Despite injuries, Thomas Jefferson hockey off to strong start
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Thursday, November 16, 2017 | 11:00 PM
Thomas Jefferson is off to a 5-0 start in PIHL Class A. Yet the Jaguars think they can play even better once they have a full lineup.
Two of the team's top players — senior forward Matt Krieger, who was second on the team in scoring last year with 23 goals and 39 points, and senior captain Casey Bilski, a defenseman — have been limited with injuries early in the season.
“Injuries are something you have to deal with every year,” Thomas Jefferson coach Bill Crousey said. “This year, we have some depth and have been able to plug some different kids in.”
Depth is one of the team's strengths. When healthy, Thomas Jefferson could roll three forward lines in Joe Oliver, John Piscitelli and Krieger; Hayden Hintemeyer, John Rimsky and Kevin Koett; and freshmen Will O'Brien, Eddie Pazo and Roley Holzer. Hunter Fairman, Jared Rossi, Jake Schmidt and Luke Rayman have stepped into the lineup for a boost when called upon as well.
“We're getting some nice contributions from everyone,” Crousey said. “We haven't played a game yet this year with the lineup I envisioned having at the beginning of the season. In that respect, other kids have stepped up and done a real nice job. This is the first year we have had legitimate competition for ice time, which makes my job easier.”
The Jaguars play five or six regular defensemen in Brendan Crousey, Brandon Kibe, Eric Burnstein, Paul Chonko, Brady Rotolo and Bilski.
“They've done great, at times. We're working on them most with their consistency,” Bill Crousey said. “They seem to do a little bit better each game. Hopefully, towards the end when it really matters, they'll be at a high level every game.”
Once again, Thomas Jefferson has a new face between the pipes. Freshman Luke Ripepi is in his first year playing the position but has excelled with a 5-0 record and a 2.20 goals-against mark.
“It wouldn't be a T.J. hockey season without a first-year goaltender. This is my eighth year doing this and, three or four of those years, we've had someone fill in who had never played goalie before,” Bill Crousey said. “He knew this was coming, so he was working hard at it coming into this season. He's been making the saves he should make. The kids have done a great job supporting him.”
Last year, the Jaguars upset South Fayette, 5-4, in overtime in the Penguins Cup Class A quarterfinals. They nearly knocked off eventual champion Franklin Regional, too, but the Panthers escaped with a 6-4 win. Thomas Jefferson hopes to take another step this season.
“The kids found a way to play smarter hockey than some other teams. They got some confidence in doing that. That's what we're starting to do now. The kids are starting to get confidence in what we want to do as a team and are happy playing it,” Bill Crousey said. “Getting that far last year, the excitement was there and just playing in that game against Franklin Regional was great. Even though we lost, the kids had a great time. A lot of that had to do with the way they played and the respect they got from other teams playing that way. “
Joe Sager is a freelance writer.
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