Foster has Princeton breathing easier

Senior captain paces Tigers’ first win over Notre Dame in 11 years

By: Rich Fisher
   Peter Foster finally got to exhale.
   As a freshman, the Cranbury resident was a member of the Princeton High ice hockey team that lost to Notre Dame on a controversial goal in the Mercer County Tournament.
   It was typical, as the Irish always beat the Little Tigers. Be it a blowout or a close game, ND had Princeton’s number.
   But on Monday, Foster helped chase away the ghosts of Irish past, scoring three goals to lead the PHS to a 5-3 victory over Notre Dame. It was the Little Tigers first win over the Irish in 11 years, and the first win ever for coach Paul Merrow over Notre Dame.
   "We hadn’t beaten them in a long time, and it can get aggravating after a while, very frustrating," said Foster, a senior and the team’s captain. "We finally got them back, so that compensates for things a little bit. After we lost to them in OT, it was like three years of holding your breath, then finally getting to release it."
   The victory raised Princeton’s record to 5-4-1 overall and 3-3-1 in the Colonial Valley Conference. Considering the Little Tigers played (and lost to) CVC powers West Windsor-North, Hopewell Valley and Hightstown in December, with a lineup ravaged by injuries, coach Paul Merrow is happy where his team stood entering Wednesday’s game with Lawrence.
   "We’re better than I expected, record-wise," Merrow said. "We have been improving each game. This team doesn’t quit, it keeps playing hard the whole game.
   "We had some five, six, seven minute lapses in some games that cost us earlier in the season. But we put a complete game together with the win against Notre Dame."
   Merrow changed his tune slightly after a 6-6 tie with Lawrence Wednesday, during which Foster had a goal and two assists. But for the most part, the 5-4-2 Tigers are still in a good position as the season heats up.
   Part of the reason Princeton remained competitive was the willingness of Foster to move from forward to defense. Due to injuries, the Tigers backline corps was thin. Despite being Princeton’s third leading scorer last season with 9 goals and 20 assists, Foster offered to play in front of his goalie.
   "He actually volunteered to move back before we decided to move him," Merrow said. "We did it with the idea that once we got our injured defensemen back, we could move him up again.
   "We got one back on Monday and were able to move Pete up with Jason Diamond and Matt Leuck, which was last year’s first line. He ended up scoring the tying and winning goal against Notre Dame."
   "It was an adjustment playing defense," said Foster, who usually plays a wing. "It’s a different mentality. I’ve always had that forward mentality. It’s especially tough when it’s that 30-second transition period. You’re playing forward one shift, then he puts you back on defense. It’s a serious adjustment. You have to get into that defensive frame of mind."
   Despite his apprehensions, Foster held his own.
   "He did fine," Merrow said. "Now that we’re getting our injured guys back, we can move him up, but we’ll still play him on defense every now and then. He hasn’t totally escaped it yet. We’re still waiting for (defenseman) Andrew Mahon to get enough practices in so he can play."
   No matter how well Foster did on defense, Merrow realizes he is an offensive force. So far this year, Foster has five goals and three assists, but since moving back up to wing he has four goals and two assists in two games.
   "He has good skills, he’s a natural forward and he works hard," Merrow said. "He has a hunger around the net. He hasn’t had a chance to produce offensively at this point, but as a senior captain we’re expecting good leadership from him and we’re also expecting him to produce offensively.
   "The one thing he has to do more of is shoot the puck. Peter likes to take it to the front of the net, as opposed to being 10 to 15 feet out and letting it go, then going for his rebound. You run out of room to shoot when you get too close to the net."
   Aside from needing to put the puck in the net, Foster realizes he has more leadership responsibility this year as team captain. Like Merrow, he likes where the Tigers are right now.
   "Now that we’re getting our guys back, we’re starting to see where we stand," Foster said. "The first month was a real test. We played the three best teams in the CVC and we played South Brunswick (which is 9-1).
   "We came into the season with a positive attitude, we thought we had a shot to do well. And now, we know where we stand. We’re one of the better teams in the league. We’re obviously not the best, but we’re getting there. Our goal is to get into the state tournament, and do the best we can in the Mercer County Tournament."
   And if they happen to run into ND along the way, they no longer have to hold their breath waiting for something bad to happen.
   The jinx has been broken, and Foster is wearing the hat (trick) to prove it.
* * *
   Freshman Justin Faulkner is also from Cranbury and, like his in-town teammate, is a forward playing defense. Faulkner is taking regular shifts defensively.
   "He’ll probably stay back there for a while," Merrow said. "But he’s been doing a good job for us."