High School SportsPublished: Feb. 19, 2026, 11:13 p.m.
Nate Danyo (18) of Toms River East looks to shoot on net during the Winding River Holiday Tournament boys ice hockey game between Toms River and Manasquan-Point Beach at Winding River Skating Center in Toms River, NJ on 12/29/25.Scott Faytok | NJ Advance Media
Nate Danyo’s three goals and an assist helped fuel top-seeded Toms River East to an 8-0 victory over 16th-seeded Bayonne in the first round of the South Jersey, Public Co-Op Tournament at Winding River in Toms River.
John Schmitt had a goal and four assists for Toms River East (16-7-1), which took a 1-0 lead on Brady Verdon’s first period goal.
Verdon added three assists in the win and Jack DeCaprio had two goals with an assist. Matt Butch added a goal, Liam Magovern and Jake Letts each had two assists, and David Gawalis made eight saves for the shutout.
Toms River East will play the Gov. Livingston-Freehold Township winner in the quarterfinals.
Ilia Kamnev made 29 saves for Bayonne (8-13-2).
Jason Bernstein is in his 19th year of covering New Jersey high school sports, the last eight for NJ.com. I’m proud to have had my work recognized by the APSE, NJPA and in countless scrapbooks.