Below, check out some of the best matchups in New Jersey for the week of Monday, Dec. 15, to Sunday, Dec. 21.

Monday, Dec. 15

Morristown-Beard (3-0-1) at Princeton Day (1-2), 3:30

Morristown-Beard is getting its first chance this season at showing if it can compete with Gordon Conference teams. There’s no doubt the Crimson are incredibly talented, but beating teams out of New Jersey’s best conference will go a long way towards its hopes at competing for a state championship. A new-look Princeton Day lineup nearly beat Don Bosco Prep last week, and will look to keep improving against one of the toughest schedule’s in the state. The duo of Filip Kacmarsky and Fred Ringblom have been excellent so far.

Hunterdon Central (3-0) at Rumson-Fair Haven (1-3), 8:30

Rumson-Fair Haven has opened up with a tough slate so far, as three of its first four games have come up red-hot Shore teams. The Bulldogs are talented but its youth has shown early on, yet at the same time this is a team that could figure it out sooner rather than later. Hunterdon Central has, so far, turned things around after being down last season. The Red Devils are undefeated through the first two weeks.

Westfield (2-0) at Gov. Livingston-New Providence (0-1), 8:35

The best rivalry in Union County resumes on Monday night. On paper, Westfield looks every bit like a defending state champion that is ready to make another run towards the Prudential Center. The Blue Devils crushed West Essex-Caldwell and Livingston in its first two games with 14 goals scored and just one against. Gov. Livingston-New Providence has a tough schedule this week, but the Highlanders are surely looking to build up towards a Co-op state championship run. A win here would give the Highlanders a major shot of confidence going forward, and bragging rights with the another regular season matchup and two tournaments still left to be played.

Tuesday, Dec. 16

Toms River (4-0) at Howell-Matawan (3-2), 4:15

Toms River has come out swinging to open the 2025-26 season. The Raiders came in with high expectations of being one of the Co-op group’s best teams and have delivered so far with four wins in four games. Seven players have already scored at least one goal, and David Gawalis has been excellent in net. Howell-Matawan is another Shore co-op team that most people thought would be very good. The Rebels gave Christian Brothers a solid fight in a loss, and then rebounded with wins over St. John Vianney and South-North Brunswick-Monroe. There’s a lot of offensive firepower on this team with already 19 goals in five games.

St. Augustine (2-0) at Delbarton (3-0), 4:40

The last two Non-Public state champions will do battle for the first time this season on Tuesday afternoon. Both sides have gotten off to terrific starts. Delbarton has backed up its No. 1 ranking with three wins over LaSalle (PA), Princeton Day, and Northern Highlands, while St. Augustine upset Don Bosco Prep and then thoroughly handled out-of-state opponent Holy Ghost Prep (PA).

Middletown North (3-1) at Middletown South (3-0), 5:15

One of the best rivalries in New Jersey high school hockey, and arguably the best one amongst Public schools, will take place this week. Arch rivals Middletown North and Middletown South have both looked great through the first two weeks and look like Shore Conference title contenders. The Lions started out 3-0, but just suffered its first look on Thursday night. Getting back in the win column against a hated rival should make the sore feelings of that loss go away. The Eagles overpowered its way to three wins last week, scoring 23 goals. This will be its toughest game of the early part of the season though.

Wednesday, Dec. 17

Bergen Catholic (2-1) at Randolph (1-1-1), 5:45

For the first time since 2012 Bergen Catholic and Randolph are facing off. It’s a big year for the Crusaders, which spent last season rebuilding in the first season of the Dean Portas era as head coach. Things are already off to a better start this year after a nice win over Gloucester Catholic to close last week out, but there’s still work to be done to prove it can compete for trophies in the Gordon Conference. For a second straight season Randolph will be looking to beat a Gordon Conference teams. The Rams and Rich McLaughlin are a known commodity, and are trending up after a tie with Morristown-Beard. The Crusaders won’t be taking the Rams lightly.

Paul VI (5-0) at Red Bank Catholic-Donovan Catholic-St. Rose (2-0-1), 8:30

There isn’t a team playing better hockey out of the CVC right now than Paul VI. The Eagles are undefeated and are coming off three straight blowout, shutout victories over Lawrence-Ewing-Hightstown, Steinert, and West Winsor-Plainsboro United. The Red Bank Catholic tri-op should offer up a different challenge though. The Casey’s have put together an impressive early season resume with wins over Marlboro-Holmdel and Middletown North. Logan Josko has been terrific with four goals.

