Hockey teams around the state punch their tickets to the semifinal round. Stay tuned as we bring you highlights from an upset in Essex County and two crosstown rivals meeting in the playoffs!

Pascack Regional 5 West Essex 2 | Public “C” Quarterfinal

For the first time in program history, Pascack Regional is headed to the state semifinals. Two goals from Erik Wrynn and a 38-save performance from Aidan Rybacki highlighted the night for seventh-seeded Pascack (17-6-1) in an upset win. Brothers Zach and Austin Groves each scored, as did Kevin McNamara from the blue line in the first period. West Essex (15-7-2) was the second seed in this bracket and sees their season come to a close. Pascack Regional advances to face Woodbridge Township (Colonia-Woodbridge-JFK Iselin) on Wednesday night at Mennen Sports Arena in the Public “C” semifinals.

JSZ’s Jay Cook has the highlights from Codey Arena in West Orange:

Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of West Essex is brought to you by Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.

Middletown North 5 Middletown South 1 | Public “B” Quarterfinals

Jimmy Mullarney and Ryan Cook scored two goals each to pace Middletown North to a second straight win over their archrival to punch their ticket to the Public “B” state semifinals for a second straight year.  Cook and Mullarney scored in the first to put the Lions in front 2-0 midway through the first period.  The Eagles cut the deficit to 2-1 on a goal by Thomas Villano.  But the Lions controlled the second with Cook and Mullarney once again lighting the lamp and Thomas Baron delivering the exclamation point in the third period.  Middletown North will face Ramapo on Wednesday looking to reach the Prudential Center and the state championship for the third time in school history.

JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has the highlights from Middletown:

Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Middletown North and Middletown South is brought to you by Monmouth Medical Center