By Ryan Fennell
Rumson – Despite losing four starters to graduation the Rumson-Fair Haven ice hockey team is as good, if not better than last season according to head coach Chris McCafferty.
Last year the Bulldogs finished 17-5-1 but were eliminated from the state playoffs in the first round for the second straight year.
“We have pretty much the same team with the exception of those seniors but we have a couple of incoming freshman,” McCafferty said. “We’re as good, if not better, than we were last year.”
Rumson returns Captain Gary Cali, the Bulldogs top offensive player last year, to the ice this season and have a more experienced coaching staff with the additions of assistant coaches Mike Dowd and Justin Freidman.
In addition to reaching the state playoffs and advancing through the first round, McCafferty would also like to see his team win the conference title.
“We’re looking good,” said McCafferty whose team has been able to get more ice-time this preseason than they were last year. “We’re in better shape than last year to start the season. Last year we got a late start.”
Rumson has two more practices this week before opening the season against Freehold Boro on Saturday at the Wall Sports Arena.
“We had a good season last year and we’re looking to improve on that,” McCafferty said. “As long as the kids put in the work and stick to the systems we’re applying, we should achieve our goals.”
