Ice Hockey: Montville downs Roxbury in a key Halvorsen battle (PHOTOS)

Montville has had its share of peaks and valleys so far this season and the team has been looking for consistency.

Over the past four games, the group has started to find it.

Two goals from Brendan Perretta helped Montville avenge an earlier loss to Roxbury with a 4-1 win in a Halvorsen Division tilt at Mennen Arena in Morristown on Monday.

The Mustangs are now on a four-game unbeaten streak (3-0-1).

“I think we just came out and were focused from the start,” Perretta said. “We played a complete game. We were flat the first game. We came out with everyone going hard to the net and playing a simple game. I think it was a great all-around team effort.”

Adrian Prelich came up with important stops in the opening minutes to keep the game scoreless and his stops at one end helped the rest of the team settle down on the other.


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Joe Nuzzi jarred the puck loose on the forecheck and Danny Scheine found Perretta in the slot and he beat Ryan Callahan to break the scoreless tie with 4:10 remaining in the first period.

“We came out hard in the second,” Perretta said. “It was a little slow start but once we got that goal we just took off. We were just buzzing. Everyone was excited on the bench and it kept going.”

Danny Scheine doubled the lead late in the frame and Montville was accomplishing its goal. The team was playing to its identity and the results were starting to show on the scoreboard.

But there’s a reason Roxbury has been a team to beat in the Halvorsen Division.

The Gaels came out in control in the third period, tilting the ice towards Prelich and pulled to within one on a goal from Nick Falco with 9:10 to play.

“It’s tough when a team has momentum late in the third,” Perretta said. “They bang in that goal and we had to get the momentum back quick. I think we did a great job squashing their momentum.”

Perretta delivered the blow to swing momentum to Montville’s favor for good, as he scored his second of the game out of a scramble in front.

The senior defenseman has been hot with seven goals in his last five games. He has 10 in 13 on the season overall.

“He’s equally as important, if not more, on the defensive side of the puck,” said Montville coach Alex Beatrice. “He’s a guy that I rely on for so much on the penalty kill side and the defensive zone. It’s good to see him get recognition on the scoresheet.”

Matt Szwagulinski sealed the win on a goal with 10 seconds left.

Brian Bobal may be reached at bbobal@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Brian on Twitter @BrianBobalHS. Like NJ.com High School Sports on Facebook.

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