Notre Dame, Princeton set for divisional showdown
When it comes to Colonial Valley Conference hockey, Notre Dame and Princeton are two of the premier teams that have developed quite a rivalry.
The first meeting was snowed out last Friday and the two will look to do battle on Wednesday evening at 8:15 on the ice at Mercer County Park.
Just like in the past, bot the Irish (7-3) and the Little Tigers (7-1-2) are in midseason form and playing very well. Notre Dame has won three straight and out-scored the opposition 11-2 and Princeton has won four in a row.
“I really like the rivalry and I anticipate a good game,” said ND coach Andrew Ducko. “We are battling some injuries, but I’m sure everyone else is too. It just means that other players need to step up in their absence.”
Since the CVC went to only divisional games counting toward the championship, this one has some important Colonial Division implications. Hopewell Valley is 1-0-1, ND is 1-1, Princeton is 0-0-1 and Robbinsville has yet to play a division game.
It looks like this division could come down to the final week of the regular season with several division games falling victim to the weather.
The Irish have been led by Ben Kilian with nine goals and seven assists, Ryan Nemec has nine and six and the defense has been solid allowing just two goals in the las three games.
“I have been happy with our results,” said Ducko. “We have a tough January coming up an it will definitely get us ready for the playoffs.”
One of the keys to the resurgence of Princeton the last four games has been the spirited play of Rocco Salvato. The last four games he has five goals and four assists.
After bursting on the scene last year as a freshman Aidan Trainor has only upped his performance this season and he has five goals and six assists during the current Tigers winning streak.
Eagles Flying High
Already Paul VI has faced a pair of two week layoffs between games and yet it continues to play impressive hockey and has become the team to beat in the Valley Division.
After a loss to Princeton the Eagles (4-1-1, 3-0 Valley) came back and took a 1-0 win from a very good Hopewell Valley team.
“The confidence boost off the Hopewell Valley game was huge,” said Nick Miller, the Eagles first-year coach. “To battle Hopewell Valley for a hard 45 minutes and come out on top in the turning point of the season.”
Miller called the win, “a true team win” and they opened 2018 with a 3-3 tie with a good Robbinsville team.
One of the things that make this showing so amazing is the Eagles are playing only a CVC schedule as they have no out of conference games.
“It’s extremely difficult,” said Miller, of the 12-game schedule. “I already turned my list to my Athletic Director of out of conference opponents next season.”
Club hockey keeps the players skating, but Miller knows it takes more than fresh legs to build a perennial contender.
“The kids stay somewhat physical fresh,” said Miller. “However, it is very tough to build that true chemistry that you can develop throughout a 20-25 game schedule.”
It might not be the amount of games they’d like, but the Eagles are making the most of the ones they have.
Around the County
HOPEWELL VALLEY (6-2-2) »
Have a couple key games to be made up and it’s been 11 days since they took the ice competitively.
HUN (7-4-1) » Decent showing in Washington at the Purple Puck Tournament and the Raiders will just remember the experience of playing at CitiField, not the score. LAWRENCE (1-6-2) » The Cardinals finally cracked the win column, and hopefully, it is the spark they needed. LAWRENCEVILLE (1-9) » Been the struggle for the Big Red so far. Hopefully, the MAHL schedule will be some incentive.
NOTRE DAME (7-3) » Developing better on ice chemistry each game out. NOTTINGHAM (0-8-1) » Goaltending has been great considering the shots they face. PAUL VI (4-1-1) » Would like to keep it rolling when they face Steinert. This is the best Paul VI team in a few years. PENNINGTON (1-2-2) » The Red Raiders haven’t played in a month. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and they can get on a run. PRINCETON (7-1-2) » Won four in a row and all the weapons seemed to be aimed at the right place.
PRINCETON DAY (8-4) » The Panthers have won 7-of-9 and playing excellent hockey. They have a great balanced attack. ROBBINSVILLE (4-3-3) » Ravens have a big test with Notre Dame on Friday. STEINERT (1-6-3) » The Spartans have lost three straight. This is a team that can put the puck in the net and always dangerous.
WEST WINDSOR-PLAINSBORO (5-6-4) » They need to put a few wins together to stay away from that state tournament bubble.