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Great Eight: First Game Together a Scoring Frenzy for TR Hockey

Hat trick for Taliercio

TR Hockey beats Brick December 2024 photo 2

Junior forward Brady Verdon celebrates his second-period goal (above), and captain Alex Fortunato gives teammate Joseph Taliercio an approving pat on the helmet (right), as the two seniors played a part in seven of their team's eight goals yesterday.

Photos by Allison Goodwin.

Taliercio and Fortunato celebrate after goal

Dec. 6, 2024-- Toms River high school hockey is now a district-wide affair, and it's off to a heck of a start.

In 2017, the hockey teams of High School East and High School South formed a co-op. SEAST hockey, under coach Jason Verdon, seemed to get better each year. Entering 2024-2025, they're receiving a little help from their friends: High School North.

Toms River Hockey is one big family now, and the new-look team had its first game yesterday against Brick at Winding River Skating Center. It was a successful, senior-led effort: Joseph Taliercio netted a hat trick plus an assist, Nick Salzano scored twice, and defenseman Alex Fortunato was credited with two assists as the team defeated their Shore rivals 8-1.

one team three schools photo by Allison Goodwin

Three schools, one team. So far, so good. Photo by Allison Goodwin.

It was an all-around effort and good omen for guys still learning to play alongside one another, as a whopping 11 Toms River players were involved in the scoring frenzy. Sophomore goalie David Gawalis had 19 saves on 20 shots.

In attendance to document the inaugural game was High School East teacher Allison Goodwin, and a batch of her outstanding photos are included in a slideshow below.