Neshaminy ice hockey trying for a breakout season (PHOTO GALLERY)
WARMINSTER – Every team enters a new season hoping this will be their year. For the Neshaminy ice hockey squad, that optimistic thinking is starting to become a reality.
Last year, coach Dave Dugan’s young warriors found themselves inexperienced and outmanned in the highly competitive National division of the Suburban High School Hockey League. While league champ William Tennent racked up a 15-4-1 record, Neshaminy could only muster four wins against 11 losses.
Two weeks into the 2016 campaign, Neshaminy already has two victories under its belt. They recently laid a 5-1 thumping on Pennsbury and followed up with a come-from-behind attack to defeat Central Bucks East 2-1. Coach Dugan’s charges currently sit in third place, a game behind Harry Truman. Council Rock South leads the pack with an unblemished 5-0 mark.
Rich Adami, Neshaminy wingman, feels his team has discovered the chemistry so necessary for success. “In terms of the league, we are a presence. In the beginning of the year, we didn’t start strong but the team is really gelling together and the last two games showed that. We beat Pennsbury 5-1. We haven’t had the easiest schedule but were really pulling together as a team. Things are starting to look good.”
Rich and his teammates entered their most recent match-up against Central Bucks East with cautious optimism. They believed in their ability but did not discount their opponent.
“We knew they were a good team going into it. It’s not a team you can sleep on. We knew if we played to our best ability, we could beat them. They gave us a good game and we gave them one back. We came out on top.”
After a scoreless first period, the Patriots drew first blood when Jason Cluckey shot a power play goal past Neshaminy goalie Steve Glik. Where last year’s version of Neshaminy hockey may have panicked, this year, the Redskins remained controlled. “We said don’t let them get in your head and don’t do stupid stuff and get penalties because you can’t win the game from the penalty box.”
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With 15:28 left in the third period, Jeremy Skeley scored off an assist from Anthony Sabatini, knotting the score at 1-1. Seven minutes later, Sabatini, Neshaminy’s leading scorer, took a pass from Nicholas Ruggero and zipped the puck by Patriot tender Zach Trega. From this point on, Neshaminy’s defense shut down any East attack. Goalie Steve Glik would end the night, recording 30 saves.
As a wing, Rich played a big part in the final defensive stands. “I play wing and basically what I do is I help break the puck out of our zone. I man the defense up at the point and wait for our team to get the puck. When we are at the other end, I stand in front of the net. I try to screen the goalie and get deflections. I’m kind of the gritty guy in front of the net blocking the goalie.”
In manning the wing position, Rich feels he is utilizing his real strengths. “The strongest part of my game is positioning or passing. I don’t have the strongest shot but I can get the puck to people.”
A three-year veteran of the ice hockey wars, Rich realizes he and his youthful teammates still have a lot to refine. “The toughest part to master was skating backwards. I still struggle with that today. You just have to practice. Every opportunity you get, you work on the little things you can get better at.”
Due to limited available ice time Neshaminy only gets to practice as a team one night a week. Rich, however, recognizes that most of the players are involved with other club teams. He has three additional workouts with the Grundy Grizzles in Bristol.
Rich is more than willing to give the extra effort to improve his prowess in the game he loves. “It’s a tough sport and that peaks your interest. Ever since I was little, I was interested. There’s something about the physical play, just the speed of it. Just the way it looks, makes it an awesome sport.”
Rich’s spirit seems to reflect the attitude of the whole Neshaminy team. They appear posed for a very solid year in the Suburban Hockey League.
