M. ice hockey to begin ECAC season

"What are you going to do today?"

For the members of the men's ice hockey team, this question has become a mantra of challenge and inspiration. During the 2003-04 season, they hope the question's answer is "score and win."

Accomplishing that will take some effort as Tiger hockey looks to improve upon last year's disappointing 3-26-2 record. Although this season's early results (0-2) have not been auspicious, Princeton has demonstrated determination and impressive character in its play. Both losses came at the hands of St. Cloud State, currently ranked 10th nationally. Despite coming out on the losing side of 2-1 (overtime) and 3-1 scores, many positive and propitious signs emerged for Princeton.

The Tigers look to even their season record this weekend as they begin Eastern College Athletic Conference play and take on Colgate on Friday and Cornell on Saturday. Both contests start at 7 p.m. at Baker Rink.

Last year, Princeton split a two-game series with Colgate and lost two to Cornell. Cornell is currently ranked 15th in the nation and will be a formidable foe for this Tiger team.

A brick wall in net

In a sport in which goaltending has become the focal point, sophomore goalie Eric Leroux has been an absolute standout thus far. With 42 saves in the first game against St. Cloud and 46 the next day, he stood large in net and kept the score competitive.

The number of shots on goal implies that the Princeton defense needs seasoning; Leroux, however, has responded with a veteran's poise and brilliantly handled the pressure.

"[Leroux's] focus and level of concentration were exactly where they needed to be," head coach Len Quesnelle '88 said. "I believe he gave us a chance to win both games in St. Cloud."

Penalties at inopportune moments have hurt the Tigers. In the first game against the Huskies, Princeton went into the overtime period a man down due to a hooking penalty called on sophomore forward Patrick Neundorfer at the end of the final period.

Although Leroux was able to repel the first two shots, the third slipped by to garner the Huskies' win. Princeton was whistled for 13 penalties in the opening two games, and while Quesnelle was pleased with the team's penalty killing in the defensive zone, these gifts led to three power-play goals. For an offensively-challenged team, such lapses in play can be fatal.

Curing scoring woes

Last year, Princeton lacked the ability to score the "big" goal at crucial times. On 14 occasions the team entered the third period tied but lost 13 of those games. The Tigers lost nine games by one goal, and 11 more by two, only because empty-net goals extended the margin of defeat.

In order to demonstrate its competitive spirit this year, Princeton needs a player to step up and capitalize on scoring situations. Senior co-captain Chris Owen, last year's scoring leader, will be called upon to fill this role of offensive threat.

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In addition, the relatively young team will count on assistant captains Neundorfer and junior center Mike Patton to assert their leadership and generate increased offensive production.

"I expect for the most part that the goals we score this year are what you would call 'blue collar' or hard working goals by winning a battle along the boards, get the puck to the net and drive the net hard away from the puck," Quesnelle said. "Everyone on our team must be willing to get involved in creating these types of chances for ourselves."

Defensively, the team must not become too reliant on Leroux's "brick wall"-like play. Led by senior co-captain Steve Slaton, the defense must reduce the opposition's shots on goal if Princeton expects to compete effectively and improve its league performance.

This emphasis on defense was a primary preseason focus of Quesnelle, who is pleased with the progress he has seen to this point.

"We are going to be a team that takes great pride in limiting the other teams' chances, creating turnovers and then attacking with speed once we have possession," he said.

Leroux stressed that the team cannot be paralyzed by the thought that "today's failure ruins all future and past efforts." They must not dwell on their two losses. Instead, they must forge ahead with confidence towards this weekend's key matchups. The Tigers must build on their defensive zone coverage, puck control and possession as they try to seize this opportunity to prove what they can and will do to ensure their continued improvement.