STICK FIGHT: Princeton Day School boys’ hockey player Nic Petruolo, left, battles a foe in a game last season. Senior defenseman and Union-bound Petruolo chipped in an assist to help PDS defeat Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) 3-0 last Wednesday. The Panthers, now 8-4, play at Hill School (Pa.) on January 10 before heading to New England to play at Portsmouth Abbey School (R.I.) on January 12 and at Worcester Academy (Mass.) on January 13. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Nic Petruolo relished the challenge as the Princeton Day School boys’ hockey team hosted powerhouse Don Bosco in the championship game of the Harry Rulon-Miller Invitational.

“Coming into this game, they were rated as the best team in the state right now so as a player being a competitor, this is one of the games that you want to play your best,” said Petruolo. “All of our guys battled.”

Petruolo helped PDS put up a fight against Don Bosco, assisting on a goal by David Sherman as PDS took a 1-0 lead with 10:08 remaining in the first period of the December 30 contest.

“The first goal was huge, especially playing against that team, they are very high skilled, very good in transition,” said Petruolo.

“When I was coming back to the bench, the first thing I said was ‘boys, let’s go now, it is time too turn it around and really take over.’”

Displaying its skill, Don Bosco responded with two unanswered goals to forge ahead 2-1 late in the second period.

PDS answered back with a back with a tally by Cade McLaughlin off a beautiful feed from Luke Antonacci to make it 2-2 with 3:19 remaining in the second period.

“It was a good breakout from our own zone and transitioned over to a goal which was huge, 2-2 was big,” said Petruolo.

“When I came back to the bench, I was saying we really have a chance against this team, we beat Delbarton (1-0 on December 13) and this would have been another one to tip our hats too.”

But showing its class, Don Bosco scored with 2:35 left in regulation and hung on for a 3-2 victory.

“It happened to go the wrong way with two and a half minutes left,” said Petruolo. “It is tough but I am happy with the way our team performed. I thought we played really well.”

Petruolo was proud of how the Panthers performed on defense. “The big thing was taking care of the house, right in front of the net,” said Petruolo.

“On the second goal they scored, they probably had three or four opportunities, our goalie made three saves and they finally put the last one in. They would go to the corner and throw it to the front of the net, that was one big thing to focus on.”

Utilizing his experience and skill, Petruolo looks to get pucks on net at the offensive end.

“I am an older guy so I am more comfortable handling the puck,” said Petruolo, who plays for the North Jersey Avalanche travel team and has committed to attend Union and compete for its Division I men’s hockey team. “I play at a high level.”

In addition to producing all over the rink,  Petruolo tries to keep spirits high.

“One of my roles on the bench is to make sure there is a lot of high energy and make sure that nobody is down on themselves,” said Petruolo, who chipped in an assist to help PDS defeat Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) 3-0 last Wednesday.

“I am always talking to the boys, getting them going and getting them ready for the shift. That is huge before you get on the ice, knowing what you are going to do and where you are going to be. It is just keeping the mindset focused on the main goal which is to get wins.”

PDS head coach Scott Bertoli credits Petruolo with bringing a lot to the table for the Panthers.

“You are going to play Division I hockey for a reason, the kid is highly talented,” said Bertoli of Petruolo.

“He is a difference maker, the kid can control the pace of the game. He has always had a high skill level, he can shoot a puck harder than anyone I have seen at this level.”

The Panthers displayed skill and intensity collectively as they battled Don Bosco tooth-and-nail all over the ice.

“The second period was probably the best hockey I have seen here in 10 years, outside of going to Baker Rink and watching Princeton,” said Bertoli.

“I became more of fan of the game than a coach in the second and third periods. I just got so caught up in the action. I love just watching our kids play and compete. We were forced to play at that level, otherwise that game could have gotten away from us. They are that talented, their first line is outstanding, two of those three kids are going to play college hockey, without question.”

While Bertoli was disappointed that PDS came up short, he had no qualms about the effort he got from his players.

“I like the way our team has competed in tight games, even though the result didn’t go the way we all wanted it to go,” said Bertoli. “I walked into the locker room and commended them on their effort and their ability to play and compete with that team.”

As Bertoli looks ahead to the stretch drive, he is confident that his squad will keep competing hard.

“My guess is that, more often than not, the rest of the way, we will be the better team and with that comes the responsibility of playing the game the right way and bringing the effort, energy, and focus each time out,” said Bertoli, whose team, now 8-4, plays at the Hill School (Pa.) on January 10 before heading to New England to play at Portsmouth Abbey School (R.I.) on January 12 and at Worcester Academy (Mass.) on January 13.

“If we can do that, I like our chances in every game that we play, that is not to say that we are going to win every game. We have some tough league (Mid-Atlantic Hockey League) games; Hun is coming in and Lawrenceville is coming in and Hill is strong. Those are all going to be good, tough tests.”

Petruolo, for his part, believes that the Panthers should be in the hunt for both the state Prep and MAHL titles.

“We are definitely capable of winning both of those championships,” said Petruolo. “When we play big teams like this, we are really gunning for it and step up our game. The whole intensity is lifted.”