WW-P North outlook is sunny

Hockey team has more depth than ever before

By: Bob Nuse
   HAMILTON — The West Windsor-Plainsboro North ice hockey team has found itself a nice barometer for its progress. Whenever the Knights need to know what kind of progress they’re making, all they need to do is play a game against Morris Knolls.
   "We started off with them last year and it was our first big out-of-conference game," recalled Knights’ senior Shawn Collins. "We tied them, 3-3, and I think that started to get us noticed a little around the state. Then we played them in the state tournament and it was a great game that we won. I think we’re starting to develop a little rivalry with them."
   That rivalry was renewed last Thursday at Ice Land, where the Knights posted an impressive 6-3 win over the visitors from Morris County. With the win, WW-P North improved to 6-1-1 and found out a thing or two about itself in the process.
   "I think we proved to ourselves and everybody else that we are a good team," said North coach Tim Grable, whose team was scheduled to face Lawrence on Monday. "Jimmy (Merrow) played outstanding in goal. There were a lot of bouncing pucks that didn’t go our way and he made the stops. Morris Knolls played hard. They’re a good team and we let them loose a few times and Jimmy bailed us out."
   The Knights scored three first-period goals to take control of the game, then held on with a strong defensive effort. The offense also got a boost from the addition of Ted Wilson, a transfer from Notre Dame who was playing in his first game for the Knights.
   Wilson scored a pair of goals in the win, while also giving the Knights something they’ve never had before.
   "This is the first time we’ve ever had three lines and we did it the whole game," Grable said. "Now with Ted Wilson, we have three lines that are all strong and that gives us depth like we’ve never had before. All three lines scored today, plus we were able to give guys breaks."
   Even though those breaks might mean a little less time on the ice for the players on what had been the first two lines, it will prove to be a benefit for the team in the long run.
   "This is our first time with three lines and it was great for us," said Collins, who registered his team-high ninth goal of the season in the win. "Everyone was fresh in the third period. It’s really for the team and all anyone wants is for the team to win. You definitely notice it, even in the second period. We just want to win and having three strong lines helps us have a better chance of winning."
   Grable knows that as well. And with the way the nine players on the three lines play, he knows his team will only get better.
   "I don’t look at it as us having a third line," Grable said. "I see it as us having two second lines and tonight they each scored. We’ve got a lot of depth on offense and our defense has been playing well. And what can you say about Jimmy? He played another great game tonight."
   The balance of the Knights’ offense was evident against Morris Knolls, as five different players accounted for the six goals. Wilson scored twice, while Collins, Dave Haas, Luke Shevlin and Danny Johnnidis added one goal apiece.
   "These are the games we need to win to step up and solidify our seeding for the state tournament," Grable said. "Last year we were No. 9 and we’re looking to be a little higher this year."
   A win over Morris Knolls should help in that regard. Last year the Golden Eagles were seeded one slot ahead of the Knights, who posted a 1-0 win on the road in the state tournament.
   "We looked at the rankings and we were third and they were fifth in the public schools," Collins said. "We know if we can win some of these games against the outside competition it will help us with our seed. We want to try to get some home games in the states."
   Wins like the one over Morris Knolls will help do that. And at this point, the Knights have a pretty good barometer on their progress.