TIGER SHARKS THREE-PEAT! Kolar's last second stunner gives Sharks a championship hat trick and the Fall/Winter 2007-08 Title!!!

Hackensack NJ 3/13/08-Steve Kolar's inside-the-blue-line blast with 21 seconds remaining broke a 4-4 tie and gave the Tiger Sharks an thrilling victory over the North Stars last night at the Ice House. In doing so, the win earned the team their third Ice House Adult League championship in a row.

The Sharks, playing with a short bench due to the absence of second leading scorer John Farrell and defenseman Kevin Vas, hoped to play a responsible defensive game and capitalize early. The Sharks did just that. Tiger Sharks all-time leading scorer John Banks got the team on the board first with a pretty goal early in the first period. After the North Stars tied the score, Kurt Ahrens got his first of two goals on the night on a rebound of a hard, low shot from Lou Messina on the point. Messina, playing in perhaps his final game as a Tiger Shark, had an exceptionally strong all around game on defense for the Sharks.

After a second goal from Ahrens and one from Sean Insler, the Sharks found themselves leading 4-2 and the vision of another championship in sight.

However, the North Stars had other ideas. The game developed a definite snarl as both teams went jaw-to-jaw with each other on several occasions. Dave Moloughney, Thurm Kolar, and Rick Sanchez all had run-ins with various North Stars throughout. At one point, Thurm Kolar and a North Star were at center ice face-to-face seemingly just seconds from an all out brawl. Cooler heads prevailed, but the aforementioned intensity reached an even higher level after the North Stars cut the Shark advantage to 4-3 halfway through the final stanza.

The Tiger Sharks dug in and attempted to hang on. But again, the North Stars kept coming. Finally, with less than 3 minutes to play the North Stars got the equalizer.

With the score now tied 4-4 and late in the third period, both teams pressed for the potential clincher. But, the North Stars seemed to have the better of the chances in the waning minutes of the third period. The Stars hit the far post once and then were absolutely robbed by goaltender Rich Schlomann on two unbelievable scoring chances right out in front.

As the clock ticked away to less than 30 seconds remaining, it seemed almost inevitable to everyone in attendance that this championship would have to be decided in sudden death overtime.

Then the Tiger Sharks, as they have done so many times in the past, made the play they needed to win. As the puck caromed towards the Shark blue line, Shark winger Steve Kolar found the puck on his stick and broke out on a two-on-one break. Kolar bore in, looked pass, and unleashed a mighty shot which seemed to hand cuff the Stars goaltender. The puck flew past the Stars goalie as Kolar's stick broke in two. The Tiger Sharks had regained the lead at 5-4 with just 21 seconds remaining. The Sharks bench erupted in bedlam as Kolar was mobbed in an on-ice celebration.

The team then collected itself, bore down, and gave the North Stars no other scoring chances in the final seconds.

The final horn sounded and the Sharks mobbed Schlomann and each other, as they congratulated themselves on a hard fought, almost improbable last second championship.


TIGER SHARKS(D4) WIN SPRING '07 CHAMPIONSHIP

Hackensack NJ 6/28/07-The Tiger Sharks defeated the Teamen with an intense come-from-behind victory by a score of 5-2 last night at the Ice House.

The win gave the Tiger Sharks organization it's second championship this year.

After falling behind 2-0 the Sharks got a huge power play goal from Ryan Mason with just 00:04 left in the second period. John Farrell then tied the game with just over seven minutes to play in the third period.

The Tiger Sharks smelled blood and John Banks, Farrell again (on a sweet breakaway) and Steve Mitacek tallied to close out the scoring and give the Sharks the championship title.

League leading goaltender Rich Schloman was spectacular again in the nets. His save on a breakaway late in the second period, with the Sharks down 2-0, may just have preserved the game and the Sharks championship season.

As usual, the Sharks will not ice a summer team and await the start of the always competitive Fall/Winter campaign this October.


TIGER SHARKS DEFEAT HOBOKEN ROCKETS IN FALL/WINTER CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL 7-4

Hackensack NJ 3/19/07-The Tiger Sharks backed up their "rough, tumble and finesse" season by defeating arch rivals the Hoboken Rockets on Monday night 7-4 to capture the franchise's first ever league championship.

As always, the Sharks were led by league leading point getter John Banks. Banks had the team's first goal enroute to a stellar evening that saw him set up Steve Kolar on a beauty in front of the net and score a huge breakaway with the Sharks down 2 men in a 5-on-3 penalty kill. For the night, Banks had a hat trick and the aforementioned assist. Kolar also had a big night with a goal and 2 assists. Mark David, Joe Fasanella and Radek "Brandon" Nemeth also scored for the Tiger Sharks.

Trailing 2-1 at the end of the first frame, the Sharks took command in the second stanza. An offensive onslaught saw the Tiger Sharks net 5 unanswered goals to take a 6-2 lead after two. The Sharks added a late third period insurance goal to seal the victory.

The Sharks took 5 penalties in the game. However, the 4 man defensive squad was equal to the task. Led by Lou Messina, Sean Jennings, George Johnson and Kevin Vas, they shut down the Rockets and, after a few odd man rushes early, gave up very few good scoring chances the rest of the way.

Frank Fuchs was on his game in net and made huge saves when it appeared Hoboken might climb back into the contest. Fuchs, who joined the team after their second game, was instrumental in helping the Tiger Sharks realize their incredible season.

The Tiger Sharks will be back on the ice April 9th as the always competitive Spring Season kicks off at the Ice House. The Sharks are excited to defend their title and hope to repeat as league champions.