Late explosion propels HoVal past Hightstown

Hopewell Valley ice hockey

By: Mike Molaro
   Emotions play a huge part in sports.
   Regardless of the level, the mental aspect of a game many times is more important than physical ability. A true measure of a team is how well it reacts when it’s not playing up to its full potential.
   The Hopewell Valley Central High School boys ice hockey squad faced such a situation after a scoreless first period against Hightstown on Jan. 19 at Mercer County Park.
   Going against a team they admittedly should defeat, the Bulldogs (10-4 overall, 8-1 in the Colonial Valley Conference) got it together over the final two periods and ran their winning streak to five with a 5-1 triumph keyed by a four-goal third period.
   "We underestimated them and their ability," HoVal coach Rob Siris said. "Were we still thinking about the 6-0 win over Princeton (on Jan. 14)? Maybe. Whatever the reason, we took them (the Rams) for granted.
   "We came out slow, sluggish and with no intensity. We picked it up in the second period. One thing I was disappointed in was that we took 11 penalties in the game. Being able to score five goals despite being shorthanded for 22 minutes tells me something about this team."
   Junior forward Alex Laughlin led the way with two goals and an assist, sophomore forward Eric Doran added two goals, and sophomore defenseman Tom Kawalec had a goal. Freshman defenseman Drew Scannella, senior defenseman Gregg Amato and senior forward Jeff Karpiscak each contributed a goal.
   Senior goalie Bryan Driver made 17 saves and lost his bid for HoVal’s fifth shutout of the season when the Rams scored with 10 seconds remaining.
   Despite starting slowly, the Bulldogs left their lethargy in the locker room after the first period and played the final two periods like the team that earned the second seed and a first-round bye in the upcoming Mercer County Tournament.
   "The first period was one of the worst we played all year," Siris said. "We regrouped after the second period and scored those four goals in the third period.
   "We play better against faster teams because we are able to use our speed. Hightstown has a couple of quick skaters, but overall they are not a fast team."
   While offense gains the headlines, defense wins championships. The Bulldogs have tightened the screws and are not allowing opponents many opportunities to score.
   "We have given up just six goals in our last five games," Siris said. "The guys know that when you get into the county and state tournaments and the Titan Cup, defense is going to win the games."
   Notre Dame, which gave HoVal its only CVC defeat, received the top seed in the MCT, with Princeton third and Steinert fourth. The Bulldogs face the Ewing-West Windsor-Plainsboro North winner on Feb. 22.
   HoVal defends its Titans Cup championship when it takes on Steinert on Feb. 2. Action begins on Jan. 28 with Notre Dame facing WWP-South. The Titan Cup finals are set for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 5, at the Sovereign Bank Arena.
   Although the Bulldogs skate against the Spartans at 4 p.m. tomorrow at Mercer County Park, they aren’t concerned about facing the same opponent twice within five days.
   "We will come out intense on Feb. 2, because we want to defend the Cup," Siris said. "I have no doubt about that."
• NOTES: HoVal had to leave the early part of this week open for a possible first-round MCT contest, leaving nine days between games. Siris was trying to schedule a game prior to tomorrow’s action against Steinert.