By Matthew Rocco
The Saint John Vianney High School ice hockey team is working with a young roster, but that hasn’t stopped the Lancers from marching toward a playoff berth.
Following a 5-11-2 finish a year ago, the Lancers were looking like a team on the rise. They already matched their win total from last season, and a 5-1-2 start against Shore Conference A North Division opponents has put a division title within St. John Vianney’s reach.
The Lancers are also building momentum as they head into the final stretch. Coming off wins in three of their last five games, the Lancers want to keep things rolling with more tough games ahead.
“I knew it would take some time to build chemistry, but we’re starting to hit our stride,” head coach Mick Messemer said. “We’re excited for the rest of the season.”
Messemer added that St. John Vianney (5-4-3) is facing a tough schedule this season, but the team has held its own. Three of the team’s four losses were one-goal games, including a 2-1 loss to Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) last week. St. John Vianney also fell to Gloucester Catholic High School, 4-3.
But recent wins over Red Bank Catholic High School, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School and Middletown High School North in close games have kept St. John Vianney moving in the right direction.
“The message in the locker room, even after losses to CBA and Gloucester Catholic, is that we can play with the top dogs not only in the conference, but the state,” Messemer said. “You play the top teams, and that’s how you get better. It’s only going to get better from here.”
John Gelatt is St. John Vianney’s leading scorer. The sophomore has 21 points on the season, including 10 goals. Freshman Mike Franzoni ranks second in points with 14. Franzoni and senior James O’Keefe have six goals apiece.
The Lancers have also counted on a sophomore in goal. Jeremy Connor has stopped 89.8 percent of the shots against him for a total of 307 saves. Last season, Connor led all Shore Conference freshman goalies in saves and save percentage.
St. John Vianney’s early successes are the result of a teamwide effort, Messemer said.
“The whole team is doing their job. They are being leaders in the locker room and on the ice. It’s been a total team effort, top to bottom as a program,” he said.
When Messemer took the job, he told St. John Vianney athletic director Richard Lamberson that he wanted the Lancers to contend for state titles within five years. The team is two-plus seasons into Messemer’s tenure, and the Lancers appear on the cusp of powerhouse status with a talented group of underclassmen already playing leading roles.
“We’re almost there,” Messemer said.
St. John Vianney was scheduled to play Jackson Memorial High School earlier this week. The Lancers will host Jackson Liberty High School Jan. 24 at 5:45 p.m. Home games are played at the Jersey Shore Arena in Wall.
The Lancers will travel to the Red Bank Armory to face Red Bank Catholic Jan. 25 at 8:15 p.m.