Pope John ice hockey slips into satisfactory season

SPARTA, N.J. (July 10, 2023) – The Pope John ice hockey team slipped into a satisfactory season this year, finishing with a record of 12-10-1. The Lions were hoping to build on their success from last season, when they reached the state semifinals, but they were unable to do so.

There were a few reasons for the team's struggles this year. First, they lost a number of key players from last season, including forwards Matt Funiciello and Matt Martino. Second, the team had a difficult schedule, playing against some of the top teams in the state.

Despite the team's struggles, there were some bright spots. Goaltender Jack LaCava had a strong season, posting a save percentage of .907. Defenseman Jake Conroy was also a standout, leading the team in scoring with 17 goals and 22 assists.

The team's head coach, Chris Maxwell, was pleased with the team's progress this year. "We had a lot of young players this year, and they got a lot of experience," he said. "I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do next year."

The Pope John ice hockey team is hoping to bounce back next season and make a run at the state championship. They will need to add some more talent to the roster, but they have a good foundation to build on.