Seton Hall 3, Brick 2 (1998)

Seton Hall Prep 3, Brick 2
03/23/1998 - Overall State Final

There were a few memorable moments during the 1997-98 campaign. First, there was the fact this would be the first season the Devils would be hosting the the final rounds of the tournament. And even before Seton Hall reached the overall state final against Brick, there was that 3-1 triumph over Delbarton that included one of the most dramatic center-ice collisions I've ever seen.

With about 8:30 left in the second period, Delbarton winger George Parros, who is now playing for the NHL's Colorado Avalanche, collided with Seton Hall's Zach Hatcher in what is now simply referred to as 'The Hit.'

The overall state final, pitting No. 1 Seton Hall Prep and No. 2 Brick, was a fitting end to the season before 3,285 at Continental Airlines Arena. The game looked to be headed to overtime when Brick pulled into a 2-2 tie with 6:42 left in the third. Dan O'Connor controlled a loose puck between the circles and swept home a wrist shot past Hall goalie Jeff Skowronski.

But leave it up to a lumbering defenseman to put an end to any hopes of working overtime. The Hall's Ed Caldwell, who entered the game with just three goals all season, tipped in a perfect backhand feed from sophomore Chris Swon with 3:28 left to give Seton Hall the victory.

Caldwell would also offer one of the funniest quotes of the year in the locker room after the contest: ``Swon had all the brains and I had all the brawn on that one,'' he said. Caldwell was correct in his assessment, as he fought off a check before controlling the pass. Swon's backhand feed was absolutely picturesque.

Hatcher would also play a role is this meeting by sending Brick's Bobby Acropolis flying through the air after unloading a hip check which was captured by Star-Ledger photographer Andrew Mills. This Seton Hall Prep team was certainly loaded with talent from top to bottom. Brady Crooks, Brandon Doria, Dan Percella, E.J. Solimine, Justin Liebman, John Dibble, Hatcher and Swon. Brick countered with players such as Steven Acropolis, Bobby Acropolis, Vinny Ruiz and Chip Colgary.

It was also a memorable moment for Hall co-coach John Warchol, who finally got to celebrate an overall state title. I remember Warchol viewing the game while standing on crutches from between the two benches. The veteran skipper was recovering from hip replacement surgery that was performed just one month earlier.

Junior Jeff Skowronski, who made 18 saves, was making his first start in the playoffs. Joe Tonzola had started the previous three state tournament triumphs.

Entering the game with Brick, Seton Hall had gone 46-4-3 over the previous two seasons. Two of those setbacks were to Ocean County nemesis, Brick. But not on this this night when a 6-2, 185-pound defenseman was in the right spot at the right time.

QUOTABLES:
``Coach (Peter) Herms told me Friday after our victory over Delbarton in the parochial schools championship that I would start this one. I just prepared myself to play by being mentally strong. It was tough to focus early on with everything going on, but I was able to settle down after a few shots,'' Seton Hall goalie Jeff Skowronski.

``Seton Hall played a trap and we just couldn't beat it. They played more tentative this time and they seemed to be around me everytime I touched the puck. I had no room to really move. They were hitting much harder this time around,'' Brick forward Bobby Acropolis.