Souhegan boys hockey is still trying to reload

Thursday, January 28, 2010

By TOM KING

Staff Writer

For years, Souhegan was the toast of Division III boys hockey.

Indeed, when the Sabers last faced the Hollis/Brookline Cavaliers it was 11 months ago in the state semifinals, a game Souhegan was expected to win. The Cavs were a great grass-roots story but the Sabers were hockey royalty. That script was followed.

And now, as the two meet tonight at 7:30 at Hudson’s Cyclones Arena?

The Sabers are in a different place, being more or less welcomed back to the pack. Hollis/Brookline is rebuilding, and Souhegan is having trouble reloading from the groups that won three straight titles in four straight championship game appearances.

Indeed, it’s a different world right now for Souhegan hockey.

They are not viewed, at least not now, as championship contenders.

Bedford, for this year until they move up to Division II next season, and defending champion Kennett (unbeaten) are the powers for now.

But that’s OK.

“We’re still improving, which is good,” Sabers coach Ed Viola, who takes a 4-4 team into tonight’s game, said. “We still have many, many things to work on. If we can make the playoffs and hit our stride, well, that’s what a lot of other teams have done.”

That’s the key for the Sabers, hit their stride. Indeed, it’s a different year without a top line that can score at will. But scoring, according to Viola, isn’t really the major problem.

It’s defense.

Why?

Because if you can’t score the way you used to, you had better keep the other team off the board more so than in the past.

The Sabers gave up 13 goals to Kennett in two losses and this past Saturday lost a tough 5-4 game to Belmont-Gilford, another Division III contender.

Viola wants to see the 5-4 and 6-5 games turn into 2-1, 3-1.

“We’re giving good effort, but we’re not getting the most out of our effort,” Viola said. “That’s what the coaches have to correct …

“We’re skating hard – but to the wrong spot.”

The wrong spot in their own zone. The Sabers still have superb senior blue liner Ben Rafferty, and there’s been some temptation to move him to forward.

But he is such a good puck-carrying defenseman that Viola has opted to keep him back there to start rushes out of the zone, so important to the game.

“If we need the offense, we’ll move him up from time to time,” he said. “But he’s so good at moving the puck up.

“It’s a team defense. We’re allowing guys to get open in front. Teams are swirling in front of the net area and getting easy goals. If a guy’s that open, a (Saber skater) has got to get to him … When you look at the films, we’ve had guys within five feet (of an opposing scorer).”

Meanwhile, the offense seems to be taking care of itself. Quinn Carroll, an emerging freshman a year ago has now blossomed into a solid sophomore, with nearly a dozen points in his last three games. “He’s really stepped it up for us offensively,” Viola said.

Sophomore skaters Carson Burke and Joe Stacy have also played well.

But no longer can the Sabers give up a goal and get two back. Those days simply aren’t going to be coming anytime this season.

But Viola is looking forward to tonight’s game, even though the circumstances have changed for both teams, really, as the Cavs are 2-3-1 with a very young club. “Absolutely,” he said. “It’s a different feel as to where we are in the standings, but I think there will be a great atmosphere and I’m looking forward to it.”

And Viola is also looking forward to molding this team into a contender.

“I’ve always said players win games, and coaches lose them,” he said.