Sparta ices High Point in varsity debut

Sparta - The closing of Skylands Ice World did not deter either High Point Ice Hockey coach Mike Beltran or Sparta coach Mike Vrabel from searching far and wide for available ice time to save their fledging hockey programs. For both teams, far and wide meant New York State. High Point plays most of its home games in Newburgh, NY, while Sparta plays at the Sport-O-Rama Ice Rink in Monsey, NY. On Saturday night, Sparta and High Point teams met at Chill Out Sports Arena in Hackettstown in both program’s first ever varsity ice hockey game. The High Point team used its speed to skate to an early 2-0 first period lead on goals by Dan Benston and Tom Primo. Primo in particular seemed to be everywhere on the ice, creating several good scoring chances throughout the game. His efforts, however, were thwarted by Sparta’s senior goalie, Mike Ryan. Sparta’s defense tightened in the second period and the Spartans eventually tied the game on 2 goals from senior centerman Nick Podkowik. In the third period, both High Point goalie Andy Beltran and Sparta’s Ryan denied every shot until finally, with 8:06 remaining, Sparta’s Matt Tantillo netted the game winner off a feed from Scott Distefano. Sparta endured a two man disadvantage for the last 41 seconds of the game after Nick Podkowik was penalized for roughing and High Point pulled its goalie from the net for the extra skater in a furious effort to tie the game. Sparta’s defense held for a historical win. “Getting the first varsity victory in our first game, well that makes the late nights and long bus rides seem all worth while.” said Coach Vrabel. Game Summary Period 1 HP 4:12 Benston (Assist by DiBerardino) HP 1:33 Primo (Assist by Faherty) Period 2 SP 5:47 Podkowik (Assist by Brzostowski) SP 4:09 Podkowik (Assists by Postorino and Vrabel) Period 3 SP 8:06 Tantillo (Assist by DiStefano, and Postorino) Shots on Goal HP 27 SP 15 Saves HP Beltran 12 SP Ryan 25