ICE HOCKEY
By: Tim Falls
The Lawrence High School Ice Hockey team needed a period to get back in the game.
While the Cardinals have had plenty of practices so far this season, Lawrence did not have any scrimmages before its opener against Nottingham on Tuesday.
The Cardinals came out with four goals in the second period to break a 1-1 tie and start the season win, 5-1.
"It took a period to get going," said Lawrence coach Andy Borowski. "The first period we were a little rusty. It’s been a while since we’ve had a game. Our last game was at states last season."
Lawrence senior Patrick Kowalczyk scored in the first period as the Cardinals matched Nottingham with one goal.
"Our expectations were a little higher," said Borowski. "We felt we were in control. It depended on how hard we worked and how smart we played. That’s what made the outcome what it was."
After the initial period, Lawrence took charge as Pat Fedorko scored the go-ahead goal, Brock Krawczun added two more and Tim Finnerty completed the scoring with Lawrence’s fifth tally.
"After the first period, we took a minute to regroup," said Borowski. "We discussed what we needed to do."
The break between periods was all Lawrence needed to put the Northstars behind them.
While other teams have struggle a bit with the new standard of play and officials enforcing obstruction and interference violations a little more zealously, Borowski said the new rules did not hinder his team. The Lawrence coach said he got a great referee for the opening game, one that let both teams play.
"That’s what both coaches wanted," said Borowski. "We play a physical game. We play clean, but we play physical. It was good to see the kids be able to play the way they’ve been taught, making the clean hits and not getting calls."
Senior captain Matt Watson provided the example the Cardinals followed with his aggressive play.
"Matt Watson lead the way with several big center-ice hits," said Borowski. "Those really got the team motivated."
Another inspiration for the Cardinals was the support from Borowski’s students.
The varsity ice hockey players showed up at their coach’s second-grade class at Ben Franklin Elementary School on the opening day. Borowski said the Lawrence players were very appreciative of the encouragement from the second-graders and the growing interest among the younger students at Ben Franklin and at the high school.
Borowski said the Cardinals could extend their success with two more wins before the end of the week. Lawrence was scheduled to play West Windsor-Plainsboro South last night (Wednesday) and then play WW-P North at 6 p.m. Friday at Mercer County Park.
"We could be 3-0 by the end of the week," said Borowski. "If we play our system and keep our composure we could be 3-0 and that would be a good start."
To remain undefeated in the opening week, the Cardinals can’t afford to wait until the second period in the next few games.
Lawrence will need solid efforts throughout the game, though a surge like it had in the second period against Nottingham could help.
"We exploded with four goals in the second period," said Borowski. "In the third period we settled in and played our system."
The lead Lawrence built gave Borowski the chance to give ice time to all his players and test out two of his three goalies.
Junior Matt Azrolan started the game in net and recorded 18 saves, with one goal against, in two periods of play. Senior Terrence Denauski stepped in and posted a shutout in the third periodwith nine saves.
Along with the games against WW-P North and South this week, Lawrence is scheduled to play Steinert next Wednesday and Ewing next Thursday.