by Andrew Mannix
Boys’ hockey, 4-0-3, is off to their best start in years and is well on its way to making the State Tournament for the first time since 1998. To make the tournament the Tigers must finish the season with a record of .500 or better.
Success for the Tigers is coming from many different places so far this season.
Senior Matthew Mulvaney, a captain with seniors Thomas Gresser and Chris Quinn, said the success is coming from the team’s depth.
“The third line has been doing very well and that lets the first and second lines rest so everyone is fresh when they step on the ice,” said Mulvaney.
According to Mulvaney, the Tigers are playing well in all zones, with energy the entire game. Mulvaney said the Tigers are staying disciplined in the defensive zones even on long shifts and keeping pressure on the offensive side of the ice.
Coach Jamie Gresser attributes the success to “having a collection of good kids including our three captains that help set a constructive tone. Everybody feels responsible for doing their best.”
Quinn attributes that the success does not just come from talent, that it also comes from having a strong team bond and a team effort.
“I am most proud of the way the team as come together and bonded, it shows on the ice. I am also proud of how much effort everyone puts in, it’s easy to see how much everyone cares and you don’t always find that on a high school sports team,” said Quinn.
Although the Tigers have not made the State Tournament since 1998, their goals could go beyond making the tournament this season.
“Our team’s goal originally was to make tournament, however, after the way we have been playing my goal has changed into being a serious threat in the playoffs and going as far as we are able to go,” said Quinn.
One thing the Tigers could to do to improve to make and compete in the tournament would be to “improve our defensive puck support, which is a function of reading plays and anticipating how a given situation might develop,” said coach Gresser.
Tournament or no tournament, coach Gresser’s main goal is to “ develop excellent practice habits and get better as a team each day.”
Coming up for the Tigers are games against Brookline Saturday home and on the road against Framingham next Wednesday
Quinn is most looking forward to the game against Framingham next Wednesday due to the fact that they “skated all over us last year.” It will be interesting to see how the Tigers match up with them this year.