It’s nine games into the season and only three victories to show for it from the two high school ice hockey teams in Brick.
But neither Brick Memorial coach Chip Bruce, whose team reached the NJSIAA Public School Tournament semifinals, nor Brick Township coach Bob Auriemma betrayed any sense of panic.
Not even any sense of deep concern.
“I told them there’s no reason to panic. We’re fine,” said Bruce, whose team looked to even its 2-3 record on Monday this week against Monsignor Donovan. “I’m happy that we have control of the game while we’re playing. Our forechecking is solid. Our defense is good.”
And the Mustangs’ morale is up, even after dropping their last game in the final seven seconds to Monsignor Donovan, 2-1. Prior to that was a 3-1 loss to Jefferson. Even with a slow start of late after opening the season with an 8-2 victory over Howell and a 4-3 loss to West Windsor-Plainsborough North, Bruce did not appear overly concerned, although he said the team “worked on finishing [threats] in practice during the week. We’re getting the shots but we’re not getting lucky bounces.”
What the team is getting, said Bruce, is fine play from Brandon Person and Mike Spinelli. “They’re consistent. So is Eric Talty,” said Bruce. “They’re all probably the most consistent [on the team] but everyone’s playing well.”
Brick Township, meanwhile, came off a 4-2 victory over Middletown North and then a rare scoreless tie with Toms River North before returning to the ice last weekend against Monsignor Donovan.
“That’s the first shutout for both teams in a game in a long time. I can’t remember the last time that happened,” said Auriemma, who praised the Toms River North goalie’s spectacular saves as Brick Township had a 25-15 edge in shots on goal.
It was the second time in a week that Brick Township was playing Monsignor Donovan, who has become very familiar with the two Brick teams at this early juncture. The Green Dragons earlier fell to Monsignor Donovan, 5-3.
“We’re coming together,” said Auriemma. “They’re maturing and the system is in place.”
And Auriemma sees some strengths in the defense that includes goalie Dylan Beaver and defensemen Patrick Kearns, Bob Koste and Ryan Martin and some weaknesses on the ice.
“The passing is improved,” said Auriemma, who repeatedly reminds his players that you can’t outskate a puck passed down the ice. “We need to anticipate the play a little better.”
Offensively, he points to the play of two of his grandsons on the team — Matt Dornacker and Mike Auriemma (Patrick Kearns is another) as well as Jesse Hallock, Jim Whalen and Connor Noonan.