Ice Hockey: 2025 North Jersey, Public Co-Op sectional semifinal previews

The puck is set to drop on the semifinal round of the 2025 NJSIAA sectional tournaments on Monday. Eight teams will keep their dream of reaching Prudential Center alive and punch a ticket to Thursday’s sectional finals and eight will be going home. Our writers have taken a dive into every bracket and are previewing all eight matchups. Check out our preview of the North Jersey, Public Co-Op sectional semifinals below. 8-KJS United (12-8-2) vs. 4-West Essex-Caldwell (15-10-1) Monday, 4pm, Codey Arena KJS United has had the second-most prolific offense in this bracket so far with 13 goals across wins over 9-Hoboken-Weehawken-Secaucus and 1-Pascack Valley-Hills-Park Ridge. The defense has also played its role, allowing just three goals. This was as far as this team got a year ago before bowing out to the eventual state champ, Morris Knolls-Hills. A win sends the team to its first state semifinal appearance since 2013. A storyline to watch will be the health of Braydon Sisco, who was shaken up in the quarterfinal victory over the top-seeded Pascack tri-op. The sophomore’s been brilliant with six of his team’s tournament goals so far and 39 overall. Brian Sisti has been locked in between the pipes and stopped 61 of 64 shots in those three games. He’s given up two or fewer goals in five of his last six games. Boys Hockey: Tenafly-Cresskill-Leonia vs West Essex-Caldwell on February 24, 2025 West Essex-Caldwell players celebrate after winning the boys North Jersey, Public Co-Op, first round hockey game in overtime against Tenafly-Cresskill-Leonia at Codey Arena in West Orange, NJ on Monday, February 24, 2025John Jones | For NJ Advance Media West Essex-Caldwell, meanwhile, posted a pair of 3-2 wins over 13-Tenafly-Cresskill-Leonia, in overtime, and 12th-seeded Park Regional. There will be a chip on this team’s shoulder as it was KJS United who knocked it out of the state tournament in last year’s sectional quarterfinal. It’s the second time in three years that West Essex-Caldwell has reached the state quarterfinals. Patrick Devaney has been a force all season long and it’s continued in tournament play. He buried the game-winner in overtime against the Tenafly tri-op and added two points in the next game against Park Regional. He hit 30 goals for the first time in his career thanks to a tally in that matchup. Evan Zieminski has a .930 save percentage in tournament play to this point. He’s been very good in the crease as well and has allowed more than two goals just twice in his last eight appearances. Hugel’s Pick: West Essex-Caldwell Bobal’s Pick: KJS United

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ICE HOCKEY: 2025 NORTH JERSEY, PUBLIC CO-OP SECTIONAL SEMIFINAL PREVIEWS

BRIAN BOBAL AND DONOVAN HUGEL

Nj.com | 3/2/2025

PHOTO CREDIT: West Essex Athletics