By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
The Princeton Day School boys’ ice hockey team is off to a strong start, and Monroe Township resident Mike Darrar is a big reason.
Playing on the Panthers top line, which also includes Cranbury’s Clint O’Brien, Darrar recently helped PDS to the championship of it’s invitational tournament.
”I think finally we started to gel as a team,” said Darrar after the Panthers won their invitational. “My line did really well (in the championship game). I think it’s one of the best games we played. Either today or yesterday was (PDS’ best of the season).”
It was hard to figure which win was more impressive. The Panthers put together an 8-3 win over Landon in which two of Darrar’s linemates — O’Brien and John Inman — along with Spencer Gabin had two goals apiece. They followed it up with a 2-0 win over highly regarded La Salle.
”I was excited to come in this year and try to prove everyone wrong,” Darrar said. “Everyone thought we wouldn’t be that strong. We had a little slow start, but we’re getting better each game.”
With the win, the Panthers had the pleasure of presenting the invitational trophy before a school assembly. Expectations are moving forward and Darrar’s presence has lifted PDS. The junior wing steadily has climbed the ladder for the Panthers and is now on the high-flying first line that has carried the weight of heavy expectations.
”It’s a 45-minute game,” Bertoli said. “They play 30, maybe 32 minutes. That’s tough.”
Said Darrar: “We’re in pretty good shape. Clint played football. John plays on another hockey team. I play on another team. We’re in good shape. Who’s going to complain about ice time? I like it.”
Darrar wasn’t always a first-line guy. He spent time behind the top scorers in the past before becoming one this season. He has fit in well with O’Brien and Inman. O’Brien does much of the dirty work in the corners while Darrar and Inman look to create and finish.
”In my first two years, I was always on the defensive line,” Darrar said. “I’ve been there doing that for a couple years. Freshman year, I was on the third line. Last year, I was on the second line. We were always against the top line of the other team. I like playing both.”
