SALEM – There is no better way to figure out a team’s capabilities
– or shortcomings – than with a tough preseason schedule. And the Salem hockey
squad should discover more answers than questions before the first two weeks
run out.
The Blue Devils are finding their optimism is well placed
after winning their fourth consecutive game with a 5-2 victory over Lewiston,
Maine, yesterday at the Icenter. It was the first of the four matches Salem will
play before Sunday’s end of the 14th annual Tuscan Kitchen Blue Devil Classic.
“Some teams play two, one, three or four (games),” McGinn
said of the tournament which includes 15 New England teams. “It just worked out
we have four this year. After the last game (of the Classic against Greely,
Maine, on Sunday) we’ll have played seven games in the first 14 days (of the
season).
“But we’re playing hockey games and we’ll find out what we
have by the time it’s done.”
What McGinn is discovering is the Blue Devils have enough
talent to improve on last year’s 11-8-3 team that lost in the state quarters.
In its four outings, Salem has outscored its opponents by a combined 15-7.
“We’re a pretty good team,” said McGinn, the program’s only
coach in its 15th campaign. “We’ve got some speed. We play pretty solid
defensively. My goaltender’s been doing well, so now we just have to stay
healthy.”
Sam MacDonald has handled all the goaltending so far this
season. Yesterday, he allowed a pair of second-period goals, but shut down
Lewiston during a third period that saw the Blue Devils increase their 3-2 advantage.
The junior goalie had 19 saves, including three in the final 2 minutes.
“We’re doing real well right now,” said MacDonald, in his
first year starting. “We have a winning streak, so we’re just trying to build
up on the momentum we have. We lost a few star players (from graduation), but
the second and third lines have really stepped it up. Depth and speed is what’s
really helping us right now.”
Kyle Svenson led the Salem offense, scoring twice in the
second – the first one providing a 3-0 advantage. John Gray and Kyle Nagri both
netted goals in the first period, while Austin Blair potted the goal that extended
the Devil lead to 4-2. Nagri also had two assists.
“On the power play we moved the puck pretty well,” McGinn
said. “We scored on one of two (chances), but we had a lot of opportunities.
Penalty killing is a work in progress.”
Salem also plays St. Dominic’s Academy today at 4:30 p.m. and
Mansfield, Mass., at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Other area teams in the Classic are
Londonderry, which dropped a 3-1 decision to Lewiston yesterday, Pinkerton, Timberlane and
Windham/Pelham.
