BIG BEN: Princeton High boys’ hockey player Ben Drezner goes after the puck in recent action. Last Wednesday, Drezner tallied three goals and an assist as PHS defeated Steinert 10-1 in its first game of 2018. The Little Tigers, who dropped to 7-2-2 with a 2-0 loss at Wayne Hills last Sunday, play Notre Dame on January 10 at the Mercer County Skating Center, South Brunswick on January 12 at Pro Skate, and Westfield on January 13 at the Union Sports Arena. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Even though Tim Chase was disappointed by the result as his Princeton High boys’ hockey team fell 2-0 to Wayne Hills last Sunday evening, he views the game as a valuable learning experience for his squad.

“Today’s outcome is a part of success down the road,” said PHS head coach Chase, who got 21 saves from goalie Harry Skopas as the Little Tigers dropped to 7-2-2. “They see we have to be quicker, we have to be going after that puck all of the time. No team is very good when it isn’t jumping on loose pucks.”

PHS got 2018 off to a very good start with a 10-1 win over Steinert last Wednesday.

“It is nice to put the puck in the net and win the game,” said Chase. “It has been good, all lines have been scoring.”

Ben Drezner and Rocco Salvato triggered the offense in the win over the Spartans as Drezner tallied three goals and an assist while Salvato contributed three assists.

“Ben is a hard worker, being on a line with two guys with a lot of skill (Aidan Trainor and Salvato), he creates a lot of havoc on the ice,” said Chase.

“He is not afraid to sit in front of the net and get those rebounds, and it has been paying off for us. Ben is very fast and gritty so he is helping that line out a lot by being an annoyance to the other team. Salvato has been passing and moving the puck real well, he sees the ice well.”

Having Hun School transfer Keith Goldberg on the ice after he sat out the first 30 days of the season under NJSIAA rules is a plus for the Little Tigers.

“It definitely brings another guy who controls the flow of the game,” said Chase of Goldberg, who tallied two goals in the win over Steinert. “It is good to have him in the lineup.”

With PHS slated to play Notre Dame on January 10, South Brunswick on January 12, and Westfield on January 13, Chase is looking for his players to up their game.

“That is where we need to see what the guys can do; if we want to go anywhere in the playoffs or the states, we have got to perform against those type of teams,” said Chase.

“They are fired up for that game against Notre Dame. It is a big rivalry for these guys, so hopefully we can get our legs going.”

PHS has to get things going at the defensive end in order to compete with the tougher teams.

“I think the big issue with our team right now is that we are too soft in our zone,” said Chase.

“Playing up here against Wayne Hills, they just moved the puck around in our zone too easily. Our guys are not as aggressive in the defensive zone as they should be.”

In Chase’s view, the Little Tigers are headed in the right direction. “It is a process with this team, our focus is the end of the year,” said Chase. “Whether we lose or win, it is getting us all on the same page so at the end of the year when we want to make our push, we are ready to go.”