Hayward leads Hopewell to rout of Steinert

WEST WINDSOR » Colin Hayward is a captain this season, and already his demeanor and play are having a positive effect.

“I want to be able to lead the team by example and by voice,’’ Hayward said after he and his Hopewell Valley teammates blanked Steinert, 6-0, in a Colonial Valley Conference game on Monday night at Mercer County Park.

“We all want to treat every game like it’s going to be our last,’’ added Hayward, who scored a pair of goals. “The boys were buzzing out there and we wanted to get the win.’’

The Bulldogs (3-0-1) held a 2-0 until late in the second period when they erupted for three goals in the last 5:56 of the period.

“It was a solid team effort and they made are the smart hockey plays,’’ said HV coach Jeff Radice. “Everything is starting to come together.’’

The Spartans (0-3) hung together and kept the game close until the three-goal burst. Steinert got great goaltending from Trevor Malik, a freshman.

They played a solid game but just couldn’t find the back of the net.

“We played well in the first period and then in the second period they opened the floodgates and we shutdown,’’ said Steinert coach James Nobilio. “We haven’t been able to sustain pressure in the offensive zone.’’

Besides the pair by Hayward, the ‘Dawgs got goals from Ethan Block, Steven Doldy, Jae Vafis and Vann Adrian-Hage. Vafis, Adrian-Hage, Hayward, Sean Amon, Livi Bruno, Lindsey Anderson and Trent Demers.

There are only four seniors on the Hopewell Valley roster, and their leadership has been a key in the early going.

“I think the leadership has really powered this start that we have had,’’ said Radice. “It’s not only important, it has been the most important thing this season. Colin (Hayward) has been around for four years, and his example really rubs off on the guys.’’

It was a tight game until the end of the second period, and despite just a 2-0 advantage, Radice had confidence in his team.

“I told them not to get frustrated and to keep chipping away,’’ said Radice, as the Bulldogs outshot Steinert, 33-5. “We had to be patient and I knew our depth would wear teams down. We have to keep playing our hockey game and the puck will eventually bounce our way.’’

Having the leadership of the captain sure helps, too.

PRINCETON 5, LAWRENCE 1

WEST WINDSOR >> Princeton scored twice in the first 71 seconds to set the tone and the Little Tigers (3-0-1) kept the pressure in the Lawrence zone.

Princeton had control the entire game, but the Cardinals (0-2) hung tough. P.J. Keenan, the Lawrence goalie, turned back 40 shots.

Mad Garlock led the Tigers with a pair of goals, Aidan Trainor had a goal and two assists, Robbie Trainor had one goal and one assist and Nathan Podgalsky added a goal.

Rocco Salvato and Ryan McCormick each had two assists and Austin Micale had one. McCormick now has six assists on the season.

The lone Lawrence goal that made it 4-1 with 5:34 left in the game came off the stick of Chris Eden with Connor Zrinko getting the assist.