By: centraljersey.com
Not content with one of its best starts in program history, the Princeton High School boys ice hockey team is still trying to find the best combinations.
Will Greenberg was in high demand when the Little Tigers changed their lines before playing Vernon on Monday.
"A couple of these guys can play with anybody," said PHS head coach Tim Campbell. "Will can play with anybody. Everybody wants to play with him. That’s the best compliment I can give him."
Greenberg has proven a great finisher for the Little Tigers this season, and he certainly clicked against Vernon. The junior forward provided four goals and two assists in PHS’ 10-3 win. It pushed his goal total to 18 this season, already equaling his mark of a year ago. That production has come as a bit of a surprise.
"That’s a lot for anyone, especially at this point in the year," Greenberg said. "I owe a lot to my linemates."
Greenberg was skating with Fraser Graham and Peter Twining. Michael Irving, just back from injury, is now on their line while Greenberg has partnered with Kirby Peck and freshman Mike Wasson.
"We have a lot of chemistry this year," said Greenberg of the biggest change from a year ago. "We’re working more as a team than individuals. Last year, I think we were a bunch of individuals trying to score. This year, we’re keeping our heads up and looking for other guys."
It’s helped PHS be a lot more successful record-wise as well. Monday’s win pushed the Little Tigers to 10-3 overall heading into today’s game at Princeton Day School in a rematch of last year’s Mercer County Tournament final. PHS has won eight of its last nine games.
"We’ve never really had a streak like this," Greenberg said. "Before this, we hadn’t even taken a winning record into break. What we’re doing right now is pretty special."
It’s special for the players, and Campbell always believed that it would happen this season.
"It’s a confidence thing with these guys," he said. "This group of seniors who has been on the team since they were freshmen went through seasons taking absolute beatings. I could see grassroots talent when they were freshman, but when you’re 14 or 15 years old, it’s hard to see that. We went 4-17 their freshman year. To believe next year we can do better and next year we can do better, it’s hard. To be 7-2 in the league and 10-3 overall, I’ve been trying to tell them I know we’re this good. You just have to believe in yourselves."
PHS had what could they considered a good loss to last year’s public B state tournament finalist Hopewell Valley by a single goal before winning eight of its next nine, including a key Colonial Valley Conference win over West Windsor-Plainsboro North, 4-3, on Jan. 14.
"That was huge," said Greenberg, who provided the first goal of the win over the Knights. "Before that, we had a few iffy wins against Hightstown and Nottingham. Beating North, it showed we could take care of the weak teams and also the powerful teams that are supposedly better than us.
"I feel like a lot of people think our wins are against weak teams. A lot of people don’t think we’re as good as our record shows. We’re out to prove something."
The Little Tigers’ lone loss in the last nine came against highly regarded Middletown North. Even that game was helpful for PHS.
"It showed us what teams will be like in states," Greenberg said. "We have to play defense and protect our goal. They had a lot of scoring opportunities."
While PHS has the firepower on offense to score on anyone, trying to match goals with the more powerful teams won’t get it done in tournament play. The Little Tigers will have the chance to tighten their defensive zone play in a challenging finish to the regular season.
"We have PDS, Bridgewater-Raritan and Cranford, so our non-conference schedule is tough," Campbell said. "Looking at the rest of league schedule, if we can pick up 2 out 3 of the non-conference games left, we should be good."
The Little Tigers are trying to build on their big start. It’s quite a change from a year ago when they entered the MCT below .500.
"I think we’re better than we thought we could be this year," Greenberg said. "At this point, I would have thought we’d have a winning record, but I wouldn’t have thought seven games over .500.
"I think if we win most of these games – our goal is to win 15 games – we’ll definitely be at our highest point and we won’t be going down anytime soon."
