NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Iona Prep’s hockey squad struggled through a trying 2013-14 season, going 4-18-3 under first-year coach Charles Berger.
What a difference a calendar year can make.
All those bumps and bruises have since faded and now the resurgent Gaels are the ones doling them out in 2014-15.
Iona Prep continued its promising turnaround on Wednesday evening against Rye. The undefeated Gaels (3-0) exploded for four third-period goals en route to a solid 4-2 victory over the Garnets at Playland Ice Casino.
“Our depth this year is incomparable to a lot of teams,” star forward Christian Van Hecke said. “Our first, second and third lines can all play.”
While Iona Prep has undoubtedly turned over a new leaf, Berger’s not counting his chickens just yet.
“It has yet to be determined,” the coach said. “We have played three games and have three wins, but we can’t be satisfied. We have to stay hungry. Every night with this schedule there’s a tough opponent. I’m looking forward to Friday and playing Notre Dame from Buffalo. We are moving in the right direction.”
And they are following the lead of Van Hecke, who zooms up and down the ice as if rocket launchers were strapped to his skates. The senior captain paced the offense against Rye with a goal and an assist.
“I don’t think there’s anyone that I’ve seen on the ice that’s faster than (Van Hecke),” Berger said. “The amazing thing about him is that as good a skater as he is, he’s an even better person and better leader. When he’s going, everyone gets up. When he does something good, everyone is ready to get his back and do something the next shift. It is just great.”
Van Hecke picked his teammates up with 9:36 left in regulation, potting a shorthanded breakaway goal to boost Iona Prep’s lead to 3-1. It was a quick and devastating response to Rye, which had made it 2-1 a minute earlier behind a power-play goal from Derek Mullane.
Positioned at the point, Van Hecke blocked a shot and chased down the puck before smoothly depositing it into the back of the net.
“Basically, that’s our plan every time,” Van Hecke said, detailing the penalty-kill that led to the goal. “Either myself or my other penalty-killer gets right on the (opposing player at the point) to try and block that shot and break out. With the speed we have on this team, it’s every time trying to break out and get that shorthanded goal. That’s what has been giving us leads in these games and keeping us up.”
Frankie Wedge and Luke Damiano helped Iona Prep snap a 0-0 stalemate, burying back-to-back goals early in the third period.
Still, the Gaels were far from home free. They dealt with penalty issues over the final 15 minutes of action, allowing the Garnets to hang around and make things interesting down the stretch. Tommy O’Brien converted a power-play opportunity to trim the deficit to 3-2 with 8:09 left in regulation. Alas, Iona Prep’s Jake Trotta ended the suspense with under a minute left, flipping in an empty-net goal to seal it.
“We got a little out of control all over the ice, but in the end — even though Rye got a couple on the power play — we were able to shut them down when we needed to,” Berger said.
Rye — which is off to an 0-2 start — showed exceptional grit but eventually succumbed to Iona Prep’s overall combination of skill, speed and size.
“Ultimately, we are still a work in progress,” first-year coach Peter Thomas said. “I do see some good things, but we need to gel more and play a more unselfish team game. Once that starts to happen, I think we will be able to get some wins.”
For Iona Prep, the wins have been a long time coming. And those around the program have started to take notice.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be in front of all these fans and have the support from our school this year,” Van Hecke said. “It just gives you the energy to go out there, have fun and win games. It energizes you.”
GAME NOTES: Wednesday marked Rye’s first home game at Playland in over two years. The Ice Casino was knocked out of commission following Superstorm Sandy … Prior to the start of the game, Rye honored former player Peter Collins (Class of 2013), who passed away in July. The Collins Cup was also revealed. According to Rye’s website, it will be awarded annually to the team’s most spirited player.