Spectators and players alike continued to acquaint themselves with a new-look hockey squad Sunday night in the team’s only preseason game against the University of New Brunswick.
“Our goal was to try and begin to understand how we want to play,” said Head Coach Jim Montgomery. “The good thing was, our effort was there all three periods. We were watching a little bit, especially the first 30 minutes. In the last period we really established how we want to pressure pucks when we don’t have them.”
The Pioneer hockey squad fell behind by a two goal margin in the first period, and eventually lost to visiting New Brunswick 2-1 in their first and only preseason contest. The visiting Varsity Reds, a team that won its fourth University Cup in seven years last season, were out-shot by the Pios 38-21. The Pios also piled on 19 shots in a scoreless third period.
“The third period is a step in the right direction to how we want to play, and that’s how we had a lot of offensive zone time and a lot of power play,” Montgomery said.
The Pioneers were on the power play 4 separate occasions during the first period, but couldn’t take advantage, and went 0 for 11 overall on the power-play.
Instead of cashing in on man-advantage opportunities, the Pios chose to score short-handed. Junior Daniel Doremus scored the only goal for the Pios at 10:32 in the second period. A New Brunswick player missed a one-timer shot on during their 5-on-3 advantage, allowing the puck to scoot out to center ice where Doremus corralled it and went on to flick a backhand past Varsity Reds goaltender Charles Lavigne.
“Offensively there were some guys that did some really good things,” Montgomery added. “I thought Ty Loney was all over the puck, and we saw Trevor Moore’s skill a couple of times. As a whole, we didn’t generate enough. But that’s normal, it was a little bit hectic, a Chinese fire drill out there.”
The Pioneers had their share of penalties, racking up 16 penalty minutes through three periods of play.
“I think two or three of those penalties were unnecessary,” Montgomery stated. “[It’s] something we have to address, but that’s why it’s great to have this exhibition game. Because emotions get high in that first game, and we have to learn to control our emotions better.”
Senior Goalie Sam Brittain helped keep the game close, making 15 saves on 17 shots through two periods. Freshman Evan Cowley stepped in and made four saves in the third period.
“I was really happy with Sam Brittain,” Montgomery said. “The two goals he let in, he had no chance, he was screened on both, and he was very solid swallowing the puck and not giving up any rebounds.”
The Pios will open the season in a two-game set against Merrimack College this weekend, with the first game on Friday. Merrimack is currently un-ranked by the United States College Hockey Organization (USCHO) and sits on the outskirts of the Top 20 poll.
