By: centraljersey.com
WEST WINDSOR – Aside from the fact it has already won two more games than last year, there are other subtle signs of progress with the Lawrence High ice hockey team this season.
The wins are one thing, but the Cardinals are also playing more competitive in their losses. Last year there were a lot of lopsided setbacks. There have been a few this year, but there have been more like Monday’s 4-3 setback to Hamilton at Mercer Rink, in which the Cards had a 3-1 lead but couldn’t hold on.
The loss came without Max Zeidel, one of the team’s top scorers who sat out for a team matter.
"It’s tough to lose with three unanswered goals," coach Mark Fidanza said. "But, you win some, you lose some."
The Cards have won five this year while losing nine. Last year they were just 3-18.
"We have made marked improvement over last year," said Fidanza, now in his second year. "In my mind we’re moving up. We have some winnable games coming up. We have another Hamilton game (for third place in the Holiday Tournament), we have (winless as of Monday) Steinert next week and Manasquan Wednesday if it doesn’t snow.
"They should be close games and could swing either way. I’m hoping we can pull out a few more games and maybe we’ll sneak one in against some of the big boys."
Think it’s impossible? Obviously you didn’t watch the NFC playoffs Saturday when Seattle beat New Orleans.
"I know statistics say it’s not likely but you never know," Fidanza said. "Hamilton came close to Robbinsville (losing 6-5). I mean, there’s nobody out of reach entirely.
"I think we improved. I anticipated there being a little more intensity this year. Getting the Ewing kids (when the Devils program was suspended) added fuel to the fire."
For over 25 minutes, Lawrence had the upper hand against the Hornets thanks to goals by Brandon Leese, Pat Kelly and Corey Crafford. But Hamilton, the reigning CVC Patriot Division champ, battled back with a goal in the second and two more in the third.
This year’s Cardinals don’t roll over, however. In the final few minutes, Crafford had two good scoring opportunities and Kelly had another, but Hornet goalie Evan Morris made the saves.
Goalie Kyle Agin did another good job of keeping Lawrence in it with 34 saves of his own.
"None of those goals were his fault," Fidanza said. "The first goal there were two guys in front of the net wide open. On the third goal both our defensemen pinched at the same time, didn’t talk, and they got a breakaway. The fourth goal was very similar, a guy skated through three of our defensemen.
"You can’t expect him to be a brick wall but he’s been outstanding. I can rely on him to stop the ones that he should stop."
Lawrence’s biggest problem has been getting good scoring opportunities. They reversed that trend in the second period against Hamilton by scoring two goals on its first three shots of the period.
But for the most part, the shots have not been overly dangerous.
"We’re having a hard time getting pucks in the net," Fidanza said. "We get tons of shots but they’re not the high-quality, fast-paced shots. They’re from the blue line dumping them on net, so the shot counts aren’t really reflecting the scoring chances."
But the increased wins are certainly reflecting the improvement. So too, are some of the close losses.

