A season-opening loss to first-year Bedford not withstanding, Marc Noel maintains the highest expectations for his squad this season.

Indeed, the Pembroke Academy ice hockey coach returns nearly the entire lot of players from a squad that reached the playoffs last year.

“I think the returning core is solid, and considering my team this year is really no different from last year’s, minus (standout) Jordan McCray, of course, there’s really no reason why these guys can’t step it up a notch,” said Noel.

The next logical step is a trip to the Division III title game, a goal he said is well within reach.

The Spartans proved their resilience by bouncing back from the 2-1 Bedford setback on Dec. 17 and crushing Laconia on the road, 7-0, on Saturday, Dec. 20.

It certainly helped to have first-string goaltender Zach Gagnon, who missed the opener, back in net. Freshman forward Steve Gilpatrick filled in admirably and proved a reliable fallback, stopping 11 Bedford shots, but Noel said Gagnon’s senior experience provides the Spartans with a distinct advantage each time they take the ice.

Another senior, Doug Turnbull, earned honorable mention recognition on last year’s all-state squad, and Noel said he should be a shoe-in for first- or second- team distinction if he stays healthy and maintains the level of play he exhibited in 2007.

Jennifer Poulin, who scored PA’s lone goal against Bedford, is as good if not better than many of her male opponents and is being scouted by Division II and III colleges to play women’s hockey next year.

Junior forward Victor Ranfos is another key component in front of the net, while senior Billy Barnett and junior Jamison Syphers lock down the blue line.

Marc Racine and Corey Pinsonneault complete a solid senior class, and junior Joey Allen returns to the team after missing last season and is expected to contribute nightly.

Also seeing varsity ice time this year are junior Syd Parker and sophomores Ryan Mitchell and Lucas Connor.

Because Noel has less players, and less lines available, than many of his D-III foes, he said all the players must continue to play within the system if PA is to reach its full potential.

“I’m very happy to see them react to this system the way they have. I mean, they limited Bedford to 13 shots. If we can keep teams below 20 each time out and reinforce our goaltending effort, we have a real chance,” said Noel. “I’ve coached a lot of hockey teams through the years (including 10 years at the high school level), and this particular group of kids, in my opinion, wants to learn and wants to win more than any other group I’ve had. I’ve never seen a team play with this much heart.”