Saugus hockey feeling optimistic for 2007-08

Last season proved to be a frustrating one for the Saugus hockey team.The Sachems played with the big boys of the Northeastern Conference but suffered five one-goal losses and three others that were decided by empty-net goals en route to a 5-14-2 record.”For two years, we’ve made progress,” Sachems coach Chris Connors said. “But the record is not indicative of how competitive we’ve played.”This season, however, the Sachems are set up to make a run at returning to the postseason for the first time in two seasons as 16 players return from last year to provide a nucleus of experience.”Our strength certainly is going to be our senior leadership,” Connors said. “These kids are eager to gain some respect and are sick and tired of moral victories. They want to prove that they can compete with these teams.”Leading the returnees is a pair of Northeastern Conference all-stars in forward Mike Scuzzarella and goaltender Paul Essery.Scuzzarella, who came to fame as a member of the Saugus American Little League team that went to the Little League World Series, had a breakout year in 2006-07. Moving to the first line, Scuzzarella led the Sachems in scoring with 14 goals and 16 assists for 30 points.For Essery, the year began with him as the backup goalie. But by season’s end, Essery had recorded three shutouts and was named to the conference all-star team.”We are very lucky to have a goalie like Paul and a player like Mike,” Connors said.Returning to join Scuzzarella on the Sachems’ first line are senior Ryan McManus (6-6-12) and junior Joe Vecchione (4-7-11), who saw plenty of time against the NEC’s best forwards.The second line will be comprised of center Matt Fraser and wingers Steve Groark and freshman Ralph Paglucca.”We really need those guys to step up to be successful,” Connors said.The experience also trickles down to the blue line, where the Sachems return all five defensemen who logged plenty of minutes last season.Seniors Justin Chiulli and Craig Cooper usually drew the assignment of playing against the opposing team’s top line while juniors Derek Stretton and Tyler Calla found their stride midway through the season. Sophomore Paul Andrews also returns after seeing extensive time as a freshman.But Connors does know that his team has one glaring weakness.”It comes down to that this group hasn’t won the big game to get us over the hill,” Connors said. “And once they do that, I think that it will make things a lot easier, and as a coaching staff, we’re excited about our team this season.”The Sachems will be in action on Saturday at Rockett Arena in Salem for the Salem State College hockey jamboree against Cape Ann League power Triton.”That is going to be a good benchmark for us to see how we can compete,” Connors said about the game with the Vikings.Saugus opens the regular season slate on Dec. 12 with a home game against Marblehead, the Sachems’ first game as a member of the NEC’s South division. They also host Revere and the combined Lynn team in the first four games, which additionally feature a trip to Talbot Rink in Gloucester for a date with the Fishermen.”There is a lot of parity in the conference this season. It’s going to come down to who shows up to play,” Connors said.