Hockey scores win over weekend

With a strong showing this past weekend against two solid opponents, the Tufts men's hockey team appears to be a great deal more competitive than last year's 6-17 version. A dominating 6-3 triumph over St. Michael's College and a tough 5-3 loss to perennial national title contender Norwich have made the team optimistic about its chances for the rest of the season.

"It was a good weekend because Norwich is basically a Division I program," head coach Brian Murphy said. "But it wasn't a great weekend. As well as we played against Norwich, we still lost. So we can't get ahead of ourselves and we must continue to improve."

During a game against Norwich last year, the team was down 9-0 after two periods of play. Needless to say, there is a big difference between the team that took the ice last year and this year's squad.

There are twelve newcomers this year, some of whom have already begun to contribute. Included in this group is Ken Cleary, who had two goals and one assist over the weekend, Matt McCarthy, who had two assists, Pat Walsh, Colorado College transfer John Van Pelt and Remy Bickoff, who each had one assist.

"The Norwich and St. Michael's games were complete team efforts," sophomore forward Sean Hayes said. "The new guys are stepping up big time."

"All three lines were clicking over the weekend," sophomore forward Shawn Sullivan added. "That's a good sign for the rest of the year."

While the team did work together in all aspects of the game, there were players who stood out more than others. Junior goaltender Ben Crapser certainly did his best to make the trip to Vermont well worth it. Against St. Michael's, he turned away 31 of 34 shots. Crasper's luck against Norwich was not as good however, as he had to face 45 shots and stopped 40 of them.

Senior co-captain Mike Carceo picked up where he left off last year as the team's leading scorer with two goals and two assists in the two games. Sophomore forwards John Hurd and Gino Rotondi each played integral roles, with Hurd notching two goals and Rotondi getting a goal and two assists.

"While we didn't pick up four points this weekend, I think we gained a lot of confidence," Hurd said. "I think this was something we can build on and we can use these two games as a stepping stone for this program. We're trying to quiet all the doubters."

Head coach Murphy wants the team to keep the win at St. Michael's and the tight game with Norwich in proper perspective.

"We have a lot of stuff to work on. There is a lot of room for improvement," he said. "Our goal is to keep making strides and hopefully, come February, we will be gelling as a team as we try to make the playoffs."

Sullivan said the team cannot be satisfied with one win. "We have to expect this every game, and just go out there pissed off and pumped up each time out," he said.

With a healthy mix of new blood and veteran leadership, there is a new feeling in the air for the Jumbo hockey team.

The team's next game is next Sunday, when it will travel to UMass-Dartmouth for a non league tilt.