Boyer’s two goals help HVM top LHE
WEST WINDSOR » Over the years, the Mercer County Skating Center has been like a second home for Mike Boyer.
A four-year player for Hopewell Valley/Montgomery, he’s been through the up and downs of the hockey season and he wants his final season to be the most memorable.
“Every year has been a little different,” said Boyer after the HVM co-op captured a 6-2 win over the Lawrence/Hightstown/Ewing triop in a Colonial Valley Conference game on Monday night.
“I’m the captain and I want to provide a good road map for the rest of the guys,” added Boyer. “Before me, my brother (Jack) was here and we have always been Hopewell hockey guys. I learned from him and I want to teach these guys the traditions of Hopewell hockey. I think this is a great team and we have a lot coming for us.”
Boyer proved worthy to carry the ‘C’ on his jersey with two goals and an assist as HVM (3-0, 2-0 CVC) built a 5-0 lead after two periods.
Besides Boyer, the co-op got goals from Joe Greenspoon, Billy Ruger, Cole Beck and Lucas Gaissert. The assists came from Boyer, Greenspoon, Gaissert and Liam Yeoman.
The tri-op got goals from Gregory Gamburg and Jason Keller as after the 5-0 lead they finally cracked the HVM defense.
Nick Chetti had 25 saves for LHE and Ryan Morici was solid in goal for Hopewell Valley/Montgomery with 21 saves.
“It has been a good start to the season,” said HVM coach Jeff Radice. ”We have a young group and we are finding different ways to win.”
It has helped tremendously having a player of the poise, talent and experience of Boyer.
“He has been a contributor since he was 13-14 years old,” said Radice, of Boyer. “It’s nice to see him grow into the young man that can lead and people can follow. He is starting to pick up some of the intangibles and some of the nuances of the game and that makes him a very effective player.”
He certainly proved just how effective when he put a laser top shelf for HVM’s fifth goal of the game.
“It was a nice goal,” said Boyer. ”I saw the goalie go down and I saw the open space up top and I took it. I wanted to work hard on that one because it started from a loose puck, you have to win every loose puck.”
The HVM co-op has 10 freshmen and it has been a perfect storm for the first three games as everyone is contributing and blending well together.
“It’s important to have the older guys there to show them how it’s done,” said Radice.
HVM (3-0, 2-0 CVC)
LHE (0-2, 0-2 CVC)
Goals: HVM: Boyer 2, Greenspoon, Ruger, Beck, Gaissert. LHE: Keller, Gamburg. Assists: HVM: Greenspoon, Boyer, Gaissert, Yeoman. Shots: HVM: 31, LHE: 23. Saves: HVM: Morici 21, LHE: Chetti 25.