03/14/2026
The most memorable game in the past 10 years of State Championship hockey was GL-NPs win in 4 OTs.
No. 1 - 2023 Public C Final
Gov. Livingston-New Providence 5, Woodbridge-Colonia-Iselin Kennedy 4 - F/4OT
Prior to the start of the 2019-20 season, the NJSIAA amended its overtime rules for Cup final and state final games. Where once co-champions were crowned after one 15-minute sudden death overtime period, the new rule loosely followed the NHL’s playoff overtime format. The game doesn’t end until someone scores. In the first three tournaments under the new rule, two games went to overtime but none came close to threatening a second. This matchup in 2023 was one for the history books. Gov. Livingston-New Providence was in its second state final in a row and Woodbridge-Colonia-Iselin Kennedy was back for the first time since 2018 and looking for its first championship ring.
It was the Kolodney Cup champions drawing first and holding a 2-1 lead after the first period on goals from Hubert Polchlopek and Ryan Lukko. Polchlopek had an assist on Lukko’s goal, which brought him to 100 points on the season. Brian Kramer had a goal between them and tied the game, 2-2, 45 seconds into the second period. Later in the frame, Brendon Airel and Brandon Cuccaro scored eight seconds apart to send the game to the final regulation period tied, 3-3. Lukko, meanwhile, notched his 100th point of the season on Airel’s goal.
Anthony Labisi put Gov. Livingston-New Providence ahead for the first time but Patrick Rennie had the answer with 4:25 left in regulation. A 15-minute overtime period was in order. After Scott Capan and Hunter Galgani stood tall a second overtime was needed, then a third, then a fourth. The first overtime period was a full 15 minutes at 5-on-5. Ensuing overtimes were played at 4-on-4 for 7:30. Just 37 seconds into the seventh period of the game, Jeremy Siksnius scored the goal to lift Gov. Livingston-New Providence to its second consecutive state championship in what became the longest state championship game in New Jersey history. At the time, it was the second-longest game in state history until the five-overtime 2024 Kelly Cup final rose to the top of the list. It was Siksnius’ first goal of the season and he rode his stick in celebration through the neutral zone, honoring Tiger Williams’ famous celebration from the Vancouver Canucks in 1980. Galgani had 47 saves in the loss and Capan stopped 32 shots.
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