Ice sculpture - Second-year coach creates different atmosphere at rink

Hooksett Editor — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 15:54:00 GMT

BY MATT STOUT

HENNIKER – There are those who talk of being different, and there are those who simply are. The Pembroke hockey team is proving itself the latter in this young season.

A year removed from a 4-14 mark and five removed from its first and last playoff appearance, the Spartans are after more than just goals and assists in Division III this season.

Armed with young talent, advanced systems and a defensive core that’s the base of it all, Pembroke coach Marc Noel is in search of a new culture and a postseason berth in his second season behind the bench.

A single win – a 7-3 victory over Monadnock on Dec. 13 – and one hard-fought loss – a 6-5 setback at John Stark on Friday, Dec. 15 – entering a game vs. Somerswoth on Wednesday, Dec. 20, don’t ultimately illustrate that. But it’s a start.

Last season, Pembroke walked away from Lee Clement Arena as 10-0 losers to Stark. On Friday, it erased deficits of 2-0, 3-2 and 5-4 before a Generals short-handed goal with 2:27 to play sank its hopes of an early season upset.

It was a “small victory,” Noel said, but perhaps a bigger sign of things to come.

“We have a different team this year,” said Noel, the coach at Goffstown before coming to Pembroke. “These guys traditionally have had losing seasons for a number of a years and part of me being here the last two years is trying to undo that. It’s not OK to lose. You want to play to win, and you want to play hard. And these guys played hard tonight.”

In changing the face of the program, Noel has kept an eye on the broad spectrum while fine-tuning the details. He’s introduced college-based systems into this team’s play, meaning Pembroke’s creating more movement around the net with the hopes of creating more offensive opportunities.

Oddly enough, Pembroke’s best offense starts with its defense, Noel said.

Led by senior defensemen Evan McGarry and Ryan D’Entrement, sophomore Doug Turnbull and freshman standout Jamison Syphers, the Spartans work from their own end out. Still, even without what Noel would classify as a pure scorer, they’re relying on a number of forwards to clean up “in the trenches.”

Senior captain Tyler Rumfelt has taken the lead so far, scoring four times against Monadnock and once more against Stark, but he’s not alone. Sophomore Jen Poulin scored twice on Friday, V.J. Ranfos scored once and linemate Jordan MacRae assisted on Rumfelt’s score.

Poulin’s linemates, Alex Ari and J.R. Jarnigan, are also expected to contribute, along with third-liners Corey Pinsonneault, Matt Sweeney and Adam Gray.

The goalies, sophomore Zachary Gagnon and senior Torin Barker, are currently splitting time in net, but Noel said he hopes one of the two asserts himself as the season continues.

The Spartans have a different dynamic this year, Noel said, and with officials tightening up on interference calls, PA is doing what it takes to stay out of the penalty box and in line for that coveted playoff spot.

“We used to be all nasty and very, very in the penalty box all the time, but now we’re out of that, pushing hard and playing strong, being physical,” Poulin said. “We always want to win, but you don’t go in thinking you’re just gonna (win).”

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Ice sculpture - Second-year coach creates different atmosphere at rink