WW-P South faces WW-PN for first of three meetings
By: Justin Feil
When Andrew Shaparin was an underclassmen, he was the kind of role player who sent the puck onto the right West Windsor-Plainsboro High South players’ sticks. He learned to use his speed and made good enough passes to be recognized for a role much larger than his stature.
Shaparin is a senior now for the Pirates, and though not a captain by title, has a lead role. He’s a star on a team that he says "doesn’t have any superstars."
"Over the years," said Pirate head coach Brian McGurney, "his game overall hasn’t changed. He’s always been an offensive threat. ‘Mini’ is still Mini. He grew a little bit and his role is a little bigger. It wasn’t that long ago when he was looking to raise the level of play to his linemates. Now, his linemates are working to play with him."
Shaparin and the Pirates know they’ll need to be at a high level when they face off against West Windsor-Plainsboro High North 6 p.m. Wednesday at Mercer County Park in the first round of the Mercer County Tournament. It’s the first of three meetings between the rival sister schools, who will also play regular-season games Feb. 2 and Feb. 11. At the moment, the first one has plenty at stake.
"One of us will get eliminated," Shaparin said. "It’s my senior year and it’s a big rivalry. We’re going to play them three times, and this one’s going to set the tone."
Both teams have had their recent struggles. North last week dropped a 6-0 game to West Essex on Monday, then lost a 3-2 decision to state powerhouse Morris Knolls on Friday, then had to come back the next day, when they lost the Titans Cup semifinal to Hopewell Valley, 5-2, Saturday. The Knights are 1-5-1 in their last seven games. WW-P North sits at 5-7-1 with six games until the Feb. 14 cut-off to be .500 for state tournament qualifying.
South, lost, 4-1, to Randolph last Monday and 4-2 to Morris Knolls on Wednesday to fall to 6-7 with five games left before Feb. 14. Three of them are against the Knights.
"It really makes no difference what either of us are," said McGurney, whose squad has lost six straight to dip under .500. "We could be 0-20 and they could be 20-0. It’s whoever wants it more. Whoever’s going to work for it harder is going to take it."
Shaparin doesn’t expect any problems getting inspired to play his best hockey. On top of it being a rivalry game, and the start of the MCT, it’s his final chance.
"It’s a big part of the season," Shaparin said of the MCT. "For the seniors, it’s almost over for us. We want to play more games. It’s a big thing for me. I’m going to miss it a lot next year. I’m really going to miss the guys. We have a good core."
Building up the youth of that core has been Shaparin’s focus this season, as his role has increased to its greatest.
"I didn’t play a lot my freshman year," he noted. "Over the years, I’ve played more and more. Now I want to help the other guys. I’m not a captain, and hopefully they’ll lead too, but I’m trying to help, especially the freshmen. I want them to know what to do. We sort of lead by example."
The young Pirates can watch how Shaparin and the other veterans react now, in what looks to be as tight a year for making the state tournament as any. Wednesday is just a start.
"It is the toughest moment," Shaparin said. "There is pressure on the seniors. If we don’t win three out of five, our season is over. We play North three times and we’re trying to set the tempo for the next two games. It’s our rivalry. I think it’s our most important game this season. We’re not going to quit until the final buzzer sounds."
The Wednesday meeting should be a good one, not only because of the rivalry, but because the teams appear to be so evenly matches.
"We have a stronger group at forward," Shaparin said. "But they have a lot stronger defense. We just have to have fun and play."
The Pirates are playing with a little different look these days after McGurney took steps to snap the recent funk. He’s switched up the lines breaking apart top scorers Jeff Katz and Shaparin who share the team lead with 21 points apiece.
"Everyone knows Mini now," McGurney said. "We have played some games where people have shadowed him. People focus on Mini more. We knew what he was capable of before. It took them a little longer, but now teams are focused on shutting him down."
It worked to frustrate Shaparin some in the early going, but the changes seem to have helped. By adjusting the lines, it forces opponent to figure out which line with which to match their top defensive lines. The South players seem to have responded well.
"Mini just played his best game in a couple years, with Morris Knolls," McGurney said. "He’s starting to come around. He’s got the potential to take down some teams himself. I think once Mini realizes that this is it for him, once that thought sets in his head, he’s going to take off."
Taking off for Shaparin means just as many assists as goals, and that bodes well for new linemates Benji Fan and Jason Lee.
"I’m more like a playmaker," Shaparin said. "I have a lot of assists. Scoring is good, but I’d rather have an assist and give them the glory to them. I’m trying to create more opportunities for my linemates and teammates."
It’s a job description not much different from when he first broke into the regular lineup, but it’s an important role in North’s offensive production and setting the tone for how his senior year will end. The Pirates are hoping that day comes deep in the state tournament, something that can’t happen unless they end their losing streak.
"In the long run, if we end up making states, you have to find the positives of it," McGurney said of the losing streak. "What was more frustrating to me, we have some talent on this team, but we just weren’t clicking. They’ve realized what they need to do. It’s an uphill battle from here, but I’d like to believe we’ll still be in the state tournament."
Those chances depend in part on how the WW-P South ice hockey team fares against the Knights in their next three meetings, and the one to set the tone comes Wednesday.