Jagaloons Win Garden State Title in Three, Earn First-Ever PIHA Finals Trip

The PIHA Minor Garden State Division Final delivered three tight, emotional games—and ended with a breakthrough moment for the NJ Jagaloons.

After dropping a heartbreaker in overtime in Game 1, the Jagaloons responded with back-to-back wins in Games 2 and 3 to take the series 2–1, denying the Trash Pandas—the 2023–24 Minor Division Champions—a return trip to the PIHA Finals. In just their second season, the Jagaloons are now headed to the Finals for the first time in franchise history.

Game 1: Trash Pandas 3, NJ Jagaloons 2 (OT)

The series opened with playoff tension right from the start. The teams traded punches through regulation, and the defending champions found the extra finish they needed in overtime to steal Game 1 and seize early control of the set.
Gamesheet: https://stats.api.digitalshift.ca/gamesheet/3gd6DZ

Game 2: NJ Jagaloons 6, Trash Pandas 4

Facing a must-win situation, NJ answered with their best offensive effort of the series. The Jagaloons pushed the pace, generated consistent chances, and finished at a high rate to even the series at 1–1, forcing a winner-take-all Game 3.
Gamesheet: https://stats.api.digitalshift.ca/gamesheet/lfozFO

Game 3: NJ Jagaloons 3, Trash Pandas 0

With a Finals berth on the line, the Jagaloons delivered a complete closeout performance—structured defense, timely scoring, and a shutout to end the reign of the champions and secure the Garden State crown.
Gamesheet: https://stats.api.digitalshift.ca/gamesheet/WceEqC

What It Means

The Jagaloons didn’t just win a division—they announced themselves. To rebound from an overtime loss, then take two straight from the reigning champs (including a shutout in the clincher) is the kind of run that travels.

NJ is Finals-bound for the first time ever, and they’ll head to the PIHA Finals with momentum—while the Trash Pandas’ title defense ends one step short of a return to the national stage.