Rejuventated Lions team peaking at perfect time BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer JEFFGRANIT staff St. John Vianney's Danielle Christie takes a hit from Bishop Ahr's Catie Rose during the Lancers' state tournament win on March 1 in Holmdel. The Middletown High School North ice hockey team was looking to continue its turnaround season on Monday when it faced off against Princeton in the NJSIAA Tournament at the Wall Sports Arena. After posting just six wins a year ago, the Lions rebounded with a 15-4-2 mark. Along the way, Middletown North won the New Jersey Ice Hockey League's Southern Conference White Division regular season title with an 11-1-1 record. Coach Joe Campisano's team then downed Brick, 6-3, and Wall, 5-2, to win the White Division tourney and the Jim Dowd Cup. That helped earn Middletown North the 15th seed in the state tournament and the Lions opened with a resounding 8-2 triumph over Jackson to set up the meeting with Princeton, the 18th seed. The winner meets second-seeded Ridge tonight at the Bridgewater Sports Arena. "Things have come together at the right time for us," Campisano said. "We've rolled three lines throughout the tournaments and our guys have handled the challenge. They're really beginning to understand the effort and dedication it takes to play at a high-level game after game." Overall the Lions went 16-4-2 by playing a disciplined style that allowed the team to counter the opposition with its speed. Traditionally known for its hard-nosed style of play, this year the Lions have added the element of speed. "When we started last season, we had seven freshmen and they learned the hard way," Campisano said. "They were in a lot of games and when they beat Randolph and Montclair, I thought they had turned a corner, but their lack of experience was still a factor. It was a learning experience and it's paid off for us this year." Junior Mike Criscuolo is the Lions' top scorer, with more than 30 goals, but Middletown North is not a one-man team, Campisano stressed. Captain Drew Koehler has been solid all season, but especially so since the tourneys started, and has 25 points to his credit. Nick Brown is back after recovering from a broken wrist; he has 10 goals. Joe Vega, who scored a hat trick against Jackson, Kevin Kelly and Walter Heid have played well, as have the trio of Jay Maranzino, junior Brian Kirk and sophomore Dan Wrensen. Sophomores Ricky Buonono and Tom Marchigano, both up from the junior varsity, have played well when called upon. Marchigano netted his first two varsity goals in the Jackson win. Joel Mazzola and Shane Hall have handled the goaltending duties, and North's defense anchored by senior Scott Palmer and a pair of sophomores, Rich Meyer and Bryan Felice, has been solid. "We're still a relatively young team, but the biggest difference is confidence," the coach said. "Our guys think they can win. In our last two playoff games we scored twice in the first five minutes, both times. Our guys are coming to play from the opening faceoff. That's what we've stressed all year and it's good to see it happening."