By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
With so many new pieces on the ice, it would seem like it might take a little time for the Princeton High ice hockey team to come together this season.
But judging by the results of the Little Tigers’ first four games, that hasn’t been the case at all.
Princeton improved to 4-0 on Monday with a 6-0 win over Lawrence. In four games, the Little Tigers have outscored the opposition, 33-10. The win over Lawrence was the first shutout of the season as goaltender Sawyer Peck turned away all nine shots from the Cardinals.
“We came in expecting this to be a tough team and knowing when we come in we are not going to crush a team,” junior defenseman Max Garlock said. “When we walk in it is 0-0. We have a good group of seniors with some freshmen and sophomores. Every single class is solid and that builds up to a good team.”
Garlock is in his first season playing a big role for the Little Tigers and he has joined some solid veterans and a group of impressive newcomers to give Princeton a deep and roster.
Freshmen Rocco Salvato and Aiden Trainor have joined senior Brendon McCormick on what has become an explosive top line. The trio accounted for four goals in the win over Lawrence, with McCormick scoring twice.
“Rocco and Aiden, who are playing with Brendon, they seem to work well,” Garlock said. “From a hockey sense they get each other and it only seemed to take one or two practices. “This year we have a deeper team with solid classes all the way through, which helps the team be what it is right now.
“For me, I played a little bit freshman year and a little more sophomore year. I keep building up. I love playing with these guys. I love everything they do. Tooker Callaway playing with me on defense. Augie Preziosi and Eammon McDonald also on defense. It’s all great.”
Princeton was scheduled to face Westfield on Thursday in what should be a good test. They have a nice out of conference win over Jackson Liberty to their credit already. The team seems to be coming together quickly as they look to improve on last year’s 12-8-4 record.
“We ramped up the preseason a little bit,” Princeton coach Terence Miller said. “We had four tough scrimmages. We had it taken to us by Summit. We played Verona. We played some quality scrimmages that helped get us ready. The first two games went pretty easily and then we went down and had a nice quality win against a good Jackson Liberty team on the road.
“So we tried to test ourselves with some good, quality games. We have Westfield coming in who is another solid program. We’re tying to see how we stack up. We have gelled pretty well early on considering all the new guys.”
Miller was most impressed by the defensive effort in the win over Lawrence, as the Little Tigers were able to keep the Cardinals off the scoreboard.
“That was huge for us,” Miller said. “We have really tried to emphasize the defense more. We can score but it is going to be about keeping them out. Sawyer has been lights out for us. He is one of our best athletes and when he can stay locked in back there and hold it down for us in the back we are going to be important for us. The zero is more satisfying than the six.”
Garlock is a bigger part of that defense this year. He’s growing into the role and should be a big help to the Little Tigers.
“Max is maturing before our eyes,” Miller said. “He is a good skater and a smart player. He’s a natural defensemen. He is taking his game to another level this year. He’s been with Augie most of the year but we switched it up and put him with Tooker at the end. The thing with Max is he is starting to take the body. He’s bigger, stronger and more confident. He’s finishing out his checks now, which is rounding out his game. Before he was younger and smaller. You can feel him establishing his physical presence now a little more.”
Princeton will add more depth in January when two transfers are added to the roster. Senior Pascal Meier and junior Nick Ashcroft will add depth to an already deep team.
“When we add them into the mix we should only get better,” Miller said. “We’re off to a good start and that will enhance us more and give us a little more depth.”
Which will raise expectations for a team that has already shown it can be pretty good.
“I am optimistic,” Garlock said. “And with great expectations come a great challenge for us to not mess up. Hopefully we pull through.”
