Saugus boys hockey seeks to sustain momentum

The Saugus hockey team had its struggles at times last season, but the Sachems found their way into the Division 2 North tournament for the first time under Chris Connors.Facing a talented Newburyport team, the Sachems hung with the Clippers into the third period without leading scorer Mike Scuzzarella, but eventually fell to the North semifinalists.The Sachems head into this season looking to sustain the momentum of that playoff appearance and Connors will have 14 returning skaters from that team for 2008-09.”As coaches, we’re excited,” Connors said. “We have a lot of optimism and are trying to carry over the positives from last season.”Saugus will have to replace Scuzzarella, who led the team in points before suffering a broken wrist late in the regular season. But the Sachems still have plenty of players who can put the puck in the net.Leading the Saugus offense will be senior co-captain Joe Vecchione, who shared the team lead in points with Scuzzarella. Vecchione provided several critical goals in the Sachems’ run to the states last season, and Connors is pleased to have him back.”He’s a no-nonsense type. He gets the job done in front of the net,” Connors said.Joining him on the first line will be senior assistant captain Matt Fraser and sophomore Ralph Pagliucca.The second line will have Steve Groark centering Anthony Cacuzza and Tom DiFraia. All three saw significant ice time last season. The Sachems’ third unit will feature Mike Kotowski centering Saige Tait and Kurt Rodrigues.Tait and Rodrigues are part of a freshman class that Connors calls the best in his four years at Saugus.”It’s phenomenal,” Connors said about his ninth-graders. “We realize that it will take a few games to get the machine going, so we’re going to be patient.”The blue line may be where the Sachems are the most experienced, as four defensemen return from a unit that was among the NEC’s best by season’s end last year.Derek Stretton, co-captain with Vecchione, had 13 points last season, and at 6-5, he poses a large obstacle for opposing forwards. Tyler Calla joins him on the Sachems’ top defensive pair, and at 6-3, he also provides a challenge in the Saugus zone.Paul Andrews and Steve Spinney are the other two returnees, with freshman Dan Groark and A.J. Guthro also expected to see time.”We’re going to preach a defense-first approach,” Connors said.In goal, Connors will go with either Brad Rocheville or highly-touted freshman Nick Haggerty, who spurned several prep schools to stay in Saugus.The Sachems open the season next Saturday at Rockett Arena in Salem against Division 3 North champion Marblehead.”I think the league will have even more parity than it did last season,” Connors said. “It will be whichever team shows up and plays, and who can stay healthy, that will have success.”Saugus’ non-conference schedule includes the annual Christmas tournament against Boston Latin and St. Mary’s and/or Lynnfield, and a return to the Newburyport Bank Ice Hockey Classic, as well as a regularly-scheduled game with the Spartans on Jan. 26 at Connery Rink.”It’s going to be nice. Coach (Mark) Lee and I both felt that we wanted to put a good product on the ice, and it will be a game to see,” Connors said.