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Paramus hockey tallies early and often
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Rink owners everywhere be warned – change the light bulbs in your goal lamps when Paramus comes to town.
The Spartans and their high-powered offense could not have gotten off to a hotter start in 2011-2012. In their 11-1 victory over Hackensack on Saturday afternoon, the offense looked absolutely unstoppable.
Paramus’s top line of left wing Mark Apidopoulos, center JJ Piccinnich and right wing Tom Palestina were scorching right from the drop of the puck. Just 27 seconds into the game, Paramus led, 2-0.
The Spartans took the puck into the zone right off the opening faceoff and Apidopoulos potted the first of his three goals just 13 seconds in. Piccinnich got his first just 14 seconds later, and the offense rolled from there.
Not to be out-done, the second line of Dylan Rizer, Matt Hazuda and Dean DeLucia got the next two with scores coming from Rizer and DeLucia to push the lead to 4-0.
Apidopoulos finished with three goals and two assists in the game, while linemate Piccinnich scored three goals and added one assist.
It was also a special game for freshman defenseman James Lyle, who picked up his first career varsity point. Lyle ripped a slap shot from the point late in the second period that struck the body of Hazuda in front to put Paramus ahead, 9-1.
Dom Petrizzo scored the lone goal for the Comets on a rocket from the point that beat Dan Crandall over his glove, but a lot of credit goes to Hackensack, who only dress eleven players – nine skaters and two goalies. It is very difficult to overcome such a disadvantage in man-power, but the Comets did not back down at any point during the game.
Meanwhile, Paramus moves on to a big early-season matchup on Sunday afternoon at the Ice House. The Spartans will take on Ramapo, a team they hope to unseat from the top of the Big North Silver. The Green Raiders dominated the division in its inaugural season last year, always playing sound defense. It should provide an excellent barometer for the Spartans and their high-octane attack.
Mark Krulish covers hockey for MSG Varsity. Follow him on Twitter: @Mark_Krulish.
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