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Howell Bashes Toms River North, Takes Opening Night Victory

Abundance of goals leads Rebels in first-game victory over Mariners, 7-0.

TOMS RIVER -- Howell fans sure could get used to forwards Eddie Pyskaty and Michael Kochenash playing on a line together.

The duo accounted for five of Howell's seven goals in their opening night win at Winding River Skating Center over the Toms River North Mariners (0-1), Wednesday night.

Kochenash tallied a hat trick, scoring three goals, and Pyskaty added two goals. They assisted each other on a goal each, as well in a doiminant win.

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"It's awesome," third-year head coach Bill Daley said, "To have guys like that, who can put the puck in each night, it really gives us a great chance to win."

Senior Mike Liero added a goal as well, along with freshman standout Trevor Hueser, who scored from the point late in the game.

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"This win proved a lot," captain Brandon Hodes said, "It shows that we don't need to rely on one player and that we can bounce back well after losing Dave [Ramos] to graduation."

With the Rebels performance, the loss of Ramos seemed to have no affect on a team that's as deep that Daley has ever had.

"It's great for the first two lines," Hodes said, "They don't need to be out there all game and it's good that they are able to get a break like that."

After a sluggish start, Kochenash netted the game's opening goal with 9:34 left in the period, burying Pyskaty's initial shot for the rebound goal.

"We started out soft," Hodes added, "But we really took it to them and dominated as the game wore on."

Howell would add three additional goals in the first period, all from Kochenash or Pyskaty, to take a comfortable 4-0 lead into the break.

Pyskaty tallied his first goal of the season when Hodes' physical forecheck freed up a loose puck and the senior ripped it from the slot.

Pyskaty played defense his first two seasons at Howell, despite being a natural forward.

Five minutes after his first goal, Pyskaty would score again, assisted by Kochenash to make it 3-0. Kochenas would finish off a slapshot with 2:06 left in the period for the 4-0 score.

Liero also added a goal and an assist, adding great depth to an already-lethal line, playing with Pyskaty and Kochenash.

Defensivley, Hueser was magnificent, nullifying scoring chance after scoring chance for the Mariners.

"It's huge," Daley said of the defensive play, "To have a guy like that, its really helps us out a lot."

A chippy third period was put to a close when Kochenash scored his third goal with under a minute remaining. The period witnessed four seperate penalites and two Rebels' goals.

Zack Peras stopped all 16 Mariners shots, earning his first win and shut out of the season. Last year, Peras blanked Brick Memorial in the opening game as well for a shut out.

The 1-0 Rebels will play at Wall on Tuesday night against Monsignor Donovan at 5 p.m. in an effort to improve to 2-0. Last season, the Griffins battled back from a three goal deficit to end the game in a tie.

Greg Buckley, who was a Griffin last year, has transferred to Howell but will not play because of suspension issues due to the transfer.

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