The Ironmen Hockey team closed out their regular season campaign in historic fashion this past Tuesday afternoon, playing the first ever high school hockey game at the new UBS Arena, home of the NHL’s NY Islanders. Don Bosco faced off against Long Island’s own, Portledge High School, while the Islanders and UBS Arena staff rolled out the red carpet for both teams, everyone in attendance was treated to a back and forth hockey game between two of the top ranked high school teams in the NJ/NY area.
Vice Chairman – UBS Americas, Brian Hull, drops the puck in the first ever high school game at UBS Arena
Senior Captain, Nick Milmore (10g, 6a) gave Bosco the early lead, finishing off a scrum in front of the Portledge net to open the scoring. However, the Ironmen would give Portledge some life late in the opening frame as they converted on an odd man rush to knot the game at one apiece after the first period.
After regrouping in the locker room following the first period, Bosco came out and dominated play with 15 second period shots on net, but couldn’t break through as the Portledge goaltender made several point blank saves. “After the first we talked about getting stronger in offensive zone, grinding out possessions and working for those greasy goals that we’ve gotten all year,” Coach Toskos said.
DBP celebrates Senior Capt. Matt Imbriano’s game winner
Not to be outdone by his counterpart, Junior Goalie Ethan Marich (7-5, 2.23 GAA) kept the Ironmen in it the entire game, stopping 25 of 26 shots and spoiling Portledge’s attack on several occasions, making key saves to keep the game tied at one.
With under a minute to go in the third period, Portledge earned an offensive zone faceoff. Senior Captain Matt Imbriano (15g, 9a) took the draw and won it cleanly, pushing it forward between both Portledge defenseman and then it was off to the races. “When I got in the faceoff, I looked up and saw their defensemen spread out and I thought if there was a chance to do it, now was the time,” said Imbriano. Out skating both defenseman and with the game on his stick, Imbriano finished off the breakaway short side to give the Ironmen a 2-1 lead, scoring with 14 seconds remaining to seal Don Bosco’s 16th win of the season and finish with a 16-5-1 regular season record.
Next up #3 seed Don Bosco will host #6 seed Seton Hall Prep, Friday (2/11) at 8:00 pm in the Quarterfinals of the Gordon Cup at the Ice Vault.
After a year long hiatus, the Bergen County Coaches Association Ice Hockey Tournament returned in 2022 and the Ironmen made sure to bring the trophy back to Ramsey. Facing a talented Northern Highlands team
Senior Gio Russo had a goal and an assist in the BCCA Finals
that knocked off Ramapo and Mahwah to reach the finals, the Highlanders jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first period. “We made a few mistakes in the first, but there was no panic in the locker room after that first period,” Head Coach Greg Toskos said, “We know you can’t win the game after the first period, which is something we’ve discussed all year, playing a full 45 minutes.” Bosco came right out on the power play to start the second period, but managed only one shot, then got called for a five minute major boarding penalty.
“Something we’ve always taken pride in is our penalty killing, its a chance to swing momentum and change the course of the game,” said Coach Toskos. And the
Senior Nick Milmore led the Ironmen with 2 goals and an assist in the BCCA Finals
Ironmen didn’t disappoint. On the ensuing penalty kill, Bosco scored 3 short handed goals, courtesy of Seniors Gio Russo (5g, 2a), Matt Imbriano (11g, 7a) and Junior Kris Krumins (13g, 4a), erasing the two goal deficit and adding a fourth straight shorthanded tally later in the second period by Senior Nick Milmore (5g, 6a) to regain the lead 4-2 after two frames of play.
Tournament MVP, Junior Ty Oller
In the final period, Nick Milmore, once again added an insurance goal and the celebration was on, as the Ironmen regained the BCCA title for the 9th time. Ethan Marich was outstanding in net stopping 18 of 20 shots and keeping the Highlanders off the scoreboard after the first period and Junior Ty Oller was named tournament MVP.
Bosco faces off next versus rival Delbarton on Sunday (1/23) 6:15 pm at the Ice Vault.
Check out the highlights of the 2022 BCCA Final, courtesy of our friends at Jersey Sports Zone
Goalie James Tarrabocchia ’24, plays the puck vs St. Augusitne’s Prep
Despite an opening night loss to Gordon Conference rival and NJ’s top ranked team, CBA, Don Bosco has bounced right back winning five straight games against Gordon Conference foes. During the win streak, the Ironmen defense has been stout, holding opponents to less than one goal in 4 of the 5 games and posting a shut out versus St. Augustine Prep. Strong goaltending from the duo of Junior Ethan Marich (3-2, 2.00 GAA, 92.5%) and Sophomore James Tarrabocchia (3-0, 1.00 GAA, 95.7%) have kept opponents off the scoreboard, allowing the Bosco offense to flourish.
