Jan. 7, 2025- The matchup between two of the Shore Conference's best teams lived up to its billing, as Toms River Hockey (7-2-1) and Middletown North (6-3-1) went into overtime yesterday and ended in a 2-2 tie.

Senior forward Nate Danyo scored both goals for TR, and junior goalie David Gawalis had a whopping 43 saves. Danyo's second goal put Toms River up 2-1 in the third period, but the Lions' Dominiks Marnauza scored with less than a minute left in regulation to send the game to OT, where things remained undecided.

The Shore foes are settling into something of a rivalry. Last season, Middletown North shocked Toms River — which entered the postseason with a record of 18-2 — in the quarterfinal round of the Handchen Cup with a 2-1 win despite Toms River's 50 shots on goal. Now, with both teams returning strong squads for the 2025-2026 season, the early-season matchup was worth the wait, albeit unrevealing.

It did, it should be said, reveal that both teams are strong Shore contenders once again. 

Photos courtesy of Allison Goodwin.