By: Brian Shappell
South Brunswick ice hockey coach Mike DeAngelis has needed players to step up when their teammates couldn’t play several times this season.
Time and time again, senior forward Chris Pedersen has answered the call especially in the last week.
Pedersen had the team’s only assist on a Brett Erdreich break-away in Monday’s 4-1 loss against St. Augustine and had two goals and three assists in a 6-0 thrashing of host Toms River South. The performances were especially important because of season-ending injuries to Matt Ruffalo and Mike Turton as well as the suspensions of five players following a post-game fight against Monsignor Donovan on Jan. 28.
Pedersen and forward Brett Erdreich had to carry the bulk of the leadership duties in the games and did so with a lot of success, according to DeAngelis.
"We were trying to motivate the players and get the JV guys going," Pedersen said. "A lot of them played with heart. That really improves the outlook for the future of the organization."
It wasn’t the first time Pedersen came through in the clutch. During a holiday tournament in December when the Vikings were missing two of their top scorers, Pedersen helped lead the team to two victories. A week later he scored two goals in a victory over Princeton.
Thought the senior said he’s not a superstitious person, his mid-season burst has caused him to continue with one pre-game tradition. Pedersen wears the same socks for every game one with a hole on the left foot and the one without on the right foot.
"I switched that up for the Princeton game and got two goals, so I’ll keep it that way."
Pedersen began playing ice hockey during his freshman year at the high school after seeing many of his in-line roller hockey teammates like goaltender Donald Rodner jumping to the ice.
"I said to my parents let’s collect some money and get me on the ice," he said with a laugh.
Despite the late start, Pedersen has found a true fire for the game because of hockey’s fast pace and intensity.
"I love being out on the ice whether it’s a game or practice," Pedersen said.
Loving practice can be quite a task with the tough, defensive-based practice run by their discipline coach. But Pedersen and the other players all seem to enjoy playing in DeAngelis’ system, though.
In fact, Pedersen, who is looking to go to college for business at Syracuse or New York University, said he’d be interested going to Rutgers University if DeAngelis returned to the school’s club ice hockey team as coach.
The admiration for the senior forward is mutual, according to DeAngelis.
"He has helped us play well all season and developed into a good center he’s really provided us with stability," said DeAngelis. "He’s pretty much a non-travel, non-league player so it’s great to see him do well. The kid’s got his act together on and off the ice."
From the Point:
The Vikings will finish their regular season this week with a pair of games against Middletown North on the road on Sunday and at Pro Skate against Montgomery on Monday at 3:45 p.m.
Four of the five suspended players will return from suspension Sunday. Schwartz, the team’s top offensive player still active, may miss action due to a hand injury suffered during practice. The Vikings are hoping for a large, loud crowd similar to the beginning of the season for the regular season finale.
"Hopefully we can get a lot of fan support," Pedersen said. "We don’t want to leave on a sour note."