Led by Senior Captain Matt Imbriano (5G, 2A), Juniors Ty Oller (2G, 5A), Kris Krumins (5G, 1A) and Sophomore Massimo Monteleone (5G, 1A) the Ironmen offense has been relentless in knocking off Seton Hall Prep, St. Augustines, St Peters, St Joe’s and Delbarton, outscoring opponents 17-4 during the five game win streak.
Forward Massimo Monteleone ’24 looks to make a play vs SPP
This past weekend, the team returned to Boston and earned a split on the trip, dropping the first game 4-2 to #2 ranked Xaverian Brothers High at Bentley University. The following afternoon, Don Bosco rebounded and defeated #5 ranked BC High, 7-2 at the famed Walter Brown Arena on the campus of Boston University.
The Ironmen will play one final time before the Christmas and New Year break, hosting bergen catholic on December 23rd, 6:15 pm at the Ice Vault in Wayne, NJ on rivalry night.
Don Bosco Hockey is set to open its 57th season of play led by Senior Captains Matt Imbriano (57 GP 14g, 21a), Joe Bossolina (13 GP 1g, 1a) and Lukas Klemm (24 GP 10g, 18a) who will be counted on to lead a young Ironman squad to success in 2022.
In addition to the three Captains, Senior forward Nick Milmore (16 GP 4g, 3a) and defenseman Tyler Alesso (9 GP 0g, 2a) will also be counted on to provide depth and leadership to the young core.
Senior Captain Matt Imbriano
On the blueline, the Ironmen return Sophomore’s Lukas Peterson (10 GP 0g, 1a), Kenny Kalman (12 GP 0g, 1a) and Luca Chiaese (2 GP, 0g, 0a), as well as Junior’s Andrew Chanfrau (4 GP 0g, 2a), Liam St. Pierre (4 GP 1g, 1a) and newcomer Maverick Hammond. Backstopping the Ironmen in net, is Junior Ethan Marich and Sophomore James Tarabacchia.
Up front returning Junior’s Ty Oller (29 GP 11g, 9a), Eddie Asante (6 GP 1g, 1a) along with Sophomore’s Dean Toskos (12 GP 6g, 6a) Matt Bossolina (10 GP 0g, 1a) and Massimo Monteleone (5 GP 1g, 2a) will look to add firepower and build on the success they had last year. Joining this years forwards and looking to make immediate impacts are Junior’s Brendan Murphy, Kris Krummins and Giovanni Russo, along with Freshman Cooper Snee and Matt Shpungin
Entering his 16th season at the helm for Don Bosco, Head Coach Greg Toskos (244-107-27) will look to guide the Ironmen to once again claim post season success. “The expectations for this season remain the same as they always do for us and that’s to compete for a league, county, conference and state championship like we have for the past several seasons and will continue to do so in the future. We have strong Senior leadership in our room as well as a host of young players that will make impacts for us throughout the season.”
Once again Don Bosco will still play one of the toughest schedules in the state. Along with playing each of the Gordon teams, Bosco will travel to Massachusetts and play Xavarian High School and BC High in December as well as renew a rivalry against the Portledge School at the new UBS Arena in February. Additionally, the Ironmen will also play a strong in state Non-Conference schedule including Morristown Beard School, Hun School and Lawrenceville Prep.
Follow along all season on HockeyTV or via our social media; Twitter: @DBIronmenHockey and Instagram: @boscohockey and check back for frequent articles and video highlights.
Matt Imbriano #22 celebrates one of five DBP goals in 2021 Gordon Cup State Finals
Don Bosco Hockey is proud to announce that Seniors Matt Imbriano and Joe Bossolina, will join current Captain Lukas Klemm as team captains for the 2021-22 season. Imbriano, a four year varsity letterman and the only returning player from the 2019 State Championship team, will look to be the first player in school history to win three state titles and build on his 34 career points (14g, 20a) in 56 games.
“Both Matt and Joe have demonstrated leadership qualities the past few seasons, on and off the ice,” says Head Coach Greg Toskos. “Matt is part of a special group of players at Bosco who are four year varsity players. He’s won a lot of games over the past three years, including two state titles. While Joe showed last year the team meant more to him than any individual stats. Joe has played a variety of positions for us, but last year he stepped into a new role, took on the challenge and excelled. That’s the make up of a true leader. We’re really excited to have both Joe and Matt join Lukas as this years captains.”
Joe Bossolina #13 celebrates his game winner vs Delbarton
Don Bosco opens the season November 26th at home vs CBA and will once again play one of the toughest schedules in the state. In addition to Gordon Conference opponents, Bosco will also take on Non-Conference foes The Hun School, Morristown-Beard and Lawrenceville School. The Ironmen will also travel up to Boston to take on perennial power BC High and Xaverian Brothers and will look to renew an old rivalry versus the Portledge School.
