Pioneers look to build on last year’s finish

BRIDGEPORT — From New Year’s on, Sacred Heart men’s hockey was just about a .500 team and improving. The Pioneers won their first playoff series in Atlantic Hockey in three years in March.

With a lot of key contributors returning, that finish could be a double-edged sword.

“It could be, potentially, our greatest strength. These guys have all been there/ done that,” coach C.J. Marottolo said. “They know what it takes. It also could be our greatest weakness, if they think finishing strong last year is just going to carry over. We know it’s not.”

The Pioneers will have three chances to measure up against top programs over the first two weekends of the season at Webster Bank Arena. Then comes the Atlantic Hockey season, beginning at Bentley on Nov. 2.

“We have to turn the page but realize we can reach as high as we want,” said senior defenseman Mike Crocock, a co-captain. “The sky’s the limit for us.”

The optimism comes in part from what Marottolo called a balanced roster, with a big group of talented young players, nine sophomores who played some key roles last year and another seven freshmen, including Colin Bernard of Stamford.

“We all went home this summer and worked hard,” said sophomore forward Marc Johnstone, an alternate captain, whose 30 points last season put him among the NCAA’s top-

Sacred Heart brings two nationally ranked teams to Webster Bank Arena to open the men’s hockey season:

WHAT: Sacred Heart vs. Northeastern

WHEN: Friday, Saturday, 7:05 p.m.

HUSKIES RANKED: 15 in both polls

YOU MAY KNOW: Huskies Soph. D Billy Carrabino of New Canaan played 13 games last year.

WHAT: Sacred Heart vs. Providence

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 20, 7:05 p.m.

FRIARS RANKED: 4, USCHO; 5, USA Today/USA Hockey

YOU MAY KNOW: Friars Soph. F John McDermott of Darien transferred from Boston University. Fr. F Tyce Thompson is the younger son of Bridgeport Sound Tigers coach Brent Thompson.