West Essex-Caldwell (7-11, 4-5) hopes to make noise in the McInnis Cup. Coach Marc Gregory’s Knights, who dropped a narrow 3-2 decision to rival Livingston on Jan. 27, are led by junior forward Cale White (18 goals, 7 assists).
Verona-Glen Ridge (6-8-1, 4-6-1) has struggled at times during the Kelly Division season, but coach Ken Lilien’s squad is still quite capable with players such as senior forward Gavin Farrell (11 goals, 8 assists) and a pair of standout goaltenders in junior Jackson Sochnick (.838 save percentage) and freshman Jack Hughes (.919).
Nutley-Bloomfield-Columbia (6-10-1, 3-5) is another Kelly Division team hoping to raise its game in the playoffs behind dangerous senior forward Angelo Albanese (17 goals, 23 assists).
NJIHL 2026 Cup Dates:
Cup playoff seeding meeting: Friday, Feb. 6
Quarterfinals: by Tuesday, Feb. 10; semifinals: by Thursday, Feb. 12
(Also, note: Gordon semis must be completed by Feb. 12)
Finals, all at Codey Arena:
Tuesday, Feb. 17: McMullen 5:30 p.m.; Kelly, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 18: McInnis, 5:30 p.m.; Gordon, 8 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 19:., Cohen, 4:30 p.m.; Librera, 6 p.m.; Annis, 7:30 p.m
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