March 11, 2015

PU Men’s Hockey Falls in ECACH Playoffs But Foundation in Place for Future Success

CLOSING STATEMENT: Princeton University men’s hockey player Matt Nelson heads up the ice in a game this winter. Last Friday, freshman defenseman Nelson tallied his first career goal but it wasn’t enough as 12th-seeded Princeton lost 3-2 to No. 5 Dartmouth in the first game of a best-of-three ECAC Hockey opening round playoff series. A night later, Princeton fell 2-0 to the Big Green to get swept and end the season with an overall record of 4-23-3.(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

CLOSING STATEMENT: Princeton University men’s hockey player Matt Nelson heads up the ice in a game this winter. Last Friday, freshman defenseman Nelson tallied his first career goal but it wasn’t enough as 12th-seeded Princeton lost 3-2 to No. 5 Dartmouth in the first game of a best-of-three ECAC Hockey opening round playoff series. A night later, Princeton fell 2-0 to the Big Green to get swept and end the season with an overall record of 4-23-3. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

For Ron Fogarty, a major goal in his debut campaign at the helm of the Princeton University men’s hockey team was to have the Tigers playing their best hockey come playoff time.

Although 12th-seeded Princeton was swept 2-0 by fifth-seeded Dartmouth in a best-of-three ECAC Hockey opening round series last weekend, Fogarty believes his team displayed its progress.

In the opener on Friday, the Tigers jumped out to a 1-0 lead six minutes into the contest on the first career goal by freshman defenseman Matt Nelson. After Dartmouth scored two unanswered goals in the second period, Princeton knotted the game at 2-2 midway through the third on a tally by Garrett Skrbich. The Big Green, however, scored with 1:27 left in regulation to pull out the victory.

A night later, the foes were locked in a scoreless stalemate until Dartmouth scored early in the second period. Princeton pressed hard for the tying goal but couldn’t find the back of the net and the Big Green tacked on an empty net goal in the last five seconds to win the game and wrap up a series sweep.

“We looked and played differently from that first weekend in Newark,”
asserted Fogarty in reflecting on his team’s performance this weekend.

“We played well on Friday, they scored on a delayed penalty. We were resilient and tied it at 2-2. We had lots of good scoring chances. They got that late goal. We played very well and followed it up with another good game. We played intense. We stuck to the game plan and played our systems. Our inability to score was a theme of the season and that hurt us again this weekend.”

While Princeton did have trouble finding the back of the net as it averaged just 1.30 goals per game, Fogarty believes the team raised the level of its play across the board.

“The commitment and work ethic to play more with the puck,” said Fogarty, when asked to assess the biggest areas of progress. “We had a lot more time in the offensive zone at the end of the season and we cleaned up things in the defensive zone. Our entire game improved from day one to last Saturday evening.”

Fogarty credited the team’s senior class of Aaron Ave, Ryan Benitez, Tucker Brockett, Aaron Kesselman, Tom Kroshus, and Tyler Maugeri with easing the transition to the new coaching staff.

“They competed and stuck with the game plan from day one, they paved the way for the years to come,” said Fogarty.

With Princeton returning its top three scorers, junior Jonathan Liau (4 goals and 10 assists this season), sophomore Ben Foster (4 goals, 6 assists) and junior Kyle Rankin (3 goals, 7 assists) along with sophomore star goalie Colton Phinney (3.08 goals against average and .910 save percentage in 29 appearances this season), Fogarty believes things are headed in the right direction.

“The core is solid, it will be easier for the freshmen to come in next year,” said Fogarty. “They are familiar with our systems and can help accelerate things for the freshmen.”

Fogarty found it easy to connect with his new players. “It was very enjoyable,” said Fogarty. “I was proud to be behind the bench and coach these guys. I enjoyed every day.”

In Fogarty’s view, good days are ahead for the program. “We are not going to change many things,” said Fogarty.

“We are going to keep being positive and enhance the systems we have in place. There were no knee jerk reactions or decisions this year, we stayed even-keeled. The returning players know what the expectations are on and off the ice. The foundation is set.”