A new era of Frisch ice hockey began this modified season with a roar as the team scored 17 goals and surrendered only one in its first two games against division rivals Bayonne and Kearny. The season began later than usual due to COVID-19 restrictions that limited sports activities throughout the state, and the Cougars emerged from the break as a hungry team, ready to attack all of the challenges that would come their way. Max Petak—who has returned from a year away—led the Cougars’ scoring with a hat trick and two assists against Bayonne, who could muster only one goal against senior goaltender Ezzy Wachsstock. Petak continued his torrid scoring pace with two goals and one assist in Frisch’s second game against Kearny, including a blistering one-timer off a gorgeous feed from sophomore phenom Aiden Sholomon just 20 seconds into the game. Junior Ezra Csillag used his skating speed to collect two goals against Bayonne, one coming off an assist from Gabriel Rosenblatt, and another goal and two assists against Kearny. In addition, Judah Volodarsky set up many goals for his teammates as he collected eight assists through two games. Frisch’s speed and power set the tone for both games, and its early dominance over Kearny allowed Frisch to clear its bench and give all players ample playing time in a rout over the outmatched Kardinals. Junior Will Jacobs contributed a late goal with an assist from junior Micah Pickett to rally the Frisch bench. Sophomore goaltender Eitan Rosenblatt faced 17 shots on net and refused to yield even a single goal, recording a shutout in his first start of the year.

Frisch looks to be a deep team this year, and should compete for the coveted McMullen Cup, which is awarded to the league champion, and which Frisch won during the 2017-2018 season. With freshmen contributors: defenseman Max Levy, along with forwards David Rosen and Aaron Lieberman, both of whom have already scored goals, Frisch is poised to be a force to be reckoned with for several years into the future. Not long ago, our community’s involvement in ice hockey was limited, but with predominantly Orthodox Jewish travel ice hockey teams now participating in youth hockey programs at all levels, ice hockey is becoming a sport that is ubiquitous across area Jewish schools and promises to be so for the foreseeable future.

By Frisch Sports