The Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey Hockey Jaguars kicked off their 2018-19 season Tuesday evening at RYNJ’s Felman Athletic Center. Before the game, a presentation was held to honor last year’s championship team with brief speeches given by coach Dov Elefant, coach Yitzi Karasick and Athletic Director Dan Sanacore praising the team’s dedication and effort towards earning the HAYMISH championship for the first time in school history. The current year’s roster was also introduced right before the championship banner unveiling.

The Jaguars started their 2018-19 season against Manhattan Day School. They jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first period on goals scored by Eli Knapp, Shlomo Mittel and Dani Greenberg. During the second period, MDS scored to bring the game to 3-1 with a goal by Jacobs which was later made a 4-1 RYNJ lead on a goal scored by Max Sandel. A second goal by Shlomo Mittel (both on the power play) at the end of the period two made it 5-1 RYNJ.

As the game entered the third period, an early goal by Srulowitz of MDS made the game 5-2. RYNJ answered with an additional goal of its own scored by Sariel Rotblat to make the game 6-2. Aryeh Eizikovitz scored a goal shortly after that to make the score 7-2 midway through the final period. With 6:20 left in the game, Rotblat scored his second goal of the game to make the score 8-2 in favor of RYNJ. Gavriel Rudman scored his first goal of the season on the power play to make the score 9-2 with four minutes left. That score was the final score as the RYNJ Jaguars hockey team begins their season with a record of 1-0.

At the conclusion of the game, Mr. Sanacore presented coach Dov Elefant and coach Yitzi Karasick each a hockey stick signed by players from last year’s championship team as a token of the team’s appreciation for all of their efforts during last season. With an opening night win, this year’s Jaguars are off to a good start in defending that title. Their next game is Thursday, November 1 at Ramaz starting at 7:30 p.m.