New Jersey Challenge sees plenty of late-game heroics
The 16U Tier 1 teams from the North Jersey Avalanche and New Jersey Rockets squared off five times in nine days, concluding on Nov. 29th, in what has been dubbed the “New Jersey Challenge.” Both teams checked in among the Top 15 teams in the world at the 2004-birth year in our latest rankings, and this premier series matchup did not disappoint.
16’s win the NJ Challenge cup 4 games to 1 over NJ Rockets! #avsfamily pic.twitter.com/5ASbVPYBTW
— North Jersey Avs (@NJ_Avalanche) December 1, 2020
The first two games were an even split. The No. 7-ranked Avs took Game 1 at Bridgetown Sports Arena 4-3 in overtime. The following day, No. 11-ranked Rockets returned the favor in Game 2 by way of a 2-1 win via shootout.
After a four-day break over the Thanksgiving holiday, the teams picked up right where they left off, skating to not one, not two but three more games decided in overtime or shootout, all going in favor of the Avalanche.
This five-game series between two of the top ’04 teams on the planet did not disappoint. Every game decided by one goal, every game decided in overtime or a shootout. Be sure to check out both of these squads, and the rest of the Top 25 teams in the world HERE.
