MIGHTY QUIN: Princeton University men’s hockey player Quin Pompi controls the puck in recent action. Last Saturday senior defenseman Pompi scored a third period goal to help Princeton defeat 10th-ranked Bemidji State 3-1 to complete a sweep of a two-game set with the Beavers. Princeton, now 2-6-1 overall and 0-5-1 ECAC Hockey, hosts Union on December 2 and Rensselaer on December 3. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Even though the Princeton University men’s hockey team brought a 0-6-1 record into its two-game set at 10th-ranked Bemidji State after Thanksgiving, Ron Fogarty believed the Tigers were on the verge of a breakthrough.

“In our five games before this weekend, we either had the lead or we were tied 2-2 in the third period,” said Princeton head coach Fogarty. “We were right there the entire time; it was just a matter of time for the bubble to burst.”

The Tigers ended up having a very good time during their weekend in Minnesota, topping the Beavers 4-1 on Friday and prevailing 3-1 a day later.

“We played solid for the majority of the time out there,” said Fogarty. “For us to have the lead in the third and hold it for both games will give us some momentum, for sure, heading into this weekend and the rest of the season.”

A subtle tactical adjustment helped pave the way for the sweep. “We tweaked one system in the neutral zone; that was basically it, just to have guys back in the middle of the ice,” explained Fogarty.

“We played the same way and we supported the same. We scored goals in the third period so it wasn’t like we were on our heels and trying to hold on. We produced goals.”

In the win on Friday, sophomore Ryan Kuffner triggered the offense, scoring two goals, combining with linemates and fellow sophomores Max Veronneau and Alex Riche to generate a number of scoring chances.

“It is a matter of time before that Kuffner, Veronneau, Riche line catches fire here,” said Fogarty.

“It was good for Kuff to score two. Veronneau had a lot of opportunities to score and was just missing. That line did play well.”

A night later, Princeton’s second line of freshman Jeremy Germain, junior Eric Robinson, and junior David Hallisey, led the way as Hallisey scored two goals and Robinson picked up an assist.

“Germain is a very solid center man, he is more of a defense-first center man,” said Fogarty.

“Eric Robinson and David Hallisey go in and get up the ice quickly. That line has been our most consistent line.”

After senior goalie Colton Phinney made 35 saves in the win on Friday, junior Ben Halford got the call between the pipes on Saturday and excelled with a superb 43-save effort.

“We had an injury to Colton in the second period of the first game and he fought through it so that opened the door for Ben and he played solid,” said Fogarty, noting that Phinney’s status for upcoming games hasn’t been determined.

“The guys were back hard in front of the net to clear away rebounds that were left there. He seized an opportunity and he played great. He made himself look big. Our guys responded in front of him. They got the early lead off of a penalty shot; that was the only goal of the game so he played solid. It was great to see that.”

Fogarty is looking for Princeton to keep up its solid play as it hosts Union on December 2 and Rensselaer on December 3 and aims to get some wins in ECAC Hockey action.

“We just have to keep getting better at what we are doing well and just be consistent for 60 minutes,” said Fogarty, whose team is 0-5-1 ECACH play.

“Our guys have had a positive attitude all the way through. The stats show our possession, our shots on goal, all of that is very good. It is just a matter of getting our 6 percent shooting percentage up. Our power play has been up now and our save percentage has gone up. We knew we were going to win sooner or later, it turned out to be later from the first part of the season. The guys know that they have to keep their standard of play high and give ourselves an opportunity to win. That doesn’t mean you are going to win the game but if you are in it, you have a chance to win and that is all you can ask for.”