This season, it’s a different story for Princeton (10-2-0 overall, 7-1-0 ECAC Hockey). The Tigers enter the break atop the ECAC Hockey standings along with conference rivals Cornell (7-1-2, 6-0-2).
With 14 points apiece, Princeton and Cornell have opened up a substantial first-half lead over their nearest competitors: Harvard and Dartmouth have each tallied 10 points.
Junior netminder Zane Kalemba’s play has been the key to the Tigers’ early-season success. Kalemba currently holds a 10-2 mark on the season and has played in every minute of Princeton’s league contests. The Saddle Brook, N.J., native is sixth in the nation in goals-against average with a 1.50 mark and ranks 10th in save percentage at .936.
Crucial to Kalemba’s first-half performance, which head coach Guy Gadowsky called “spectacular,” has been Princeton’s defensive effort. Kalemba has faced just 282 shots in 12 games this season. In contrast, the Tigers have taken 474 shots over the same period.
The Tigers have also benefited from a balanced offensive attack. Thirteen of the team’s skaters have recorded at least five points, with junior center Mark Magnowski leading the way with 11. Magnowski is also Princeton’s leading goal-scorer, with six at the mid-point.
Princeton’s rookie players have also had a significant impact in the early going. Sophomore forward and walk-on Sam Sabky is tied for third in team points with seven. Freshman forward Marc Hagel picked up both of his goals in the Tigers’ impressive 5-3 win over then-No. 4 Northeastern. Highly touted freshman defenseman Derrick Pallis has played in all but one of Princeton’s games and was the lone Tiger listed on the National Hockey League’s Central Scouting office’s rankings of college players for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Despite their impressive first-half record, the Tigers still have room for improvement. Junior forward Cam MacIntyre — the team’s third-leading scorer a year ago — is expected to return from a series of ailments that have scratched him from all but three contests this season. Freshman forwards Brodie Zuk and Scott McNeill also hope to be healthy by the time Princeton returns to action, providing the Orange and Black with some much-needed depth.
Though the Tigers’ 26-day layoff before their next game will allow them to return to action healthy and well rested, Princeton will have to contend with a possible loss of momentum.
“It’s a double-edged sword because we don’t want to come to break,” Gadowsky said before the team’s 4-1 victory over Quinnipiac on Dec. 3. “But we’re looking forward to break to get healthy bodies back because right now we’re really crossing our fingers every time our guys are on the ice.”
“The added depth will also give us more confidence,” he noted.
Princeton’s seven-game homestand to start the second half — beginning with non-league contests against Nebraska-Omaha and Minnesota State on Dec. 29 and 30 — should help jump-start the Tigers once again.
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