There has been one word used among Kinnelon Jefferson Sparta hockey players to describe winning the Public Co-Op Final: surreal. 

After a win against West Milford/Pequannock/Pompton Lakes in the sectional finals, KJS United was sent to the Public Co-Op final against Marlboro/Holmdel at the Prudential Center on Mar. 10. At the Prudential Center, KJS put up a fight and followed through with a 4-3 win. The fans of KJS hockey got to see KJS’s incredible run but might not know the journey this team took to earn the win.

Since 2008, Kinnelon ice hockey has not reached a state final game. This year, a special group of players made it happen. Since 2020, the KJS hockey team has been comprised of three towns: Kinnelon, Jefferson, and Sparta. Various talented players experienced winning big and formed special bonds. KHS Sophomore on KJS, Matt Stack, says, “It was hard playing with Jefferson and Sparta because we did not know each other, but we played together as a team and created a bond.” 

At the Prudential Center, fans of KJS from Kinnelon, Jefferson, and Sparta were gathered in red, white, and blue to watch the Public Co-Op final against Marlboro. By the start of the third period, the score was 2-1 Marlboro. KJS was putting up a fight with Marlboro. Miraculously, KJS scored three more times to finish the game 4-3 KJS United. The game concluded with Sophomore Braydon Sisco leading with 2 goals. KJS fans were up in arms with excitement and stood in the arena to watch the celebration.

KJS United 4 Marlboro-Holmdel 3 | Co-Op State Championship | Braydon Sisco 2 Goals!

Public Co-Op Finals KJS United versus Marlboro-Holmdel Game Highlights. Video by Jersey Sports Zone.

Dedication was a huge component of winning. Every KJS player played to their best ability on the ice. Team Captain Cormac Gibbons was just one of the dedicated KJS players. Gibbons shares what receiving this leadership award felt like. “It was an honor. I was so excited when I was named captain because I knew what a big role I would need to play for the team, and I played that role to the best of my ability.”

KJS was always eager to reach the finals. Stack says, “At the beginning of the season, the main goal was to get to the Prudential Center. We just worked our way up there.” Winning such a big title as a team is a surreal experience that all KJS players shared. Stack can also admit, “Winning was unreal.”

During the season, KJS hit a plateau. KJS had lost five games in a row and fell to a record of 8-6-1. Shortly after, KJS entered the playoffs, made it to the finals, and won. So what happened that turned around the team? Gibbons says, “I think the main thing was that we started to get most of our team back together. We had a lot of injuries throughout the season, and getting those guys back helped a lot with skill and morale.”

Many aspects led the path to the finals for KJS. But the ability to bond with each other on and off the ice played one of the biggest parts in winning. KHS Freshman on KJS, Tawana Tsuro, says, “The team became more like a family.” Gibbons says, “Because of being around other towns, friendships were bound to develop, and they did. Being from different towns didn’t change that.”