By Len Bardsley

WALL — The St. Rose ice hockey team waited seven years to face Wall before hosting the Crimson Knights on Friday at Jersey Shore Arena. 

St. Rose made the most of its chance to scratch that seven-year itch against the Crimson Knights.  The Purple Roses put together one of their best efforts of the season to skate past Wall 4-3.  It was the first win in program history for St. Rose against the Crimson Knights.

Purple Rose senior captain Alex Phipps could not wait to get a chance to play Wall.  “My brother [Christian] played Wall,’’ said Phipps. “I have wanted Wall for a long time. This is the best team they have had in a long time, to beat them at their best is something I am going to remember. It will probably be my favorite win of my high school career.’’

The Purple Roses came out strong against the Crimson Knights scoring two goals in a span of 35 seconds midway through the opening period.  Michael Russ scored on a tap-in from the side of the net off a Joe Trilli assist with 6:41 left in the first period to give the Purple Roses a 1-0 lead.  Will Lemonie gave St. Rose a 2-0 advantage with 6:06 left in the first period when he was left alone in front of the Crimson Knights’ goal.

“They were ready,’’ said Wall coach Mike Dianora of St. Rose. “Give [St.Rose coach] Dan [Grothues], credit, give his team credit. They took the early lead on us, we were not prepared early.’ 

The Purple Roses took a 3-0 lead with 12:10 left in the second period when Phipps burst through the Wall defense got a step on his pursuers before firing a wrist shot past Logan Beattie.  The Purple Roses pushed their lead to 4-0 with 8:26 left in the second period when Lemonie finished off a two-on-one with Shane Force.

The Crimson Knights trimmed the St. Rose lead to 4-1 with 7:26 left in the second period when Nick Casais took a drop pass from Zach Tarantino and fired a wrist shot past Purple Rose goalie Steven Gibilisco with 7:26 left in the second period.

Gibilisco made two tough saves later in the second period, stopping Shane Haviland on a shorthanded rush and then making a glove save on a Haviland slap shot through traffic.  Gibilisco was also getting plenty of help from his defense of Keelan McGovern, Bryce Grant, Mike Fullman, Mark Sandomierski and Joe Merlucci.

Grant broke up a two-on-one for the Crimson Knights late in the second period. 

At the other end Logan Beattie kept the Purple Roses within reach by stopping Bryce Grant with a glove save and making a pad save on a 2-on-1 on Phipps in the final seconds of the second period.

“I think everyone played solid,’’ said McGovern. “It was a really well rounded game. Everyone wants this game.’’

Gibilisco made a glove save on Jack Textor and a pad save on Larry Hooper before Hooper scored on a high wrist shot for a power-play goal for Wall with 7:46 left in the third period.

Tom Falletta scored on a high wrist shot for the Crimson Knights with 2:40 left in the third period to cut the St. Rose lead to 4-3.

It got very tense and interesting for the Purple Roses when Phipps was called for interference with 2:15 left in the third period.  Wall put heavy pressure on the Purple Rose goal with Beattie pulled for an extra attacker.  Gibilisco made a pad save in traffic and St. Rose could celebrate a milestone win.

“It means everything to us,’’ said McGovern. “We have wanted to play them since Alex and I were freshmen. “To finally get the chance and beat them, it means everything to us.’’

Phipps felt it was torture to watch the last two minutes from the penalty box, but savored the final seconds on the ice while getting the long sought after win over Wall.  “It was very, very sweet,’’ said Phipps. “I waited for it and waited for it and it was worth it.’’

Grothues gave credit to his team for a great week of practice and a near-perfect game. “It is a good win,’’ said Grothues. “The boys have been waiting for this game for a while. We had a great practice week. The guys had a lot of energy going into the game, they worked hard and it paid off for them. They deserved it.’’