistance of Nick Podkowik and Matt Tantillo. Freshman Chris Pszonek played perhaps the best game of his young career, stopping 26 of the 28 Passaic Valley shots. Many of the saves fitting in the spectacular category. Sparta’s defense, led by Mike Miseo, Matt Bowley, Greg Morante, Ben Glaubman and Bob Lyons, came up big in the third period, helping Pszonek to hold the opposition scoreless. At the Feb. 13 cutoff date for playoff eligibility Sparta’s record was 8-7-1. NJSIAA bylaws allow for automatic playoff qualification for teams with a .500 or better winning percentage. The Spartans also hold an impressive 7-2-2 record in the Blue Division of the Northern Conference, currently tied for second with Passaic Valley and further qualifying the Spartans for the Blue Division Cup playoff. Dates of future playoff games have yet to be determined. Sparta’s next game is against Newton, at 9 p.m. Friday Feb. 17 at the Chill Out arena in Hackettstown.