It has been almost five years to the day, but the 2023 Green Wave are Gordon Cup champions!  The #1 ranked Green Wave defeated #2 CBA 4-2 at Codey Arena on February 16, bringing the Gordon Cup back to Mendham Road!

The fierce battle between the state's top two hockey programs opened with a bang.  Just twenty seconds in to the first period, the big first line of Trip Pendy '23, Nick Faccone '23 and Duncan Stewart '23 raced out to an odd-man rush, with Faccone sending a perfect pass to Pendy who ripped a shot high glove side passed the goalie for a 1-0 lead.  This was exactly what the Green Wave needed, putting the pressure on CBA immediately.  At 4:22 of the first, the line struck again, this time with Pendy finding Stewart in front of the net for the one-timer in traffic, giving Delbarton a huge 2-0 lead.  That lead would stay after one period of play, but if you know CBA, this was never going to be a 2-0 game.

With a fresh ice to start the second, CBA got on the board 50 seconds in making it a 2-1 game.  However, Delbarton would not go down easy.  They continued to put on the offensive pressure, with freshman Liam Donnelly '26 putting Delbarton ahead 3-1 (game winning goal) off a beautiful pass from Max Pendy '24 and Dante Rodriguez '25.  A roughing call would put CBA on the power play, and Christian Chouha planted one in the open net for a 3-2 Delbarton lead.  The Green Wave defense was tested often in the second, but stood strong in front of goalie Jason Cai '23.  

In the third period, both teams had unsuccessful power plays, but at 11:36 in the third period, Trip Pendy put the game away for the Green Wave, sending a shot stick side for his second goal of the game, from Timmy Galvin '23 and Michael Padula '24.  Jason Cai would make the final save of his 24 saves as the buzzer sounded with the team celebrating on the ice.  For all members of this team, it's their first ever Gordon Cup title.

Delbarton now turns the page and begins preparation for a return to The Rock in the Non-Public A tournament.  The Green Wave enter as the #1 seed, with games beginning next week.

Congrats to Coach Shatel, Coach Wicker, Coach Ross and the entire Green Wave hockey program on another Gordon Cup title.