Thursday, Dec. 18

St. Joseph (Mont.) (1-1) at Princeton Day (1-2), 3:45

The tough early season slate continues for Princeton Day, but that’s to be expected when you play in American division of the Gordon Conference. The Panthers will also be going up against Christian Brothers on Wednesday afternoon. This is a new look schedule though for St. Joseph (Mont.), which made the jump up to the American division after winning the National last season. The Green Knights put up a great fight against Don Bosco Prep and the defeated Xavier (NY). Its next three games will mean a lot in the standings – Delbarton, Princeton Day, and Christian Brothers.

Marlboro-Holmdel (1-3) at Middletown North (3-1), 5

Last season’s Co-op group runner up, against a historically great Shore Conference team. Marlboro-Holmdel is looking to bounce back after a tough start through the first two weeks. The Mustangs have an opportunity to gain a lot of moment quickly with two out of its next three games against Middletown North and Toms River. After taking a loss to end last week, the Lions have a big week ahead with three good opponents.

Chatham (1-1) at Livingston (3-1), 6

Chatham and Livingston have two very similar resumes so far, albeit that the season is still very young. The Cougars took a close loss to Morristown-Beard, and then handled its business against Mendham for its first win in the Mennen division this season. Livingston is out to a strong start in the McInnis division with wins over West Essex-Caldell, Gov. Livingston-New Providence, and Cranford, but also lost a big game to Westfield. There’s a lot to like about both teams, which remain as contenders in its respective leagues but will need to do work to take down the first-place squads.

Friday, Dec. 19

Gov. Livingston-New Providence (0-1) at Middletown North (3-1), 4

What will Middletown North’s record look like by the time Friday rolls around? The Lions could be sitting at .500, or be 5-1, or have a couple of ties mixed in as well. The same question remains for Gov. Livingston-New Providence. The Highlanders could still be searching for its first win several days from now, or it could be one of the hottest teams in the state with multiple wins against Top-20 competition. Only time will tell for both sides, and this game is just as big as its previous ones this week.

Ridge (3-1) at North Hunterdon-Voorhees (3-1-1), 8:15

By the looks of how things stand right now, the second place spot in the Skyland Conference is up for grabs. Ridge and North Hunterdon-Voorhees look like two teams that could be contending for a spot in the Skyland Cup final later on this season. The Red Devils already have an early season win over the Lions under its belt, and then thoroughly handled Pingry and Hillsborough before falling to Toms River. The Lions actually beat conference favorite Bridgewater-Raritan back on Dec. 5, and played in the final last season, but will be looking for some revenge on Ridge on Friday night.

Saturday, Dec. 20

Morristown-Beard (3-0-1) at Randolph (1-1-1), 4:15

After what happened the last time these two played, everyone should have this rematch circled on their calendars. The Crimson and Rams tied 1-1 last Thursday afternoon. Both goals came in the final 2:32 of regulation, and both goalies played great. This could very easily be a preview of the Mennen Cup final in late-February.

Frisch (3-0) at Glen Rock (2-0-1), 7

In a Kelly division race this is always wide open, Frisch and Glen Rock look like two contenders for the division championship. Frisch brought back a ton of senior experience that has been playing at a high level for several seasons, and the only thing missing from its resume is a division championship. An undefeated start goes to show that this team can make a run. Glen Rock has, so far, bounced back nicely after winning just five games last season. The Panthers defense has shined with just three goals against through three games, and no losses so far as well.

Sunday, Dec. 21

West Morris (3-0) at Verona-Glen Ridge (2-1), 3

This game will pit one of the Halvorsen division’s highest scoring teams against one of the best goalies in New Jersey. West Morris is not only 3-0, but the Wolfpack have scored 14 goals in those three games. Three players – Rhone Armijo, Gavin Cascarelli, and Tyler Hill – have all scored at least three goals. Verona-Glen Ridge was on a roll with two dominant wins over Watchung Hills and Manalapan, but recently took a loss to reigning Kelly Cup champion Scotch Plains-Fanwood. Jackson Soshnick could be back in goal for the Hillbillies. In his only game so far this season on Dec. 8 he racked up a .958 save percentage.

Summit (1-1) at Ridge (3-1), 5:45

These are two very competitive programs that have not been in state championship contention the last two seasons. At what point will Summit and Ridge get back there? Ridge has gotten off to a very nice start, but will need to remain hot if it wants to break into the contender status. Summit has played just two games, and its schedule increases in difficulty this week. The Hilltoppers will need to take down some tough teams if it also wants to return to the conversation as a championship contender, even in Union County and the McInnis division.