There’s not much an opponent can do if either Sean Loebs or Nick Pappas is on fire.

Against Old Tappan it was a wonder that the two didn’t melt the ice with their blazing performances. The duo lit the lamp five times, with Loebs achieving hat trick honors.

But it was their unselfish play that pushed the visiting Tigers passed the Golden Knights 7-2 at Mackay Park.

"They have two skaters in Pappas and Loebs that are hard to defend and those two skaters are stronger than anyone on my team," said Old Tappan coach Donnie Quarles. "The two controlled the puck with speed and skill. We were mismatched."

Tenafly put pressure on the Golden Knight defense early and often. It was Pappas with the first goal, scoring at the 14:12 mark. The Tiger beat defenders, while using an array of dekes and finesse to get the puck passed goaltender Eric Phenix. The assists went to Kenny Shultz and Daniel Guglielmo.

"I lifted my leg up and faked him out," said Pappas. "We’re able to score because we do the little things right, like hit passes and fakes."

There was a lot of action around the Old Tappan net, as Tenafly coach Andy Escala screamed for the team to "screen the goalie." Phenix started out strong, doing a terrific job weathering each scoring storm to keep the home team in the game.

"Old Tappan has a solid goalie and he worked really hard tonight," said Pappas. "We were able to put stronger players out there on the ice."

Old Tappan sprayed some shots at Tiger goalie Matty Ceballos, but it was a lopsided scoring attack with Tenafly out-shooting the Golden Knights 25-5 in the first period.

The Golden Knights were able to orchestrate more offense, as the Tigers were called for interference with 2:19 to go. Eric Wright had a golden opportunity and was set up on a two-on-one, but Ceballos was able to stop the puck.

After shots were exchanged, Tenafly was on top in a close one, and at the end of the first period it was only 1-0.

Between periods Escala told his squad to "keep the pressure on" and "control the puck."

Loebs showed that he had listened intently, as he bulleted the puck top shelf at 13:23 with assists coming from Pappas and Schultz.

"We had more gas," said Andrew Lindstrom. "We have a three-game winning streak and tonight’s win will definitely add to the momentum."

Loebs almost immediately scored again, faking out defenders, but Phenix was in the zone between the pipes. The goalie did his best against steady doses of Loebs and Pappas by making lightening-quick glove saves.

With 8:20 left in the period, Pappas and Loebs clicked on a marvelous goal. Pappas skated around the goal and dished it off to an open Loebs, who lasered a shot passed Phenix’s stick side for the 3-0 lead. Schultz again was credited with the assist.

"Pappas wheeled out to make the perfect pass and I was able to get off a one-timer," said Loebs. "We run that play at practice when all players collapsed down low and I knew I needed to put the puck on net."

Pappas added another goal before the period ended with assists coming from Mike Schultz and Lindstrom.

"Pappas is a great player and he controls the game," said Escala. "He played next to perfect on defense, but also he was able to rush and set up other people.

"He’s unselfish."

The Tigers out-shot the Golden Knights 16-5 in the period and Tenafly had a secure hold on the game, leading 4-0.

"We were trying to move the puck to generate offense," said Kenny Schultz. "Coach told us in between periods that we had to finish and the score didn’t matter. We had to keep the shutout going."

Loebs completed the hat trick with 13:59 left in the period as he stole the puck and fired it through Phenix’s glove-side for a 5-0 advantage. Kenny Shultz and Kevin Kim earned the assists.

Old Tappan tried to engineer scoring attempts, but the Tenafly defense remained firm.

At the 8:29 mark, Lindstrom took the pressure off Loebs and Pappas by scoring a goal of his own. Pappas and Mike Schultz helped create traffic in front of the net.

"In practice coach (Escala) stresses setting ourselves in front of the net to screen the goalie," said Kenny Schultz.

Old Tappan finally broke through the Tiger defense, as Scott Lexine scored on a power-play goal at 1:35. Eric Wright and Kevin DeBartolo got the assists.

Towards the end of the game the two teams exchanged last-minute goals. Lexine scored again with assists going to Wright and Ryan Spagunolo.

Mike Schultz got his name on the score sheet with the assist compliments of Loebs to close out the scoring.

"Loebs played a good game and had a nice power-play goal," said Escala. "He also sets up other people, like on the last play he set up his freshman cousin for the goal."

With the win Tenafly has gained momentum heading into the playoffs and hopes that its two key players will step up once again.

"We’re clicking on all cylinders heading into the playoffs and everyone’s chipping in," said Kenny Schultz.

"This was a team win and everyone contributed to play good defense by limiting their passing lanes and cutting down on their shot attempts."