by Carly Deliman

After reaching the State Tournament last year and getting knocked out in the first round, the Barrons Ice Hockey team came into the 2014-2015 season with something to prove. While largely intact from last season, the Barrons will have to make adjustments to get their game going.

The season began with question marks for the club. Having graduated goalie and assistant captain Richie Bernat, the position was assumed by senior Lenny Schnee. In his debut at the position last season, Schnee earned his first career shutout against an overmatched Scotch Plains-Fanwood team who mustered 11 shots on goal over two periods of play, as the game ended in a mercy ruling, the final score 10-0.

While confidence was born, Coach Rotella brought in freshman goalie Adam Godfrey. “We’re going to anoint him through trial by fire,” Rotella said. The gamble has played off, and through his first three games of the season, Godfrey’s save percentage was at an impressive 0.840%.

The number doesn’t tell the whole story, however. In their sixth game of the season, the Barrons were up against a stacked St. Joseph’s team, notorious for their hockey program. The game ended after two periods of play with the Barrons taking the loss, 0-13.

While Godfrey has been a bright spot on this young team, their offense has also been impressive. Senior captain and forward Bobby Mulligan snagged the school’s all-time assists record, and through the end of December, Mulligan has nine assists on the young season.

But records or padding personal stats aren’t the prizes the team is after. In fact, assistant captain and forward Hunter Spearnock doesn’t even know how many goals he has. “I don’t know, I just show up and play,” he said. With that mentality, the Barrons hope to make States again.

Mulligan said he believes they can make it, that they have more to offer. “We just need to work as a team to bring out that potential,” he said

Potential clearly lies in his assistant captains, junior Nick Kuchie and the aforementioned Hunter Spearnock. Spearnock grabbed himself a hat trick against an overmatched Edison Township team on December 10th, and Kuchie has adjusted well to his new position, having transitioned from defense to offense.

“We thought that my talent was being wasted on defense, and we really did need a good power forward, so I stepped up to the plate,” Kuchie said.

With the loss of Kuchie on defense, senior Sean Brody, and sophomores DJ Schnee and Darren Sopp, have been outstanding at providing support for their new goalies. In fact, the Barrons’ penalty kill has been a large part of their success in spite of the penalties they’ve taken this season.

Given the amount of games left, the team hopes to turn it around, looking to all players to contribute. Coach Rotella said, “If you are part of the team, you should have the mentality to do the best that you can.”

So far, junior Michael Parfitt has made strides in his effort, netting two goals and earning two assists against Edison. Senior Nick Bauer has also been a pleasant surprise, showing a good understanding of the game with some excellent plays, and two goals.

But the Barrons will need all hands on deck to make the State Tournament for a third year in a row. Until then, they’ll have to continue to “show up and play.”