Brick 2, Montclair 1 (1998)

Brick 2, Montclair 1
03/20/1998 - Public Final

You know you're in a barn burner when the director of communications for the NJ Devils walks up to you late in the game and announces, "That goalie is unbelievable!"

That goalie was Montclair senior David Garcia, who did all he could to practically will his team to victory in stopping 46 shots. And, if my memory serves me right, many of those saves were bordering on improbable!

This public schools championship game was staged before a then-record crowd 4,587 at Continental Airlines Arena. And, yes, the joint was jumping. Brick was ranked No. 2 in The Ledger poll and Montclair entered at No. 12.

Despite holding an incredible 30-6 shot advantage, Brick trailed, 1-0, through two full periods. I suppose that's what made the game even more remarkable; the fact Garcia was doing his best impersonation of a human backstop, yet Brick remained as intense and determined as ever.

The Ocean County school evened the score 1:04 into the third on a shot from the point by Justin Sorrentino that appeared to deflect off a Montclair defender in front. The game-winner came with 5:10 remaining in the game when sophomore wing Brian Barnfield collected a strange bounce off the end glass and knocked it home.

QUOTABLES
"In my eyes, Dave Garcia is easily the best goalie in the state. It was a typical performance that he showed. We came into the game confident and fought hard, but when you give up 48 shots to a team like Brick, eventually some will go in. Brick's a great team,'' Montclair coach Darren Groh.

"The boys did all the talking between the second and third period. They discussed sticking together and working hard. It was a real tough challenge since their goalie was so hot. We kept encouraging each other on the bench. We were outskating them, but had nothing to show for it. We knew that would change if we kept up the pressure," Brick coach Bob Auriemma.