NICK OF TIME: Princeton High boys’ hockey player Nick Ashcroft controls the puck in recent action. Last Wednesday, junior defenseman Ashcroft scored a goal as PHS tied Robbinsville 2-2 and moved to 11-2-3. The Little Tigers face Middletown North on January 25 and then have a rematch against Robbinsville on January 27, with both games taking place at Mercer County Park. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Nick Ashcroft has bounced around in his high school hockey career.

As a freshman, he played for the Hun School boys’ program. A year later, he headed to New England to play for the Chesire Academy (Conn.).

This winter, he returned to the Garden State, having joined the Princeton High boys’ hockey team.

Taking the ice this January after sitting out 30 days under transfer rules, Ashcroft has found a home in his third stop.

“I love it; playing for PHS has made me love hockey again,” said junior defenseman Ashcroft.

“My teammates have been great, everyone has been supportive. They helped me make friends in a new school, which has been the best.”

Being partners with his old friend, junior defenseman Max Garlock, along the blue line has smoothed the transition for Ashcroft.

“There is a little bit of chemistry there because we played together growing up,” said Ashcroft.

“We have always wanted to play hockey together again. It has been a lot of fun.”

Ashcroft was hoping to have more fun last Wednesday as PHS skated to a 2-2 tie with Robbinsville, moving to 11-2-3.

“We got four big points against Notre Dame with back-to-back wins and we need to take that into every game,” said Ashcroft.

“The effort just wasn’t there tonight and we need to address that as a team. It wasn’t a single player that was off, it was just as a whole. It wasn’t there.”

With the game knotted 1-1 going into the third period, PHS was looking to turn up the intensity.

“We needed to dig deep and obviously outwork them,” asserted Ashcroft. “We needed to get back to our game, we were letting them play their game, running around in our zone and we can’t let them do that.”

Coming up with some brilliant work on the offensive end, Ashcroft blasted a one-timer into the net to give PHS a 2-1 lead with 6:26 remaining in regulation. The joy from that tally was short-lived as the Ravens answered with a goal just 55 seconds later.

“It did feel nice but they scored a pretty quick one after which turns good feelings into bad feelings,” said Ashcroft.

In the waning moments of the contest, the Little Tigers generated a number of scoring opportunities but couldn’t break through as the foes ended up in the 2-2 stalemate.

“The pressure was there, the offense was there,” said Ashcroft. “We didn’t capitalize like we wanted to do.”

In Ashcroft’s view, PHS needs to learn from the tie in order to do what it wants in postseason play.

“This is definitely a wake-up call because we know how much better we can play and this was not one of our strong games,” said Ashcroft.

PHS head coach Terence Miller concurred, expressing displeasure with his team’s performance against Robbinsville.

“I am not thrilled with the effort; I give Robbinsville credit, they did well,” said Miller, whose team had fallen 4-2 to Bishop Eustace the previous day.

“We didn’t like our first two periods; we just didn’t play well. We didn’t have our legs tonight. We can talk about back-to-backs but there are really no excuses. We didn’t have it; we weren’t ready tonight.”

Fortunately for the Little Tigers, senior goalie Sawyer Peck played well against Robbinsville, making 23 saves, including several point blank stops.

“Sawyer stepped up his game in a big spot as he usually does,” said Miller.

“He played lights out the other day and he has continued to play lights out. He seems to elevate his game in big spots. We are going to need him to continue to do that because our schedule doesn’t get any easier.”

In Miller’s view,  Ashcroft is bringing game to PHS from his defenseman spot.

“Nick has a good shot from the point; he is at his best when he keeps it simple,” said Miller. “He has been a nice addition for us.”

In order to play its best down the stretch, PHS needs to pick up the intensity.

“We are going to have to sharpen up if we want to get to where we want to be,” said Miller, whose team faces Middletown North on January 25 and then has a rematch against Robbinsville on January 27, with both games taking place at Mercer County Park.

“Today’s effort wasn’t quite enough. I think we will, and I think we can, do better. It is on us at this point.”

With the Mercer County Tournament around the corner, Ashcroft is confident that PHS will play sharper.

“I am always looking forward to the county tournament, it is a great atmosphere,” said Ashcroft.

“It is always fun playing in front of your crowd. We have a chance to win it this year. I think we might do it if we put the effort in and the hard work and bring to every single game as if we are playing Notre Dame.”