John Jay Hockey Ready for Playoffs

Excellent goaltending, strong defense and timely scoring.

It's a simple formula, but it's allowed John Jay hockey to carry a seven-game winning streak against Section 1 teams into the Division II sectional tournament. John Jay, the No. 2 seed, will play its first game of the postseason at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Brewster Ice Arena in a quarterfinal.

The Indians are 9-0 playing at the Brewster Ice Arena this season.

"They weren't sure what kind of team they were going to be for awhile," said coach Alex Smith, who returned this season to coach after leaving the Indians in 2001. "Once we settled into the formula of defensive play first and score enough goals to win some games, we got into a comfort level with that particular style of play. We really try to play within our abilities."

Playing in a tough power league, the Indians went just 4-20-1 last year, which provided plenty of motivation for this season.

"It took a little while for the guys to get some confidence," Smith said. "But from the start of the season they were pretty serious about having a better season than last year."

Smith said the key game may have been against Somers/North Salem on Dec. 16. The Indians trailed 2-0 in the second period but scored three unanswered goals to win.

"That was a building block, just to get the sense that we have that ability to stay in there," Smith said.

Senior co-captain Scott Turecamo said that while the talent may not be the same, the chemistry is better than with last year's group. Besides stellar goaltending from Mike Ott and solid defense, the Indians have to two solid forward lines and even a good third line. Anyone is capable of poking in a goal at a crucial time.

"There's not really that one star on the team," Turecamo said. "Everyone knows they have that specific role to help the team win, and that makes winning easier than just relying on one or two guys."

The players also focus on the simple things—staying out of the penalty box, being responsible in front of the net and getting the puck deep.

Senior co-captain Nathaniel Kaplan, who made it to the sectional final his freshman year, thinks that this team has what it takes to get back.

"My freshman year we had one of the most talented teams John Jay has ever had, but this year our chemistry's so good and we're just a more grinding, hard-working team," Kaplan said. "I think we could definitely do it."