The men’s hockey team struggled in the month of December, going 1-2-1. But against quality opponents on the road, they learned a lot about their potential and their talented rookie netminders. Battling to a pair of close losses (a 3-2 defeat to national powerhouse and 11th-ranked Norwich University, and a 3-1 loss to top-ranked St. Norbert College), rookie Cole Anderson averaged 30 saves and gave the Jeffs a chance to win both games. Not to be outdone, teammate and fellow first-year Jonathan LaRose made 30 stops of his own in a 3-1 victory over 13th ranked Oswego State University.
The spectacular goaltending from the rookies early in the winter season provided the spark for an explosive January for the Jeffs. “Cole and LaRose played really well early in the season despite not having any games under their belts,” said senior forward Gregg Adamo. “They keep us in games and give us a chance to beat any team in the country.”
The Amherst offense began to pick up its play during a weekend sweep over UMass-Boston and 10th-ranked Babson College in mid-January. Leading the production were sophomores Keith Nelson and Jack Baer. During the nine-goal weekend, each of them netted a pair of goals. Baer is known for his lightning-quick speed on the ice, which creates chances during the transition game and numerous even-strength opportunities. Nelson, who missed nearly his entire rookie season with a knee injury, gets it done through talented play with the puck, which has led to his three tallies on the power-play.
Amherst’s junior class has been stellar as well. Leading the team in points has been second-year transfer Joel Covelli. Covelli has eight goals and nine assists this season, including two game-winning goals in NESCAC games. Covelli notched a hat-trick last Tuesday against Hamilton College and followed that up with a two-goal performance against University of Southern Maine.
On the blue line, fellow junior Jeff Landers has played exceptionally well, dishing out 10 assists and scoring a pair of goals. Landers and fellow junior defensemen Shane Lennox and Rylan Burns have logged a lot of minutes for Amherst and contributed on both ends of the rink. Burns and Lennox each noted that this team has the potential to play with any team in the country. “We outplayed Oswego and had a third period lead against the best team in the country [St. Norbert],” said Burns. “If we continue to play hard and show up, we can have a great season,” noted Lennox.
As with most successful teams, though, things begin and end with the senior class. This season might be the best for the class as a whole. Senior co-captain Kyle Schoppel is off to another steady start, with 10 goals, while fellow co-captain Rob Stevenson ’08 has been stalwart at the point. Linemates Adamo and Mike McIntosh ’08 have combined for seven goals and 14 assists, balancing the Jeffs’ offensive punch.
“We have a really talented class, and everyone is playing well this season,” said Adamo. “Our goal isn’t to do well individually, though. We want to win games and compete for the NESCAC Championship.”
This past weekend, the Jeffs split a road ECAC East weekend with Castleton State University and Skidmore College. On Friday night, Amherst responded to an early two-goal deficit when Nelson and McIntosh each tallied a goal. But a pair of unanswered goals in the third period gave Castleton the 4-2 victory and left the Jeffs with a three-game winless streak.
The next day, Amherst responded with a 5-3 victory over Skidmore in which it led from start to finish. LaRose picked up the victory while Adamo’s two goals and Landers’ three assists paved the way for the Jeffs’ offense.
From the freshmen through the seniors, the team has found a great deal of balance on their roster. They expect contributions from every player that steps on the ice, be they between the pipes, at the blue line, or trying to put the puck in the net.